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THE STORY 



OF 



OUR REGIMENT 



A HISTORY 



OF THE 



148th PENNSYLVANIA VOLS. 



WRITTEN BY THE COMRADES 



ADJT J. W. MUFFLY, EDITOK. 



* 



19 4 

THE KENYON PRINTING ir MFG. CO 

DES MOINES, lOV/A 



5 



(4« 



Utv. 



LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies fiecejved 

JAN 3 1905 

CSopyriijni tniry 

I CU^ C<. XXc. Noi 
j 9 V 6'^^ 



COPY B. 



Copyrighted August 18, 1904, 

3y The Regimental Association of Thi 

148T1I Pennsylvania Volunteers. 



^^'^ //<^3 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PAGES 

Preface 9-12 

J. W. Muffly. 

Why? 13-14 

James A. Beaver. 

The Itinerary 15-22 

J. W. Muffly and T. P. Meyer. 

Assignments 23-26 

J. W. Muffly. 

Battles and Skirmishes 27-28 

J. W. Muffly. 

Introduction to the Citizen's Story 29-30 

Gen. Beaver. 

The Citizen's Story 31-38 

Hon. H. N. McAllister. 

The Sister's Story 39-45 

Mrs. Sophie Keller Hall 

The Brigade Commander's Story — Parti . . . . . 46-47 

General Brooke. 

The Brigade Commander's Story — Part II 48-57 

General Mulholland. 

The Colonel's Story 58-140 

James A. Beaver. 

Chapter I. From organization of the regiment to the 

front 58-69 

Chapter II, Winter Quarters 1862. 1863, to return from 

Chancellorsville 70-90 

Chapter III. The Campaigns of 1865 and 1864 • . 91-115 

Chapter IV. The Campaign of 1864 115-140 

Lieutenant Colonel Fairlamb . 141 

Sketch by Frank E. Bible. 

The Lieutenant Colonel's Story and Story of Com- 
pany B 143-164 

By James F. Weaver. 

Sketch of David H. Swyers of Company B . . . . 165 

By Mrs. McMullan. 

The Surgeon's Story — Parti 166-180 

Dr. A. T, Hamilton. 

The Surgeon's Story — Part II . 181-190 

Dr. C. P. W. Fisher. 

Story of the Chaplain 191-227 

Emory M. Stevens. 
a 



The Adjutant's Story 228-281 

J. W. Muffly 

The Quartermaster's Story 282-286 

S. D. Musser. 

The Ambulance Officer's Story 287-301 

Capt. J. H. Harpster 

The Story of the Drum Corps — Part 1 308-513 

R. A Cassidy. 

The Drum Corps Part II 314-322 

Wm. P. Harpster. 

The Drum Corps -Part III 322-328 

Nathaniel Beerly. 

The Drum Corps Part IV 329-334 

J. B. Holloway. 

Story of the Headquarter Clerk and Sergeant 

Major 335-356 

Adjutant Charles A. Ramsey. 

The Prisoner's Story — Part I. 360-365 

George A. Bayard. 

The Prisoner's Story — Part II . 366-414 

T. P. Meyer. 

The Prisoner's Story — Part III 415-420 

H. K. Miller. 

The Prisoner's Story — Part IV. 421-424 

John W. Biddle. 

The Prisoner's Story — Part V 425-433 

James F. McNoidy. 

The Corporal's Story 434-450 

G. G. Walters. 

The Pioneer's Story 451-481 

Sergeant Thos. P. Meyer. 

The Teamster's Story. . 482-492 

iData by Comrades Bryan. Billet. Garrett and Flack.) 

The Private's Story and Story of Company A. . . 493-564 

Henry Meyer. 

The Story of Co. A — Supplement 565-567 

T. p. Meyer. 

Sketch of Lieutenant S. M. Spangler 568 

The Story of Co. C Part 1 569-579 

The Story of Co. C Part II 580-581 

Martin Funk. 

The Story of Co. C. Part III 582-585 

A. L. Whitehill. 

The Story of Co. C Part IV 596-597 

E. B, Walter. 

4 



The Story of Co. G Part V • 598-608 

Lemuel Osman. 

The Story of Co. C Supplement 609 

James Knox. 

Sketch of Lieutenant W. H. Bible 610-614 

Frank E. Bible 

Sketch of Lieutenant F. Stevenson 615 

The Story of Co. D— Part I 616-638 

Wm. Gemmill. 

The Story of Co. D Part 11 . 659-643 

L. D. Kurtz. 

The Story of Co. D Part 111 644-649 

H. C. Campbell. 

The Story of Co. D -Part IV 650-655 

D. H. Young. 

The Story of Go. E • • 656-669 

Compiled. 

The Story of Co. F 6^0-690 

Compiled. 

Sketch of Captain W. P. Wilson • • 691-692 

The Story of Co. G — Introduction 693 

The Editor. 

The Story of Co. G— Part 1 • • 694-711 

James J. Patterson. 

Sketch of Lieutenant John W. Stuart 712-714 

The Story of Co. G — Part 111 715-722 

D. W. Miller. 

The Story of Co. H 723-745 

T. W. Myton and D. W. Woodring. 

The Story of the Drafted Men and Substitutes . 746-754 
T. W. Myton and D. W. Woodring, 

The Story of Company I — Part 1 755-765 

Adjutant J. E. Hall. 

The Story of Company I — Part II 766-769 

Corporal J. B. Rumbaugh. 

The Story of Company I —Part III 770-775 

1. J. Grenoble 

The Story of Co. 1 — Part IV 776-787 

R. M. Wadding. 

The Story of Company 1 788-794 

R. B. Lyle. 

The Youngest Man Supplennent to Company I story . 795-796 

The Story of Company K Part 1 797-799 

Brevet Major J. Z Brown. 



The Story of Company K Part II 800-808 

Compiled. 

The Story OF Company K Part III '809-810 

Dennis Conner. 

Supplement— Sketch of the Sloan Boys and Ser- 
geant Sloan"s Last Letter 811-815 

Tribute to Captain Core 814-815 

R. H. Forster. 

In The Hospital— Part I 816-818 

D. W. Woodring. 

In The Hospital— Part II 819-834 

Henry Meyer. 

The Story of a One-armed Man 835-842 

T. W. Myton. 

Po River and Spotsylvania — Part 1 843-845 

R. H. Forster. 

Po River and Spotsylvania — Part II 846-853 

J. W. Muffly. 

Po River and Spotsylvania - Part III 864-865 

1. N. Sloan. 

Po River and Spotsylvania — Part IV 866 

J. W. Allen. 

Po River and Spotsylvania — Part V 867 

J. E. McCartney. 

Sketch of Major R. H. Forster 868-870 

Pennsylvania Days at Gettysburg • ■ 870-885 

Address by Major R. H. Forster at Dedication of 148th 
Monument. 

Camp FiRE^Part I 886-887 

J K. P. Ward. 

Camp Fire— Part II 887-890 

T. W, Myton. 

Camp Fire- Part 111 . • • 890 

John M. English. 

Camp Fire Part IV 891-892 

J B HoUoway. 

Camp Fire- Part V 893 

Leinuel H. Osman 

Camp Fire Part VI 893-896 

John Craig. 

Camp Fire Part VII 895 

Daniel G Farley. 

Gamp Fire— Part VIII 896-889 

John C Sowers. 

Official Reports and Orders 899-918 

Three Hundred Fighting Regiments 919-920 

From Col. Wm. F. Fox's "Regimental Losses " 
u 



STATISTICS. 

Roster of Field and Staff 921-925 

Roster of Comrany A . . • • 925-958 

Roster of Gombany B 939-948 

Roster of Company G 949-959 

Roster of Gompany D . 959-969 

Roster of Gompany E 970-980 

Roster of Gompany F 980-988 

Roster of Gompany G 988-1002 

Roster of Gompany H 1003-1017 

Roster of Gompany I . 1018-1026 

Roster of Gompany K 1029-1037 

Casualties 1038-1087 

Killed in Battle 1038-1049 

Wounded 1049-1066 

Prisoners 1066-1071 

Died 1071-1087 

List of Survivors 1087-1096 



INDEX TO ENGRAVINGS. 



James A. Beaver , Frontispiece '■ 

The Vaughn Family, great grand 
children of Comrade Edward 

D. Jones, of H Co 1 2 • 

A. G. Curtin 26 ^' 

H. N. McAllister 30/ 

General Officers of the Army. 
Corps, Division and Brigade . 
Maj.-Gen.Winfield S. Hancock, Gen 
John G. Caldwell. Gen. Francis C. 
Barlow. Gen. Nelson A. Miles, 
Gen. John R. Brooke. Gen. St. Glair 
A. Mulhulland. 

Maj.-Gen. A. E. Burnside . . . 56" 

Maj. -Gen. Joseph Hooker . . 56 

Maj.-Gen. G. K. Warren ... 56 

Field Officers 148th Pa. Vols . . 72- 

Lieut. -Col. Robt. McFarlane, Lieut. - 

Col. James F. Weaver. Lieut. -Col. 

Geo. A. Fairlamb, Col. James A. 



Beaver. Major Silas J. Marlin. 
Major Robert H. Forster, Major Geo. 
A. Bayard. 

Officers and Men of Co. B 

Lieut. James E. McCartney. Lieut. 
David H. Swyers, Capt. James F. 
Weaver, Lieut. Wm. D. Harper, 
Sergt. Constance Barger. J. W. Sun- 
day. 



■^S- Staff Officers 148th Pa. Vols. 



52 



168 



Lieut. John G. Kurtz, Rev. Wm. H. 
Stevens. Chaplain. Lieut. S. D. Mus- 
ser, Lieut. C. P. W. Fisher. Major 
U. Q. Davis, Lieut. A. T. Hamilton. 
Lieut. J. W. Muffly, Adjutant. Lieut. 
C. A. Ramsay, Adjutant. 

Adjutant Joseph W. Muffly. . . 228 
Rev John H. Harpster. D. D. . 288 

The Non-Commissioned Staff . . 304 
Wm. H. Mayes. Joseph W. Muffly, 
Wm. G. Devinney. Joseph E. Hall. 



Major-Gen. George G 
The Drum Corps 512 

Wm. P Harpster. Samuel D. Otto. 
R. A. Cassidy. L. B. Bathurst. J. H. 
Law. 
The Drum Corps 320' 

S. Mottarn. Joseph A Arthers, D. N. 
Henry. A. R. Courson. T. C. Rum- 
barger. Frank G. Mattern. Nathaniel 
Bierly. 

J. B. Holloway 528 

Hon. C A. Ramsay . . 336 
T. P. Meyer. Sergt. Co. A . . 568. 
"Castle Thunder" Prison. Rich- 
mond, Va . . . . . 570 
Libby Prison. Richmond. Va. . . 572 
Washington Watson ... 456 

Henry Meyer ■ 492 

Commissioned Officers of Co. A., 496 

Lieut. S. S. Wolf. Lieut. S. M. Spang- 
ler. Lieut. W. W. Bierly. Capt. R. H. 
Forster. Capt. John L. Johnston, 
Lieut. E. J. Burkert, Lieut. Daniel E. 
Shaffer, Lieut. J. I. Jones. 

Six Men of Co. A ... 504 

Thomas E. Royer. Jesse Long, Corp. 
Benjamin Beck. Corp. Henry Meyer, 
John Clapham. Henry J. Grouse. 

William Otto 550 

Men of Co. A 552^ 

Charles Beirly. Solomon Bierly. Levi 
Boob, Solomon Dale, William Meyer, 
Thomas G. Weirick, Sergt. John A. 
Miller, Samuel R. Gettig. 

The Seven Martyrs of Co. C 580' 

Lieut. William Bible, Lieut. Francis 
Stevenson, Capt. Jacob B. Edmonds. 
Capt. Robert M. Forster. Capt. Sam- 
uel Everhart, Lieut. J. S- Lander, 
Lieut. D. G. Ralston. 

Officers and Men of Co C 584' 

Capt. W. E. Graham, Sergt. E. B. 
Walter. Corp. James K. P. Ward, 
Lemuel Osman. 

Officers of Co D .616 

Capt. A. A. Rhinehart, Lieut. Wm. 
Gemmill, Lieut. John A. Burchfield. 
Capt. A. Musser, Lieut. L. D. Kurtz. 
Lieut. L. C. Edmunds. 



J. J, Fleming . . 
Three Men of Co D 



652 

658 



Henry C. Campbell, D. H. Young. 
Alien B. Cross. 

Brothers, all of Co D and G 648 

Samuel Holloway, Corp. D. C. Hol- 
loway. William P. Holloway. 
John H. Fortney. David F. Fortney. 

John E. Reed. Reuben Reed. 

(Co. G). 



Lieut J. E. Thomas, Co. D. 



648 



Meade . . 48 

The Law EJrothers of Co E. 656 

D C. Law. Joseph H. Law. Chas. 
M Law. 

Joseph H Morehead, Co E 664 

Officers and Men of Co F . 680 ' 

Sergt. Wm. 1. Mackey. Sergt. David 
Burrell, Sergt. M. H. Mackey. Capt- 
Martin Dolan, Lieut. D. C Freeman. 
Henry S- Nolder. Corp. Henry Heat- 
on. John D. Lucas. 

Lieut -Col. Wm. P. Wilson . . 690" 

Officers and Men of Co G . . . 696 ' 

Corp. Joseph Fox, Geo. K. Baker. 
Daniel S. Keller, Lieut. Isaac Lytle. 
Capt James J. Patterson, Sergt. R. 
H. Patterson, D. W. Miller, Wm. A. 
Jacobs, Adams T. Murphy, Matthias 
Rider. 

William S Van Dyke. . 704' 

John W. Stuart, Lieut. Co G 712 

Dr James A. Thompson , . . 722 

Officers and Men of Co. H . 728 . 

Lieut. Alexander Gibb, Capt. H. H. 
Montgomery. Lieut. John A. Bayard. 
Lieut. James B. Cook, Herman K. 
Miller, Geo. W. Constable, Geo. A. 
Wilson. 

Sergt. D. H. Baumyardner . . . 744' 

1 J Grenoble and John M. Davis. 760' 

J. B. Rumbaugh 776 ' 

Officers of Co K 796^ 

Capt. Jerry Z. Brown, Lieut. A. C. 
Sloan, Capt. Thomas Gore. 

Men of Co. K . 800'' 

David Polliard, Corp. Dennis Con- 
ner, S.W Herrington. Uriah Willson. 

Brevet-Maj J Z Brown . . 808 ■ 

The Sloan Boys of Co. K. . 810 

Lieut. A. C Sloan, Sergt. 1. N. 
Sloan, Sergt. W. C. Sloan, Corp. S. 
H. Sloan, W. J. M. Sloan. 

Six Men of Co H who lost each 

an arm at Chancellorsville . 840' 

Michael Lebkecker, Corp. Richard 
Miles. Frank J. Hunter, Thos. W. 
Myton. Adoniram J. Yothers. Daniel 
W. Woodring. 

J. W. Muffly 856 

Lieut James E McCartney. . . 866 

The Monument 872 

The Marker 880 



G. G. Walters. J F. McNoldy 



424 ' 



PREFACE 

A book, like everything else, should have a good, substantial 
and evident reason for its existence. 

This* book will bo read mainly by the survivors of the 148th Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania Volunteers, who know its history and who now 
record its achievements. It will be read, also, by very many of the 
descendants of comrades, who are eager to know all that may be 
known of the splendid regiment in which fathers and brothers and 
sons served the cause of the Union. It may chance to meet the eye 
of some who have no individual interest in its personnel. Possibly, 
indeed, it may serve a useful purpose in the hands of some great 
soul whose high mission it shall be to write the history of the great 
rebellion — the time for which is not yet. When the smoke shall have 
been lifted ; the mists cleared away ; the ephemera of the newspaper 
reporter ; the selfishness of the politician, and tlie glamour of the 
poet, shall have been relegated to the limbo of oblivion, then in the 
cool retrospect of a century, impartial history will set out the great 
events and the men of the sixties in their just relations, and some 
great names may change places on the Nation's roll of honor. 

As an act of justice to every individual patriot who served in 
any Union regiment in the rebellion, the history of every regiment 
should be written and a copy placed in every library in the land. 
Besides this, there are especial reasons why our Regiment should be 
so put upon record. Of the 2,04:7 regiments in the Union Army, 
the 148th Pennsylvania was one of the three hundred fighting regi- 
ments listed in Fox's ^'Regimental Losses." It stands number thirty 
in the list of forty-five regiments tlhat lost 200 and upward killed in 
battle, witli the record of 210 men killed out of a total enroll- 
ment of 1330. It stands (notwithstanding tlie fact that it 
went out a year later than many of the regiments contained 
therein) nnnibor fourteen in tliat splendid "sifted" list of twenty 
three regiments which gave fifteen per cent and upwards of 
their blood for the flag, and which are liere set out as given by Colonel 



10 



THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



Fox (page 8) with bis introductory words: "The regiments in the 
following list can fairly claim the honor of having encountered the 
hardest liiihting' in the War. Tiiey may not have done the most 
effective fighting; but they evidently stood where the danger was 
tliickest, and were tlie ones which faced the hottest musketry. They 
were all well known, reliable commands, and served with unblemished 
records. The maximum of loss is reached in this table: 

KILLED AND DIED OF WOUNDS 

Maximum Percentage of Enrollment 

Reelment Enrolled. Killed. Percent. Corps. 

2d Wisconsin 1,203 238 19.T l^irst 

1st Maine Heavy Artillery. 2,202 423 19.2 Second 

57th Massachusetts 1,052 201 19.1 Ninth 

140th Pennsylvania 1,132 198 17.4 Second 

2r)th Wisconsin 1,089 188 17.2 Eleventh 

7th Wisconsin 1,630 281 17.2 First 

69th New York 1,513 259 17.1 Second 

11th Pennsylvania Reserves. 1,179 196 16.6 Fifth 

142d Pennsylvania 935 155 16.5 First 

141st Pennsylvania 1,037 167 16.1 Third 

19th Indiana 1,246 199 15.9 First 

121st New York 1,426 226 15.8 Sixth 

7th Michigan 1,315 208 15.8 Second 

148th Pennsylvania 1,339 210 15.6 Second 

83d Pennsylvania 1,808 282 15.5 Fifth 

22d Massachusetts 1,393 216 15.5 Fifth 

36th Wisconsin 1,014 157 15.4 Second 

27th Indiana 1,101 169 15.3 Twelfth 

5th Kentucky 1,020 157 15.3 Fourth 

27th Michigan 1,485 225 15.1 Ninth 

79th U. S. Colored 1,249 188 15.0 Seventh 

17th Maine 1,371 207 15.0 Third 

1st Minnasota 1,242 187 15.0 Second 



Tlio Reiiinient was ])resent in every battle of the Army of the 
Potomac from Chancellorsville to the surrender at Appomattox and 
was in the hottest of the fighting in all of them except the Wilderness. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 11 

At Spotsylvania it lost 301 killed, wounded and missing, the great- 
est loss of any infantry regiment on tliat field. 

In the personnel of its officers and men — in their character 
for sobriety, morality, courage and patriotism, in their soldierly 
habits of order, obedience and personal cleanliness, in the perfec- 
tion of the regimental organization, drill and discipline, in its ap- 
pearance on dress parade and review, in the order, regularity and 
cleanliness of its camps, in its prompt and cheerful response to every 
call for duty, in its endurance in the toilsome march and the hard- 
ships of exposure and privation, and in the supreme test of battle, 
where its courage and dash, its daring and its staying qualities were 
proved on more than twenty bloody fields — the 148th Pennsylvania 
had no superior and few equals. 

In the matter of returns and reports the record was altogether 
exceptional. From the very first, every officer was trained to forward 
promptly and fiilly, every report required. The result was that 
our officers, on their discharge from service, were able to settle thoir 
accounts with the Governnioait in a day and draw their final pay, 
without an hour's delay. 

The book, as now completed, is the fruition of a hope cherished 
for years by many of our comrades — a hope that ripened into a 
purpose and took definite form at the reunion of the Regiment held 
at Belief onte, Pennsylvania, February 19 and 20, 1902. Indeed the 
expectation of that result was a main factor leading to the holding 
of the reunion, and the proposed History formed the chief topic of 
discussion and action at the meeting. 

The plan of the work, as suggested from the start (and faith- 
fully followed) was, that it should be made up of stories by repre- 
sentatives of all the ranks, grades and departments of the Regiment's 
service. In pursuance of this idea, quite a number of papers were 
prepared and read at the reunion, all indicating a deep interest and 
eliciting profound attention and altogether giving a sure promise, 
now happily fulfilled, of a regimental history of intense personal 
interest, and in form entirely unique among books of the kind. 

With so much of encouragement, the Regimental Association 
took action for the prosecution of the work. Committees were ap- 



12 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

painted and ii general invitation was given to evei*y comrade to 
contribute his personal recollections. So, without apology, we give 
to our diildveu and to the N'ation, tiie history of our service, written 
by the comrades who helped to make it. It is the record of an honor- 
able service, the highest achievement of our lives, accoinplished in the 
dawn of our early manhood. We can not hope ever to do any greater 
act, or win any higher honor than that which gathers about our 
deeds in the early sixties. Meade was never greater than at Gettys- 
burg. Grant never rose higher than at Vicksburg. Sherman reached 
his zenith when he reached the "Sea." 




Des Moines, .Tnlv U, 1904. 



'I'lic half tone illustrations in this work — made by the Star 
Engi-aviua,- Company, of Des Moines — aro mostly from war time 
photograiihs, and it is matter of gratitication that we have been able 
to procure so many of them at this late day. 



THE VAUGHN FAMILY - 

G RE AT -6«A Kl D G H 1 LDP^E-N P- 

COMR'ADE. EDWARD P. JONES OF"HXO. 



WHY 

Never since the wise man uttered it has it been more true than 
today that "of the making of books there is no end." In tlie whole 
range of literature to no class of books does this more truly apply than 
to that relating to the Civil War. Every phase of that great crisis in 
our national history is being portrayed with a fulhiess and vividness 
never equaled. Why add another to the apparently endless list of 
books upon this subject? The picture on the opposite page helps to 
answer this question. 

Coming from Scranton a few weeks ago, the writer met an old 
comrade from the northern part of Pennsylvania, apparently not 
much over sixty years of age, who was coming \vith his wife from 
a Christmas visit to a married daughter in another part of the state. 
Commenting upon the 'pleasure of the visit, the comrade added, as a 
climax to what he was saying, "I have two of the nicest great-grand- 
children you ever saw." This immediately started the inquiry. Have 
we any great-grandfathers among the survivors of the 148th Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer Regiment ? Upon inquiry several were found. 

Among those who attended the reunion of the survivors of the 
Regiment at Bellefonte in February of this year (1904) was Sergt. 
Daniel H. Baumgardner, of Tl Company, now of Brookville, Penn- 
sylvania, who rejoices in being not only a great-grandfather, but the 
father of a very interesting baby not yet two years old. 

On the last day of our reunion Edward P. Jones, also of H 
Company, who resided at Port Matilda, in Centre County, and who 
was wounded at Gettysburg and is believed to have been one of the 
one hundred who made the celebrated dasli with Captain Bro^\m, Oc- 
tober 27, 1864, on Fort Crater in front of Petersburg, died leaving 
to survive him, in addition to children and grandchildren, twenty- 
four out of thirty-two great-grandchildren born during his lifetime. 
The ])ictur(' rcfcnv d to sliows the seven ehihlreii of h]hner E. Vaughn 
and Theresa, his wife, who is a daughter of Johnson C. Jones, the son 
of our deceased comrade. 

Anyone who is at all familiar with the character of the number- 
less inquiries made by the widows and orphaned children of those 



14 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

wlio were killed or died of woinids or of disease during the War, who 
cannot tell even the company and regiment to which husband and 
father belonged, will appreciate the importance of preserving for the 
present and future generations the record of the service rendered by 
the men who served their country faithfully and well during the 
period to which reference has been made. 

In order to preserve the record of the individual soldier and to 
tell as fully as may be, for the benefit of the first, second, third and 
all succeeding generations, just what father, grandfather or great- 
grandfather did in that great struggle, is the object of this volume. 
The story is to be told as largely as possible by those who were per- 
sonally engaged in making it. 

The book does not aim to be, and \^dll as far as possible avoid 
being a history of the War. It will tell what each writer saw or heard 
or experienced in the place where, for the time being, he had his lot 
cast. The man with the gim rather than the officer with the sword is 
the hero, as he ought to be, of this story. To tell wdiat he did in 
camp, on the march, on the picket line or in battle, or how, by 
cheerfulness, good nature and love of fun, he helped at the camp fire 
or on the march to revive the s]>irits of his companions, or by sym- 
pathy and helpfulness on the march, or in battle, or on the ghastly 
field after battles were lost or won, he gave assistance, relief and 
succer to those more unfortunate than himself ; or on the firing line, 
in skirmish or battle, he carried himself bravely and established his 
record for coolness, courage and endurance, and so added to the en- 
viable record of tlic licgiinciit which was proud to ehiiiii liitu. will be 
its object. 

If in the present and the generations to come the descendants of 
the men who composed the 148th Regiment shall find herein the 
]>roiid record of those whom th(\v claim as their ancestors and shall 
have their pride in that ancestry increased by what tlioy shall herein 
read, and .shall be led to "highly resolve" that they will enmlate the 
life and follow the example of the fathers as herein written, the ob- 
ject of our book will be accomplished and the wisdom of its publica- 
tion vindicated. J. A. B. 



THE ITINERARY 



Compiled by the Editor, assisted by Comrade Sergeant T. P. Meyer, Lock Haven, 

Pennsylvania. 



1862. 
July and Aug. 
August 28. 
September 8. 

9. 
10. 



I 



30. 

October 8. 

December 9. 

9. 

10. 
11. 
11. 
12. 
15. 
16. 

17. 



Companies recruited, and men "sworn in." 
Company and regimental muster. 
Organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, Pennsyl- 
vania, and named 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Left by rail for Cockeysville, Maryland. 
Arrived at Cockeysville, guarding IST. C. R. R. com- 
munication with the North. Four companies 
move to Gunpowder River under Major Fairlamb. 
Company A moved to Lutherville, Maryland, under 
Capt. R. H. Forster. Company B moved to Glencoe, 
Maryland, under Capt. Jas. F. Weaver. Four com- 
panies; ciK'aiii]!e(l at lieadquartcrs, Colonel Beaver. 
First general inspection. 
Field and staff mustered. 
Left Cockeysville by rail, 2:00 p. m. 
Arrived in Baltimore, evening. Night in Uniou 
Relief Association Building, 
Left Baltimore by rail, 6 :00 p. m. 
At Washington, 3 :00 a. m. To Soldiers' Retreat. 
Marched for the front, 2 :00 p. m. 
Resumed march at 9 :00 a. m. 
Reached Liverpool Point. 

Crossed Potomac River by transports to Acquia 
Creek, Virginia. 

Marched to headquarters Army of the Potomac 
at Falmouth, Virginia. Assigned to First Brigade, 
First Division, Second Corps. 



16 



THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



19. 

25. 
1863. 
January 17. 
February 

9. 
March 27. 
April 7. 

0. 
16. 



18. 

27. 

28. 

30. 

1. 

2. 

2,3. 

4,5. 
6. 

12. 
16. 

14. 
15. 

16. 

17. 



May 



June 



Located our camp. Very cold, but had no tents. 
Built winter camp. Keceived tents today. 

Review of Corps. 

Equipped with Springfield rifles in lieu of con- 
demned Vincennes. 
Epidemic of fever. Many deaths. 
Visit of Governor Curtin. 

Visit of President Lincoln. Lincoln reviewed Army. 
75,000 men on review. 
General inspection of Army. 

First payment. The boys of the Regiment send to 
their homes over $75,000, carried and delivered, 
largely in person, by Chaplain Stevens. 
Regiment drilled in volley firing, with blank car- 
tridges. 

Marching orders. 
Marched up the Rappahannock. 
Crossed the river. 

Marched to battlefield of Chancellorsville. Skirmish- 
ing begins. 

First man in Regiment killed, Samuel IL Hollo- 
way of "D." 

Battle of Chancellorsville. Beaver wounded. 
Cannonade and skirmishing continues. 
Recrossed river and reoccupied old camp toward 
evening. 

Governor Curtin visited the Regiment. 
Last of the wounded brought from the Chancellors- 
ville battlefield and the remaining dead buried. 
Broke camp and started on the march to Gettysburg. 
At Stafford Court House. Court House and jail, 
with all their contents, burned. 

Dnmfrios. C^auijK'd at Occoquan Rivev for the night. 
Fairfax Court House. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 17 

19. Centerville. 

20. Bull Run battlefield to Thoroughfare Gap. 
21-25. At Thoroughfare Gap. Bull Rim Mountains. 

25. Haymarket skirmish. 

26. Edwards Feriy via Gum Springs. Crossed Potomac 
River into Maryland to Poolsville. 

26. Poolsville. 
27. Sugar Loaf Mountain. 

28. Frederick City. Arrived at noon. 

29. Reached Uniontown (thirty mile march) at night. 
Lay there the 30th. 

July 1. Into Pennsylvania at 6 :00 p. m. 

1, 2, 3. Battle of Gettysburg. 

4. Skirmishing and burying the dead. 

5. Left Gettysburg, moved to Two Taverns, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

7. Two Taverns, Pennsylvania., to Jonesville, Mary- 
land. 

8. Jonesville, Maryland, to Frederick, Maryland. 

9. Frederick, Burkittsville, across South Mountain and 
South Mountain battlefield. 

10. Antietam battlefield. 
Burkittsville. 

11. Hagerstown to Williamsport. 
15. Harper's Ferry. 

18. Back to Harper's Ferry. Crossed Potomac into Vir- 
ginia. 

19. Colonel Beaver rejoined Regiment. Moved south six 
miles and camped. 

20. Bloomfield, Virginia. 

23. Ashby's Gap, to and through Manassas Gap, to 

Wapping Heights after night. 
23, Battle Wapping Heights. Supi^rtcd Third Corp?. 

21. Wapping Heights, near Front Royal, through jMa- 
nassas Gap, Blue ^rinintaiii-^ to the East. 



18 



THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



26. 

30. 

31. 

August 4. 

August 31. 

September 4. 

1. 

4. 

12. 

13. 
14. 
17. 
24. 



October 



Xoveiiiber 



28. 

0. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 
14. 
30. 
7. 
19. 
25. 



Ashby's Gap via Salem to White Plains, twenty 

miles. 

White Plains to Warrenton. 

Warrenton to Elktown. 

Elktown t-o Morrisville, Virginia, and camped. 

In camp, Morrisville. 

Port Conway Expedition. 

Skirmish Richardson's Ford, at midnight. 
Return to camp at Morrisville. 
On Orange & Alexandria R. R. to Rappahannock 
Station. 

Crossed Rappahannock to Brandy Station. 
To Culpeper Court House. 
To Cedar mountain. 

Regiment transferred from First to Third Brigade, 
and changed camp accordingly. 
Camp near Cedar Mountain. 
Back to Culpeper and camped. 

Back to Rapidan. Skirmish. Covered retreat of 
Third Corps. 

Rapidan via Culpeper, Rappahannock Station, 
twenty-five miles. 

Rappahannock Station, recrossed Rappahannock 
River, skiniiished and drove Rebels four miles south- 
ward. 

To the rear twenty-five miles. Bivouac in timber 
on Cedar Run. 

Battle of Auburn Mills. (''Coffee Hill") 
Battle Bristoe Station. 
Received 115 recruits. 
Demonstration across river. 
Received 158 recruits. 

Marched on Mine Run campaign. Crossed Rapidan 
River. 



I 



December 


2. 




7. 


1864. 




March 


10. 




25. 




26. 


April 


22. 


May 


4. 


4, 


5, 6. 




7. 



r//£ /^srn Pennsylvania volunteers 19 

Recrossed Rapid an to the north. 

Go into winter quarters near Stevensburg. 

Lieutenant General Grant visited the Army. 

Assigned to [fourth Brigade. 

Grant's headquarters established at Culpeper Court 

Plouse. 

Grand review of the Army by General Grant. 

General reviews Second Corps. 

March to Wilderness. Second Corps crossed river. 

Battle of Wilderness. 

Marched for Todd's Tavern at night. 

8. At Todd's Tavern at 9 :00 a. m. 

9. Crossed the Po River in evening. Drove enemy's 
battery. 

10. Battle of Po River. Later recrossed Po River. 

12. Charged and took the Salient, Spotsylvania. 

15. Moved to Fredericksburg road near ISTy River. 

17. Moved back to the works captured on the 12th. 

18. Assaulted enemy's new line. 
18. Night movement towards Anderson's Mill. 

20. Marched toward Guinea Station at night. 

21. At Guinea at day break. To Milford and crossed 
river and intrenched. 

22. Moved to Milford. 

23. To Old Chesterfield. Advanced to North Anna 
River. 

24. Crossed Xortli Anna River. Advanced and in- 
trenched. 

26. Recrossed Nortli Anna River. 

27. Mardied toward the Pamunkey. Cam,ped at 10 :00 
p. M. 

28. Crossed the Pamunkey River. 

29. Reconnaissance to the front. Skirmish Swift Creek. 

30. Skirmish all day and battle of Totopotomoy River in 
evening. 



20 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Juno 1. March toward Cold Ilurlxtr. 

2. At Cold Harbor at 6 :30. 

3. Battle of Cold Harbor. 

3-12. In intrenched line close to enemy. Truce to bury the 
dead. 

12. Witlidrew at night and marched toward the James. 

13. Crossed Jones Bridge. Reached Wilcox Landing 
at 5 :30 p. m. 

14. Crossed James River in boats from Wilcox Landing 
during the night. 

15. All aoroiss. Marched at 10:00 a. m. without rations. 
IT). Assanlted enemy's works befovo Petersburg, Vir- 
ginia. BeaA'er wounded. 

18. Battle at the Hare House, afterward Fort Stedman, 
L«e's second line. 

21. Skirmish near Williams House. 

22. Reconnaissance in woods to front. Were flanked 
and retired. 

July \--2i'>. in reserve front of Petcrslnirg. 

26. To City Point. 

27. Crossed James River. Battle at Deep P>ottoni. Ca]> 
tured batteiy. 

29. Recrossed James River to south side before Peters- 
burg. I'lcturned t.o old camp. 

30. Burnside's mine exploded. 

August 12-13. Cross James River on transports, nnd move to \^oo\) 
Bottom. Second expedition. 
14. Battle Deep Bottom. 

20. Recrossed James to south side. 

21. Arrived at old camp before Petersburg. 

21. After short rest, march toward Wddoii lJ:iilroii(l. 

22. Destroying Wei don Railroad. 

25. Battle of Reams Station. C\ilonel Heaver rejo-ined 
Regiment and was wounded. 

27. Return and cnni]) at Avery House, fi-ont of Peters- 
burg. 



THE hSTH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 



21 



September 5. 
24. 
26. 

October 15. 



24. 

25. 
26. 

27. 

29. 
30. 
31. 

November 5. 



Decembeir 1. 
1. 



9. 
10. 

24. 
29. 
1865. 
February 



Camp at Jones House. 
Eelieved Abbott's Brigade on front line. 
Moved to rigbt, extending from Fort Stedman to 
Fort Haskell. 

In rear Fort Stedman. Colonel Mulholland com- 
mandiuii' Briii'ado. Re])urts at this date show a loss in 
the 148th of over 1,100 men in two years, leaving 
182 muskets in the Regiment. 
Changed position from Fort Stedman to Fort Rice, 
three miles to the left. 
Skirmish near Fort Rice. 

Changed position from Fort Rice to the left of 
Fort Morton. 

Capt. Jerry Z. Brown, of Company K, and 100 
men of the 148th, charged and capture the Confeder- 
ate "Crater Fort" and lose one-third of their nimaber. 
Moved forward and skirmished heavily all day. 
Relieved after night, and moved into Fort Meikle. 
Advanced early ; were relieved at 9 :00 a. m., and 
moved to Fort Sedgwick, three miles to the left. 
General Humphreys relieves General Haneock of 
command Second Corps. 

Presidential election. Return of the Regiment 
showed 127 votes for Lincoln, 72 votes for Mc- 
Olellan. 

Truce to bury the dead. 

Captain Rhinehart,with seventy-five men, in garrison 
at Fort Sampson, Companies A, C, F, G and K. 
Captain Weaver, with seventy-five men, in gannson 
Fort Gregg. Companies B, D, E, I and H. 
Reconnaissance to Hatcher's Run. 
Return to line. 

Regiment united and in garrison Fort Cummings. 
March at midnight tw^elve miles west. 

In winter quarters front of Petersburg. 



22 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

5. Formed line near Tucker House, advanced and cap- 
tured enemy's works. 
7. Ordered back to garrison, Fort Cummings. 
March 25. Advanced a mile and became engaged. 

29. Moved to near the Boydton Road. 

30. In line front of enemy's works supporting Brigade. 

31. Moved to position at Gravelly Run and attacked, 
driving the enemy two miles. Captain Rhinehart 
wounded. Sutton took command. 

April 1. Marched to join Sheridan. 

2. Joined Sheridan. Action near South Side Railroad. 
3, 4, 5. Pursuit of enemy. 

7. Action near Farmville. Regiment on foraging duty 
for the Division. Joseph H. Law, bugler, killed. 

8. On the march. 

9. Surrender of Lee. 

10. Corps ordered to march 10 :00 a. m. on the 11th. 

11. Marched toward Burkeville. 
13. Encamped at Burkeville. 

May 2. Broke camp and marched t-oward Richmond. 

5. At Manchester, opposite Richmond. 

6. Crossed James River on pontoon bridges, and 
marched through Richmond. 

13. Encamped near Four Mile Run, near Alexandria. 

23. Grand review in Washington of Army of the Po- 
tomac. 

30. Corps reviewed at Bailey's Cross Roads. Great 
crowd of civilians in attendance. 
Juno 1. Mustered out in camp near Alexandria, Virginia. 

3. Broke camp for the last time and marched to Wash- 
ington. 

4. To Tlarrisburg, Pennsylvania, l)v rail. 

7. Regiment disbanded in Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

(The Second Army Corps waa discontinued as an organiza- 
tion by General Orders No. 130 A, G. O., June 28, 1865.) 



ASSIGNMENTS. 

1862, December 17 — First Brigade, Col. G. W. Von Schaack, 5th 
Xew Hampshire, 7th New York, 61st New York, 64th 
New York, 81st Pennsylvania, 145th Pennsylvania, 
148th Pennsylvania, Beaver commanding. 
First Division, Brig. Gen. W. S. Hancock ; Second Corps, 
Maj. Gen. D. N. Conch; Army Potomac, Gen. A. E. 
Burnside. 

1862, December 31 — First Brigade, Colonel Von Shaack. (Same 

regiments as above.) 
First Division, Hancock ; Second Corps, Gen. John Sedg- 
wick, temporarily ; Army Potomac, General Bnrnside. 

1863, Jannary 31 — First Brigade, Colonel Von Schaack. (Same 

regiments. 
First Division, Col. S. K. Zook (Hancock on leave) ; Second 
Corps, Gen. O. O. Howard ; Army Potomac, Gen. Joseph 
Hooker. 
1863, May 1— First Brigade, Gen. John C. Caldwell, 5th New 
Hampshire, 61st New York, 81st Pennsylvania, 148th 
Pennsylvania, Beaver and Fairlamb commanding. 
First Division, General Hancock ; Second Corps, General 
Conch ; Army Potomac, General Hooker. 
1863, May 31 — First Brigade, Col. E. E. Cross. (Same regiments 
as last.) 
First Division, Gen. J. C. Caldwell ; Second Corps, General 
Hancock ; Army Potomac, General Hooker. 
1863, July 1— First Brigade, Colonel Cross, Col. H. B. McKeen. 
(Same regiments.) 
First Division, General Caldwell ; Second Corps, General 
Hancock, Gen. John Gibbon ; Army Potomac, Gen. 
George G. Meade from June 28th to the end. 
1863, July 31— First Brigade, Col. Nelson A. Miles, 61st New 
York, 81st Pennsylvania, 148th Pennsylvania, Beaver 
commanding. 
First Division, General Caldwell; Second Corps, Gen. Wm. 
Hayes. 



24 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

1863, August 31 — First Brigade, Colonel Miles. (Same regiments 
as last.) 
First Division, General Caldwell ; Second Corps, Gen. G. K. 
Warren. 
1863, October 10 — Third Brigade, Col. James A. Beaver, 52d New 
York, 57th IS^ew York, 66tli New York, 148th Penn- 
sylvania, Major Fairlamb commanding. 
First Division, Col. Paul Frank; Second Corps, General 
Caldwell, General Warren. 
1863, November 20 — Third Brigade, Colonel Beaver. (Same regi- 
ments as last, Major Fairlamb commanding 148th.) 
First Division, General Caldwell; Second Corps, General 
Warren. 

1863, December 31 — Third Brigade, Col. Paul Frank. (Same regi- 

ments, Major Fairlamb commanding 148th.) 
First Division, General Caldwell ; Second Corps, General 
Hancock. 

1864, January 31 — Third Brigade, Colonel Beaver, 7th New York, 

52d New York, 57th New York, 66th New York, 148th 
Pennsylvania, Major Fairlamb. 
First Division, Greneral Caldwell. 

1864, March 25 — Fourth Brigade, Col. John R. Brooke, 53d Penn- 
sylvania, 145th Pennsylvania, 148th Pennsylvania, Col- 
onel Beaver; 64th New York, 66th New York, 2d Dela- 
ware. General Caldwell relieved and ordered to report 
to the Adjutant General, U. S. A. 
First Division, Gen. F. C. Barlow ; Second Corps, General 
Hancock. 

1864, May 31 — Fourth Brigade, Col. John R. BroolvC, 2d Delaware, 
7th New York Heavy Artillery, 64th New York, 66th 
New York, 53d Pennsylvania, 145th Pennsylvania, 
148th Pennsylvania, Beaver commanding. 
First Division, Gen. F. C. Barlow; Second Corps, General 
Hancock. 

During the period between June 2d and June 15, 1864, the Fourth Brigade 
was commanded succesaively by Beaver, Hastings, and Fraser, General Brooke 
having been disabled for further service by reason of wound at Cold Harbor. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 25 

1864, June 30 — Foin-th Brigade, Lieut. Col. John Hastings, 2cl 
Delaware, 64th Xew York, 66th New York, 5od Penn- 
sylvania, 116th Pennsylvania, 145th Pennsylvania, 
148th Pennsylvania, Capt, J. F. Weaver ; 7th New York 
Heavy Artillery. 
First Division, General Barlow ; Second Corps, General Han- 
cock. 

1864, July 31— Fourth Ba-igade, Lieut. Col. K. O. Broady, 64th 
New York, 66th New York, 53d Pennsylvania, 116th 
Pennsylvania, 145th Pennsylvania, 148th Pennsylvania, 
Captain Weaver ; 7th New York Heavy Artillery. 
First Division, Gen. Nelson A. Miles ; Second Corps, General 
LI an cock. 

1864, August 31 — Fourth Brigade, Col. Wm. Glenny. (Same regi- 
ments, Weaver commanding 148th.) 
First Division, General Miles ; Second Corps, General Han- 
cock, 

1864, Octoher 15— Fourth Brigade, Col. St. Clair A. Mulholland. 

1864, October 31 — Fourth Brigade, Colonel Mulholland. (Same 
regiments, Capt. James J. Patterson commanding 
148th.) 
First Division, General Miles ; Second Corps, General Han- 
cock. 

1864, December 31 — Fourth Brigade, Colonel Glenny, 64th New 

York, 66th New York, 4th New York Heavy Artillery. 
53d Pennsylvania, 116th Pennsylvania, 145th Pennsyl- 
vania, 148th Pennsylvania, Weaver commanding. 
First Division, General Miles ; Second Corps, Gen. A. A. 
Humphreys. 

1865, January 31 — Fourth Brigade, Gen. John Ramsey. (Same- 

regiments, Weaver commanding 148th. 
First Division, General Miles ; Second Corps, General 

Jlumphreys. 
1865, February 28 — Same as last, 
1865, March — Fourth Brigade, General Ramsey, 64th New York, 

66th New York, 53d Pennsylvania, 116th Pennsylvania, 

145th Pennsylvania, 148th Pennsylvania, 183d Penn- 



26 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

sylvania. Capt. A. A. Rhinehart commanding 148th, 
wounded, Oapt. J. F. Sutton suoceeded. 

First Division, General Miles; Second Corps, General 
Humphreys. 
1865, April 30 — Fourth Brigade, General Eamsey, 64th New York, 
53d Pennsylvania, 116th Pennsylvania, 145th Pennsyl- 
vania, 148th Pennsylvania, 183d Pennsylvania. Captain 
Sutton commanding 148th. 

First Division, General Miles; Second Corps, General 
Humphreys. 





^ y^J^>^.^^<«^ 



BATTLES AND SKIRMISHES 

PARTICIPATED IN BY THE 148TH REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS, 

FIRST, THIRD AND FOURTH BRIGADES, FIRST DIVISION, 

SECOND CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC 

1863. 

1. Chaiicellorsville, Virginia, May let to 5th. 

2. Hay Market, June 25th. 

3. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 1st, 2d, 3d. 

4. Wapping Heights, Virginia, July 23d. 

5. Eichardson's Ford, Virginia, September 1st, 

6. South Side Rappahannock, October 12th. 

7. Auburn Mills, Virginia, October 14th. 

8. Bristoe Station, October 14th. 

9. Kelly's Ford, Virginia, November 7th. 

10. Mine Run, November 27th and 30th, December 1st. 

1864. 

11. Morton's Ford, Virginia, February 6th, 7th. 

12. Wilderness, Virginia, May 5th, 6th, 7th. 

13. Po River, Virginia, May 9th, 10th. 

14. Spotsylvania, Virginia, May 12th to 20th. 

15. Assault at Salient, May 12th. 

16. Milford Station, Virginia, May 20th. 

17. Reconnaissance by Regiment, May 22d. 

18. North Anna River, May 23d to 27th. 

'19. Totopotomoy Creek, Virginia, May 28th and 31st.. 

20. Cold Harbor, June 2d to 12th. 

21. Cold Harbor Assault, June 3d. 

22. Siege of Petersburg, Virginia, June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865. 

23. Assault on Petersburg, Virginia, June 16th. 

24. Assault Petersburg, June 17th. 
'25. Assault Petersburg, June 18th. 

'26. Jerusalem Plank Road, June 21st, 23d. 

27. Strawberry Plains (Deep Bottom), Virginia, north of James 
River, July 27th, 29th. 



28 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

28. Deep Bottom, Viro-inia, iiortli oi James Kiver, August 14th 
15th, 16th. 

29. Reaui's Station, Virginia, Woldon Kailroad, August 2r)th. 
:}0. F(u-t Cvatev, October 27tli. 

:U. Fort Morton, October 29th. 

1865. 

32. Attack and capture of ])icket line, March 25th. 

33. Gravelly Run, March 29th. 

34. Hatcher's Run, Virginia, March 30th. 

35. White Oak Road, Virginia, Mawh 31st. 
3(). Sutherland Station, April 2d. 

37. Deatonsville (Amelia Springs), Virginia, April 6th. 

38. Farmville, Virginia, north of Appomattox River, April Ttli. 
Surrender of Lee's Army, April 9, 1865. 



CITIZEX'S STOEY. 

Introductory by General Beaver. 

The President's call of July 7, 1862, for 300,000 volunteers met 
with a ready response in Centre County. A movement was imme- 
diately started to raise a Centre Coimty regiment which Avas so far 
successful as to make the Centre County element dominant in the 
organization and to give that name to what was known numerically 
as the 14Sth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. The county had 
not been derelict in its duty previous to that time. In the three 
months service in the Pennsylvania Reserves, and in the three years 
regiment raised in 1861, she had her full share of representation. 

Immediately after the President's call the efforts to raise the 
regiment began and were prosecuted \^ath enthusiasm and success. 
Stinuilus was given to the movenu'ut l)v an executive order issued 
by the War Department, August 4, 1862, in which it was ordered: 

"(1) That a draft of 300,000 militia be immediately called 
into the service of the United States to serve for nine months, unless 
sooner discharged. The Secretary of War will assigii the quota to 
the states and establish regulations for the draft. 

''(2) That if any state shall not by the 15th of August fur- 
nish its quota of the additional 300,000 volunteers authorized by law, 
the deficiency of volunteers in that state will also bc' made up by 
special draft from the militia. The Secretary of War will estai)lish 
regulations for this purpose." 

In addition to the stimulus afforded by this order for a draft, it 
became apparent that an active campaigTi nortlnvard was to be made 
by the Army of I'J'orthern Virginia, and in order to meet that move- 
ment on the part of Lee the organization of troops then under way 
was hurried so that they might be ]>ut into the field as soon as pos- 
sible. 

These conditions hastened the org'anization of the 148th Regi- 
ment and prevented the full realization of the plan for securing a 
Centre County regiment. The final result was seven companies from 
Centre County, one from Clarion, one from Indiana and one from 
Jefferson, although several of these companies had detachments or 
individual enlistments from other counties. Two of the compnnies 



30 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

from Centre County were made up largely from the boys who were 
attending the Academies at Pine Grove (D), and Boalsburg (G), 
and as many of these were not from Centre County, the companies 
included representatives from a number of other counties, although 
enlisted and regarded as Centre County men. E Company was com- 
posed of detachments from Armstrong, Indiana and Jefferson Coun- 
ties, but was always counted as an Indiana County company. F con- 
tained detachments from Huntingdon, Cameron and Elk Counties. 
I was almost wholly from Jefferson County ; and K, although from 
Clarion County in the main, had a considerable detachment from 
Montgomery County. A somewhat careful analysis of the enlist- 
ments make it certain that at least thirteen counties were represented 
in the Regiment; namely, Armstrong, Blair, Cameron, Centre, 
Clarion, Elk, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Mifflin, 
Montgomery and Perry. 

An account of the movement in Centre County was very fortu- 
nately written during his lifetime by the Hon. H. N. McAllister, of 
Belief onte, who was one of the foremost promoters of the movement, 
and canvassed the county making numerous addresses in its behalf. 
This was written in response to the request of Hon. Samuel P. Bates, 
who prepared the History of Pennsylvania Volunteers 1861-1865, but 
was too voluminous for his purpose. Tlie manuscript was, however, 
preserved and very appropriately constitutes the next chapter. 




"".'/'■«.«: *^ Ah«.s»'^^^^ 





^<^ZZ^1^^_ 



TJIK CITIZEN'S STORY. 

By Hon. H. N. McAllister 

Seven companies of the 148th Regiment Pennsylvania Vohin 
teers, known as Companies A, B, C, D, F, G and H, were recruited 
in and afterwards severally mustered into the service of the United 
States as from Centre County between the 4th and 10th days of Aug- 
ust, 1862. 

In pursuance of a call signed "Many Citizens," published by 
hand bills posted throughout the county and by publication in the 
Central Press, a large public meeting was convened at the court house 
in Bellefonte on Saturday, August 2, 1862, to promote enlistments 
and enable Centre County to fill her quota of men called for by the 
Government, without the necessity of a draft. Hon. S. T. Shugert, 
was appointe^l president; Moses Thompson and twelve other promi- 
nent citizens, vice-presidents; D. J. McCann and John T. Hoover, 
secretaries. The object of the meeting having been stated by the 
president, a committee of nine, of which Hon. Samuel Linn was 
chairman, was appointed to draft resolutions for the consideration of 
the meeting. During the absence of the committee, Hon. James T. 
Hale being called upon addressed the meeting. The committee re- 
ported a preamble and nine several resolutions, among which were 
the following: 

"Resolved, That we will furnish our full quota of men to meet 
the late requisition and that we will raise the amount of funds neces- 
sary for that purpose. 

"Resolved, That the commissioners of Centre County be re- 
quest/id to pay each volunteer who may be enrolled in the service of 
the TJnite<l States from this county the sum of Fifty ($50.00) Dol- 
lars bounty by way of relief to such volunteers, and that for that pur- 
IK)«o they Ix^ requested to Vx)rro\v the sum of Ten Thousand ($10,- 
000.00) Dollars for the jx^riod of five years, paying the usual rate of 
interest therefor." 

All of which were unanimously adopted. 

H. N. McAllister, Esq., being then called upon addressed the 
meeting, after which Dr. J. B. Mitchell said that he had been author- 



52 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

ized by his friend, Dr. George A. Fairlanib, who was necessarily ab- 
sent on ]>rofe3sional business, to announce that if encouraged to do 
so he woukl undertake to raise a company. Tliis announcement was 
received with appLause. 

The action of the meeting upon the resolutions previously re- 
ferred to having boon communicated to Messrs. Ira Fisher, John Mc- 
Calmont and Amos Alexander, the county commissioners then in ses- 
sion, resolved to offer a bounty as requested and to issue the obliga- 
tions of the county for $10,000, payable in five years with interest, 
on condition that the same should be taken at par, and the commis- 
sioners in no event to be held responsible. The resolution of the 
commissioners was reported to the meeting, whereupon bonds were 
immediately taken by subscription and within a few days afterwards 
cashed and the $10,000 required placed in the treasiiry. 

Dr. George A. Fairlamb being informed on his return of what 
had taken place at the meeting, commenced on Monday morning, the 
4th of Augiist, at the sacrifice of a good and gi'owing practice, to re- 
cruit his company, which, Avith the aid of George A. Bayard, John L. 
Johnston and John A. Bayard, he accomplished within twelve days. 

A further requisition for 800,000 men having Ix^en made by the 
Xational Government shortly after this meeting, the quota of Centre 
County was, of course, correspondingly increased. Commissions to 
recruit were issued by the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania to Rob- 
ert McFarlane and Bobert M. Forster of Harris Township; Williani 
II. Bible, of Bellefonte; Frank Stevenson, of Patton Township; 
James F. Weaver, of Milesburg, and ^Tartin Dolan, of Boggs Town- 
shi|). Puldie meetings were called at INFilesburg, Eagle Iron Works, 
Hublersburg, Fnionville, Ilalfmoon, Pine Grove, Boalsburg, Potters 
Mills and Spring Mills. These iiieetings were, at the instance of 
those engaged in recruiting in the r(^s]K'('tiv(' hx'alities, addressed by 
Hon. James T. Hale, H. X. McAllister, Esq., Capt. William H. 
Blair, John G. Kurtz, Ks(|., ami others dis]>osed to aid in the vigorous 
prosecution of the War. 

Ifobert ^rcFarlaiio resided in ilic same vicinity with Bob- 
ert M. l^'orstcr, and jvosscssing the advantage of having Ix^en a 
Cai>lain in the three niontlis servic(\ recruited his conipanv 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 33 

between the 4th and ISth (hiys of August. James F. Weaver, who 
resided in the same vicinity with Martin Dolan, recruited his com- 
pany between the 5th and 22d days of Auo-ust. Martin Dolan, with 
the aid of William P. Wilson, of Potters Mills, recruited his company 
between the Sth and 2r>th days of August. 

It having become manifest that Ilobert M. Forster. Wil- 
liam H. Bible and Frank Stevenson could not succeed in each 
raising" a company, they met l)y a]>p'ointnient at the oHico of If. 
N. McAllister and entered into an arrangement under which 
they were severally to recruit for the same company, Mc- 
Allister agreeing to aid them in their work. They were to 
report their recruits at a time specified, when the organiza- 
tion of the company was to be decided upon. This agreement 
was carried out with the utmost good faith, the reports made at the 
time appointed and the company organized by tlie election of Robert 
M. Forster, Captain ; William H. Bible, First Lieutenant; and Frank 
Stevenson, Second Lieutenant. This company was recruited between 
the 4th and 27th days of August. 

All sections of Centre County had freely, from the commence- 
ment of the War, responded to the several calls of the President for 
men, not only promptly but enthusiastically, and were still respond- 
ing, except the townships of Penn, Haines, Gregg and Miles, 
and it was thought that something should bei done to arouse 
them from their lethargy. Meetings were, therefore, called by hand 
bills at Millheim in Penn Township on the evening of Auguat 18th, 
at Rebersburg on the afternoon of the 19th, and at Aaronsburg on 
the evening of the same day. Capt. William H. Blair, of the 51st 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, then at home on sick leave suffer- 
ing from ophthalmia, and H. N. McAllister, Esq., were sent to ad- 
dress the meeting at Millheim, with an understanding that lions. 
James T. Hale and S. T. Shugert would meet them on the 19th at 
Rebersburg and accompany them to Aaronsburg that evening. The 
meeting at Millheim was addressed at considerable length by both 
McAllister and Blair. They argued that it was most manifestly the 
interest of Penn Township that their quota of the 000,000 men 
should be filled by volunteers, as the draft must fall more heavily 



34 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

upon them than upon those townships which had filled previous calls. 
A very respectable citizen of Penn Township, at one time a commis- 
sioner of the county, accompanied the speakers to their lodging from 
the meeting, and in answer to the argument in reference to the ap- 
proaching draft, suggested that their men could evade it by taking 
refuge in the neighboring mountains. 

Captain Blair's sufferings from his eyes having increased, 
McAllister left him at Millheim and went with James P. Coburn, of 
Aaronsburg, to Pebersburg, where they met Hons. James T. 
Hale, S. T. Shugert and J. G. Laurimore, and quite a large and re- 
spectable assemblage of citizens of Miles Township. The meet- 
ing being organized by the appointment of Hon. Samuel Stro- 

hecker president, aiid secretary, was addressed by Judge 

Hale, H. N. McAllister, S. T. Shugert and others. The speakers 
stated to the audience that they came not tOi ask favors themselves, for 
their friends or for their country, but to do the citizens of Miles To^vn- 
ship a favor in making known to them their tnie situation ; that the 
Government, whilst they preferred a voluntary offer of service, were 
strong enough to take all they required, whether of money or of men. 
In the course of his remarks McAllister alluded to the conversation 
he had had the evening before with his Penn Township friend and to 
the spectacle the inhabitants of Penn, Miles, Gregg and Haines Town- 
ships would present whilst skulking in the adjacent mountains to 
evade the draft, a skulking which to be effective must continue not 
for days nor months, but for years. He suggested that they would 
most likely be compelled to live on fish, venison and the other reli- 
ances of savage life. The speakers dwelt upon the fact that they came 
in the interest of no particular recruiting officer. All they asked was 
that the citizens of Miles Township should raise a company and select 
their own ofiicers, either from among or from outside themselves. 
Several names were mentioned. The president of the meeting then 
said that Robert H. Forster was a soldier in the Mexican War. If 
he would agree to act, he can raise a company in Miles To^vllship. 
Forster Ix^ing r-alled for soon appeared, and after some conference 
and coiisultaticm agreed to make tlie effort to raise n coni])any. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 35 

On the 22d of August, three days afterwards, his company num- 
bered ninety -four men ; seventy-one of them were from Miles Town- 
ship, twenty-one from Penn and one from Harris. The sjieakers all 
left, Hale and Shugert for the meeting at Aaronsburg, McAllister to 
fill an appointment elsewhere, greatly encouraged and with high 
hopes of success in all the German ToAvnships. Blair joining Hale 
and Shugert at Millheim, they proceeded to Aaronsburg where they 
met a still larg-er meeting than at Kebersburg, which was addressed 
by Hale, Blair and others. The announcement that R. H. Forster 
was recruiting a company in Miles Township received enthusiastic 
applause. The meeting resulted in an arrangement under wliich 
Andrew Musser was to raise a company, which was commenced before 
the meeting adjourned and which, with the assistance of Prof. John 
E. Thomas, of Pine Grove, was completed before the 28th of August. 
The proceeds of the $10,000 issue of Centre County bonds having 
been well nigh exhausted in the payment of the companies recruited 
by Fairlamb and McFarlane, the commissioners, on the 18th day of 
August, passed the following resolution : 

"Resolved, That the commissioners of Centre County will issue 
coupon bonds of $50.00 each, payable with 6 per cent, interest, in 
five years, to each volunteer who is accepted and mustered into the 
service of the United States from Centre County under the two calls 
for 300,000 men each made by the President of the United States." 

At the meeting in Rebersburg and Aaronsburg a resolution, of 
which the following is a copy, was unanimously adopted : 

"Resolved, That this meeting tenders its hearty thanks to the 
board of commissioners of Centre County for their noble and gener- 
ous determination to pay each volunteer of Centre County a bounty 
of $50.00." 

And a notice, of which the following is a copy, appeared in the 
Central Press on the 22d of August, 1862 : 

WAR MEETING. 

"A meeting of the citizens of Centre County will be held at the 
court house in Belief on te on Monday evening, August 25 th (court 
week), to raise money for bounty to volunteers to fill our quota of 



36 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

600,000 uion called for l>y the Tresideiit (,f the United Stales ;!■•(! 
thus save tlip disaiireeable necessity of a draft. 
"By order of the coniniissiciiers. 

''S. M. Irvin,, Clerl\" 

A meeting convened in jinrsiiance of the above call was organized 
by tlie selection of Gen. Georg'e Buchanan as president; George Boal, 
S. T. Shugert, A. R. Barlow and William Foresman, vice-presidents, 
and J(>hn T. Jolmson and J. S. Barahart, secretaries. H. IST. Mc- 
Allister, William II Blair, 1). J. McCann, Jacob Ilouser and J. B. 
Mitchell were appointed a committee to draft resolutions expressive 
of the sense of the meeting, which presented a report, patriotic in 
sentiment, ])ledging the people to stand by the commissioners of the 
county in issuing bonds for the payment of a bounty to all volunteers 
wlio should be credited to the county. 

Capt. William II. Blair and IT. Tv^. McAllister, Esq., being sev- 
erally called upon, addressed the meeting, after which the resolutions 
were unanimously adopted. 

The companies recruited and 'enlisted as above stated left Centre 
County for Ilarrisburg in conveyances furnished by the citizens, 
without charge, as follows : 

George A. Faivlamb's company, from Bellefonte via Lewistown. 
August 14, 18G2. 

Robert McFarlane's company, from Boalsburg via Lewistown, 
August 13, 1862. 

B. Henry Forster's company, from Rebcrslnirg via Lewistown, 
Aiig-ust 27, 1862. 

A. Musser's company, from Aaronsburg and Pine Grove, ren- 
dezvousing at (Vntre Hall and leaving via Lewistown, August 27, 
1862. 

R. M. Forster's com])anv. from Bcdlefonte via Lewistown, Aug- 
ust 27, 1S62. 

J. F. Weaver's com])any from Milesburg via Lock ITaven, Aug- 
ust 21, 1862. 

Martin Dolan's company, from ^Milesburg via T^^ck ITaven, Aug- 
ust 28, 1862. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS ST 

The citizens of Centre County havini>- with lireat unanimity 
fixed upon Lieut. Col. James A. Beaver, of the 45th lic^iniont of 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, as the most suitable i>erson to whom the 
Colonelcy of the Regiment could be committed, a letter, of which the 
following is a copy, was, on the loth of August, 18G2, addressed to 
Governor Curtin : 

Bellefonte, 15 August, 1862. 
His Excellency, A. G. Curtin^ 

Governor of Pennsylvania, 
Dear Sir : We take great pleasure in recommending our friend 
and fellow citizen, Lieut. Col. James A. Beaver, of tlie 45th Penn- 
sylvania Regiment for a colonelcy in one of the regiments now being 
formed. He is a young man of undoubted courage, indomitable 
energy and high military capacity. He had for several months an 
independent command and received for his conduct the high com- 
mendation of his superior othcers. We, therefore, not only desire 
his promotion to a colonelcy, but we most respectfully urge his ap- 
pointment to the colonelcy of the regiment in which we now feel the 
deepest interest — that in which the companies raised in Centre 
County by Messrs. McFarlane, Fairlamb, Weaver and others, to 
serve for the tenn of the War, shall be placed. 

Yours truly, 

Geo, a. Fairlamb, 
RoBT. McFarlaxk, 
James F. Weaver, 
Samuel Linn, 
S. T. Shugert, 
R. H. Duncan, 
W. H. Blair, 
George Boal, 
H. K McAllister. 

Governor Curtin returned in reply to this letter that the War 
Department had refused to discharge any officer in active service to 
take charge of any unorganized regiment, and that, therefore, the 
'Centre County com]>anies would have to look elsewhere for a colonel. 
Colonel Beaver being informed of this, wrote H. X. McAllister tliat 
if the captains of the several companies desired his services and 
S'hould unite in a letter to him to that effect, stating the readiness of 
the Regiment for immediate organization, he could procure his own 
discharge to assume immediatelv a liii>iier command. This letter hav- 



38 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

ing been handed to Captain Fairlamb, resulted in a letter, of which 
the following is a copy: 

Camp Curtin, August 30, 1862. 
Lieut. Col. James A, Beaver^ 

Sir : We, the undersigned. Captains of companies from Centre 
County, being desirous of forming a regiment to be called the Centre 
County Regiment, and, if possible, to be commanded by a Centre 
County mail, take this means of offering the said command to you, 
believing that under your care the Regiment will become efficient 
and realize the hopes of our friends at home. And we desire that 
you will endeavor to be detached from your present duties and as soon 
as possible assume the position of Colonel of this Regiment. Gov- 
ernor Curtin is aware of our wishes and is anxious to further them 
by every means. 

[Signed] George A. Fairlamb, 

Robert McFarlane, 
Martin Dolan, 
James F. Weaver, 
r. m. forster, 
Andrew Musser, 

Captaiiis. 

The letter was transmitted with the following endorsement: 

"This request is made Math my approbation and for reasons set 
forth. I unite in the petition. A. G. Curtin, 

"Governor Pennsylvania. 
"Hon. E. M. Stanton." 

Lieutenant Colonel Beaver procured his discharge on the 4th 
of September, 1862, appeared in Harrisburg on the 6th of Septem- 
ber; the Regiment was organized by the addition of additional com- 
panies from the counties of Clarion, Indiana and Jefferson, and was 
organized and equipped on the 8th and left Harrisburg for Cockeys- 
ville, Maryland, on the evening of the 9tli of September, 1862, and 
was thus introduced into active service. 



THE SISTER'S STORY. 

PREFATORY NOTE. 

In making inquiries in regard to war time photographs for ilhis- 
trating the "History of our Regiment," I had the pleasure of meeting 
Mrs. Sophie C. Hall, nee Keller, the sister of our comrade Corporal 
Daniel S. Keller of G Company, who, after being wounded at Ohan- 
cellorsville and transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, became an 
efficient and trusted clerk in the War Department and was subse- 
quently my close friend and devoted staff officer as Lieutenant Col- 
onel and Assistant Adjutant General in tlie National Guard service. 

In discussing the enlistment and organization of G Company, 
Mrs. Hall gave some account of the manner in which the company 
was enlisted and of the scenes which attended that enlistment. I 
immediately asked her to put what she said in writing, so that it 
would give, in some measure at least, an insight into the life of the 
mothers and sisters who remained at home during our Civil War. 
The result of her kind compliance with my request is found in the 
following pages which will, I am sure, add interest and zest not only 
to the story of G Company, but will give a realistic glimpse of home 
life in the quiet villages of our country, of which Boalsburg is a fine 
type, while sons and brothers were absent doing valiant service 
for their country. James A. Beaver. 



THE SISTER'S STORY. 
By Mrs. Sophie Keller Hall 

The 5th of August, 1862, dawned bright and fair. The day, 
rare as it was beautiful, was destined to become memorable in the 
annals of the quaint old town of Boalsburg. There was unusual stir 
in the village. The "Boalsburg Academy," then a noted classical 
school, had reopened. Many students who had s])ont the short sum- 
mer vacation in their own homes had returned and the streets re- 
sounded to the buoyant tread and joyous voices of "young men and 
maidens." 



40 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

It was tlie close of the noontide hour. Seated on the porch and 
steps of the okl Academy were grou]>s of students, ]>ut where was the 
bright repartee, merry laughter and song that were wont to greet the 
ear of tlio "late arrivals ?" These on this occasion were two little girls 
(the youngest members of the school), who with arms interlaced and 
heads bent close together exchanging confidences, came slowly up the 
walk. As they neared the hall, the quiet that prevailed was so in- 
tense that instinctively the young girls felt something had occurred, 
and hastening uj) anxiously asked : 

"What is the matter^ Any bad news from the front?" For 
since the "Dark Days of '61," the war news was ever the first and 
most absorbing topic in that patriotic little town. 

"President Lincoln has called for more volunteers and Professor 
Patterson is going," was the answer. 

The pale, startled faces of the children turned toward their 
teacher. Jn their eyes he read the question their lips refused to 
frame, "Js it true V and he answered gently : 

"Yes, I am going and not alone, for I shall take as many of my 
brave boys as can and will go with me." 

'No lessons were recited that afternoon, but many were the les- 
sons learned. Lessons of courage, faitli, ho}>e and love for home and 
country. 

Professor Patterson spoke of the obligation that rested individ- 
ually upon every loyal able-bodied man who could, to protect his 
country's flag in the hour of ]x:>ril. He felt that the time had come 
when he must go, if he would l>e true to his manhood. 

His words fell into hearts responsive and true. For some the 
decision their beloved teacher had made involved for them also infin- 
itely more than the mere closing of the school. Among these was a 
boy whose natural ability and studious liabits, had won for him honor 
and preferment. His career in life seenuMl full of pi-oniise. For 
several years he had ])ui-sued a pi-escribcd course of study, and he had 
bright expectations of being entered the coming month a Sophomore 
in a celebrated college. lint the words of his teacher changed for him 
the wli(de current of his life. He was desceude<l from a long line of 
patriofsS — men who jiad given up connti-v, ]ioin(^ and friends for their 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 41 

civil and religious liberties and who, when they became citizens of 
their adopted country, loved her well enough to uphold her in her 
great struggle for independence. 

The great-grandson could do no less than strive to preserve the 
flag his Revolution sires had sought to win. He felt that he must 
abandon the idea of college life dear as it was to him. He confided 
to his sister (one of the little girls mentioned) his determination to 
enlist. Looking into his eyes, her own shining with unshed tears, she 
exclaimed : 

"Oh, I am so proud and so glad. I only wi?h I were a boy and 
old enough to go with you." 

Upon reaching home they found tlieir mother greatly distressed 
over the rumors now rife throughout the town. Her son told her of 
the call for volunteers ; of the meeting to be held for that purpose that 
evening, and of his decision to be one of them. He was his mother's 
first born son and dearly beloved as such. She besought him not to 
do anything decisive until his father, who was absent from home, 
should return. He loved and revered his mother as only a good son 
can look up to and revere a godly mother, but he felt it his duty to 
respond to his country's call. So he could not give her the promise 
she asked, much as it gi'ieved him to refuse. 

Seeing her mother's anguish, his sister was alternately swayed by 
emotions of love and patriotism, but she had promised to stand by her 
brother in all' he would do, and she would- — yes, she would. 

As the sun went down and the trees cast long lingering shadows 
across the greensward, the clear notes of a sweet-toned bell rang out 
on the soft evening air. It was the bell in the tower of the "Old 
Stone Church," and to it were soon hastening men, women and chil- 
dren. Mere friendship drew some ; idle curiosity none. Connoisseurs 
in art and architecture would glory in tliat "Old Stone Church," as 
it stood that day, with its graceful spire, its arched ceiling, its mas- 
sive hand-carved and fluted columns and galleries, its high-backed 
pews, its spacious chancel, and dear old-fashioned pulpit with its 
spiral stairway and its sounding board whose "golden rays" symbol- 
ized the "sun of righteousness." ISTo uncertain truths of faith and 



42 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

doctrine ever fell from the lips of the men who stood within that 
sacred precinct. 

Dear old church ! So firm were her walls that the hand of man 
could scarcely lay her in the dust. Was not her resistance a silent 
protest, crying out to be left intact, as a monument of that memorable 
evening, where within her gates occurred events that consecrated her 
forever with tenderest memories that time cannot obliterate ? No 
service since has been like unto that service, where with prayer and 
praise, were offered up young heroes, ^\dlling sacrifices upon their 
country's altar. What were the sacrifices of old in the temple com- 
pared unto these sacrifices ? And as the gift on the altar sanctified 
the altar of the temple, so the free gift of these brave young hearts 
sanctified anew the dear old church of their childhood days, and hal- 
lowed the ground on which she stood ! 

"Brave boys are they. 

Gone at their country's call ; 

And yet, and yet, 
We cannot forget, 

That many 'brave boys' must fall." 

Thus sang or tried to sing the wives, mothers, sweethearts and 
sisters of the men and boys ready to respond to their countrj^'s call. 
Inside the chancel stood a tall, majestic figure — a man born to be a 
leader of men. He made a strong, stirring, patriotic appeal. The 
man who had doubted where his duty lay doubted no more when 
Hon. H. N. McAllister, of Bellefonte, had finished speaking. Then 
followed a, scene never to be forgotten by those present." James J. 
Patterson, principal of the Boalsburg Academy, arose. In his hand 
he held the roster of the school. The boy's sister recognized it, knew 
what was coming and drew her breath sharply, while her small hands 
were clasped convulsively together. Stepping to the chancel rail, 
Professor Patterson told of his own decision to enlist in the service 
of his country, and then added he would call the roll of the school for 
the last time and as many of his boys as had determined to go with 
him should respond, "Ready!" The roll was called alphabetically 
and the young girl heard, as in a dream the names of "Andrews — 
ready," "Baker — ready," and so on dowm the roll. Will they never 



THE J48TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 43 

reach the name she longs yet dreads to hear i And, ''Oh, wiO he 
go," she inwardly moans. Hush ! There it is — "Keller — ready" — 
responds a brave young voice, and the little sister wonders why she 
cannot breathe. 

The next she remembers the band is playing, "The Star-Spangled 
Banner," and then she slips out of the church and runs into her 
mother's arms (that mother who could not enter that "Temple of 
Sacrifice," and yet could not remain far away from it). There in 
those tender, sheltering arms the child sobs out her grief and is com- 
forted. 

The boy who had enlisted could not be accepted on account of 
his youth without the consent of his father, but when that father re- 
turned home and heard his son's earnest pleading he could no longer 
resist him. He had planned such a different career for his gifted son ; 
it was hard to abandon it when, as he thought, this call could be 
answered by men older and abler to endure the hardships of war. But 
when his boy, standing before him in all his youthful, manly beauty, 
said: 

"Father, let me go ! My country needs me, and I could never 
hold a book while the other boys were holding guns." 

The man, and the father, answered : 

"Then go, my son, and may God be witli you." 

And God was with him ; for though the brave young life almost 
ebbed away on the blood-stained field of Chancellorsville, yet he 
lived, lived to return to be an honor to his country and to fight man- 
fully in halls of justice, many other battles of right against wrong, 
unto his life's end. 

During the fall and winter of 1862 the old Academy in Boals- 
burg continued to play an important part in the history of the to\\ai. 
Within her walls gathered the mothers, wives, sisters and friends of 
the men who had enlisted in Company G of the 148th Regiment. 
With our boy's mother as leader they organized the "Soldiers' Aid 
Society," which became &o well known for its efficiency. Soon the 
old hall of learning was a great work shop, where the hum of sewing 
machines was heard, helping busy hands make clothing for sick and 
wounded in hospitals and barracks. In this work even the children 



44 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

of the town had a share, and proud, indeed, were they when per- 
mitted to scrapo lint and make bandages and slippers for the soldiers 
— a name that to them signified everything that was brave and loyal, 
and true and good. Here were given concerts, the proceeds of which 
were sent to the Sanitary Commission ; and here were packed huge 
boxes filled with dainty work done by fair hands for the "Great 
Fair," given in Philadelphia under the auspices of that same com- 
mission, whose chief executive was George H. Stuart, and from whom 
came many letters of acknowledgment and commendation. Some of 
these letters are still kept and prized by the secretary of the Soldiers' 
Aid Society. Here, too, were packed many other boxes, still larger 
and more precious ; boxes that found their way to Gunpowder Bridge, 
Cockeysville and elsewhere, bringing comfort and cheer to their own 
"boys in blue," stationed there. Many a fond mother, as she lovingly 
placed into the box some special delicacy for her o^vn darling boy, 
added one for the "stranger" who had gone from their midst, so that 
not infrequently his proved to be the "Benjamin's portion." Here 
were rehearsed the latest war news. As theirs was a common inter- 
est, so here were read letters from camp and field and hospital, telling 
of the noble daring and unflinching bravery of heroes in the naval 
and military arms of their country in its great Civil War — a war 
over w^hich not only their own nation stood appalled, but the whole 
civilized vrorld was stirred to its center. And here, too, when the 
skies grew darker and the war clouds gathered deeper and still deeper 
and darker, these "heroes at home" worked steadfastly on. Yea, 
worked while they wept, and fasted, and prayed, and waited. Waited 
from the going down of the sun at Chancellorsville until the rising 
at Gettysburg. And when at last that great day came when the Angel 
of Peace spread her wings over a bleeding yet undivided country, 
while giving thanks to Almighty God who had given them the vic- 
tory, their hearts were stilled with holy awe at the thought that it 
was only won at the sacrifice of so many brave men and true who had 
fallen heroes and martyrs in the struggle. 

"The air was full of farewells to the dying, 
And mournings for the dead." 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 45 

So many "Rachels" mourning for their children, for among the 
many "silent tents," spread on "fame's eternal camping ground," 
not a few were of their own, who had gone forth in the glory and 
strength and beauty of youth and manhood. 

As we strew their graves amid tears with flowers let us not for- 
get that in every age the Master of Life and Death, who is kinder aa 
well as wiser than we, has transplated to Heaven in their springtime, 
earth's sweetest flowers, and there they may rise on stepping stones of 
their own dead selves to higher things. Death cometh to every man 
soon or late, but death on the battlefield to the hero is a more glorious 
death than any other. Even in his dying moments it comforts him 
to know "his sword has won the battle for the free," and that "the 
thanks of millions yet to be" are his a.nd so well content, he rests with 
the "storied brave." "Greater love hath no man shown." O'ne of our 
best loved poets has said : 

"There is no death. 

What seems so is transition ; 

This life of mortal breath 

Is but a suburb of the life Elysian 

Whose portal we call death." 

"Safe from temptation, safe from sin's pollution. 

They live: whom we call dead." 



Note by the Editor. — In Mrs. Hall's letter enclosing the manuscript 
of the little gem called the "Sister's Story," I find a very interesting con- 
tri'iiUion to the literature relating to incidents which preceded and led up 
to the establishment of the Grand Army Memorial Day. Mrs. Hall says: 
"On the 4th of July, 1864 (I think that was the first 4th of July following 
the death of Dr. Reuben Hunter, of Boalsburg), Emma Hunter, now Mrs. 
James T. Stuart, and I went to the Boalsburg Cemetery to decorate her 
father's grave. While making a cross of flowers and wreath of same, the 
idea suggested itself to us that it would be appropriate, considering the 
day, to decorate all the graves of the soldiers buried there. Going home, 
we soon procured more flowers and laurel and made a wreath for every 
grave of a soldier, and as some of your boys of the 148th lie there, I think 
it can be said that the 148th was the first regiment to have its graves dec- 
orated. This date of decoration was at least four or five years prior to the 
ordinance passed by the United States setting the 30th of May as the time, 
and several years before the claimants for the honor of first decorating 
graves performed that ceremony in the Georgetown Cemetery." 

Heath's History of the Grand Army states that soldiers' graves were 
decorated at Waterloo. New York, May 27, 1866, and at Cincinnati in 1867. 
The formal order of Commander-in-Chief Logan of the Grand Army, estab- 
lishing the Memorial Day was dated May 5, 1868. So far, therefore, as I 
am now advised, Mrs. Hall's claim is well founded and I am sure that we 
are all glad to know that the graves of our own regimental comrades were 
thus early honored. J- W. M. 



THE BRIGADE COlNOrAXDER'S STORY. 



PART I. 

By Major General John R. Brooke. 

The men of the 148th Pennsylvania played no small part in 
those years of war which will always be counted as the greatest years 
of the Republic. It had been but a few months in the field before the 
names of battles which it was authorized to inscribe on its flag began 
to appear in orders. These followed each other in rapid succession. 
The list runs thus, beginning with the first battle after it reached the 
front: Chancellorsville, May, 1863; Gettysburg, July; Bristoe Sta- 
tion, October ; Mine Run, Xovember-December ; Wilderness ; Po River ; 
Spotsylvania; ISTorth Anna; Totopotomoy ; Cold Harbor, May, 1864; 
Petersburg, June ; Strawberry Plain ; Deep Bottom, July ; Ream's 
Station, August, 1864, and so on in the closing campaig-n to the end. 

So the 148th marched along the highways of battle winning 
honors whenever and wherever the bugles sounded the advance. What 
can anyone say in eulogy that shall surpass what the mere catalogue 
of those names and dates bestows? He would be a, fortunate soldier 
if no other honor had come to him in the War than to have com- 
manded men who were authorized by the Government which they 
served to thus glorify their battle flag. 

In the dreary winter after Fredericksburg the 148th attracted 
general attention in the Army for the excellence of its field quarters 
and its attention to all details which contribute to the perfection of 
military organization. Its Colonel had attained high standing with 
his brigade and division officers before the Regiment had been bap- 
tized in battle. It began its notable fighting ex]x^rience at Chancel- 
lorsville, where we first became associated, my (n\ni brigade and that 
in whicli the 148th served being both in Hancock's Division. This 
organization continued through Gettysburg, Bristoe Station and Mine 
Run, and then the 148th was assigned to my own bricade on the 
threshold of tliat desjx^rate campaign from the Rapidan to the James. 
From that moment the ties wliicli bound us together were stronger 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 47 

than hooks of steel. W© went throug-h tlie Wihlerness together. It 
was as the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but glorified by such deeds 
as the 148th and their fellows of the Army of the Potomac performed. 
At Po River it crossed with unsurpassed gallantry, fighting the 
enemy in front with the forests blazing in its rear. The world kuows 
of the bloody angle at Spotsylvania, and of the charge of Hancock's 
First Division on the 12th of May, a day that the living of our brigade 
will ever hold in proud remembrance. And so we went on together, 
down through Cold Harbor, and many minor engagements, to the 
James — across to Petersburg — and beyond the Appomattox and the 
glorious close of the War wherever the blare of bugle called to combat 
or the roar of battle told of the fiercest of the fight. 



I 



THE BRIGADE COMMANDER'S STORY. 



PART II. 

By Brevet Major General St. Clair A. Miilholland. 

Having commanded the 148tli Pennsylvania Infantry, even for 
the short time I had that honor, will ever he a happy and most pleas- 
ing memory of that titanic struggle, the great War of Secession. 
Truly the 148th was a noble regiment. There may have been a better 
one, but if so I have not seen it. Pennsylvania sent many splendid 
organizations to the front but I question if there was one that could be 
claimed as superior in any respect. In fighting qualities, in the per- 
sonnel of officers and men, in the admirable discipline that ever 
marked the command, in every characteristic! that made a really fine 
regiment, the 148th had few equals and no superiors. How vividly 
the memories of Chanoellorsville and Gettysburg, the Wilderness 
and Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg all come crowding 
back after the years that have passed, and the glorious fighting line 
of the 148th is recalled as of yesterday. From the very first shot 
fired by the command until the torn and blood-stained, victorious 
flags waved in the sunlight of Appomattox morn, the command was 
ever in the very front gathering laurels of victory and making a record 
of duty well done. ISTo iX)sition so strong that would not be charged 
with unfaltering courage. ISTo line ordered to be maintained but was 
held with the highest bravery. And how I recall the devotion to 
every duty, and the cheerfulness and alacrity with which the most 
toilsome and disagreeable duty was performed. At no hour of iho 
night, even after the most laborious day's march and sufi^ering, but 
the detail that might be called for would report promptly, ready and 
willing for any task, no matter how severe. It has always been a 
subject of astonishment to me that the members of the Regiment 
could maintain, under all circumstances, such perfection of the per- 
sonal qualities that marks the true soldier. It was difficult to imagine 
how they kept themselves so neat and presentable, their muskets so 
sliiniiig, their eqnipments so polisliod and elotliing so seemingly un- 
soiled, so that when ordered on "inspection," no matter how dusty 



V, 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 49 

the roads, or how long and tiresome the march, the men would turn 
out in such remarkable shape. And on these occasions, even in the 
midst of an active campaign, yes, even on the day of a battle, where 
those immaculate white gloves came from was a wonder. It is one 
thing to be an excellent fighting regiment, to cheerfully accept all the 
trials and sufferings of a severe campaign, to leave long lines of com- 
rades' graves on every battlefield, and meet day by day the vicissi- 
tudes of active warfare, but to do this, and still preserve the corps 
d'esprit, as well as its high standing, requires and calls for much more 
than a mere fighting spirit. 

The 148th was the ideal regiment. In battle, on the march, for 
picket duty, on the skirmish line, for inspection, for any and every 
duty, the motto of the command was "ready," always ''ready," and 
because of this, I now feel after all these years (thirty-six years it is 
since I looked at the "dress parade" of the 148th Regiment for the 
last time) that I owe an apology to its officers and men in the fear 
that perha.ps on many an occasion I assigned to them more duty than 
Avas their just share. Night or day, no matter when, or for what duty 
called for, I knew that the 148th was always "ready," cheerfully 
"ready," and hence, when time was a factor and the enemy pressing, 
I knew where to look for a prompt response and ^villing hearts ; and 
so, in offering at this late day to make amends for seeming imposition 
on those who are now my veteran friends, I can, and do, plead justi- 
fication in view of the excellent qualities of the "Regiment-Always- 
Ready" and so often called upon, although not always "next for 
duty." 

I would love to tell in detail the story of the Regiment during 
the last year of the War ; of the siege of Petersburg ; of tliat glorious 
fight at Sutherland's Station, when the Regiment captured cannon, 
colors and prisoners ; of Farmville and Appomattox, but others will 
tell the story better than I can do. One splendid deed of the 148th 
I can never forget or fail to record, one that can properly be a part 
of the "Brigade Commander's Story," a deed of valor, audacious in 
conception and brilliant in execution. It took place October 27, 1864, 
during the siege of Petersburg. As the end of October approached 
General Grant, wishing to make a vigorous effort to capture Peters- 



50 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

burg or, at least, to seize the Boydton Plank Road and South Side 
Railroad before the bad weather set in and compelled the suspension 
of active field operations, sent the larger part of the Second, Fifth 
and Ninth Corps to find and strike the right of the Confederate line. 

The expeditionary party marched during the night of October 
26th, and fought the battle of Boydton Plank Road on the 27th. The 
withdrawal of so large a force from the works in front of Petersburg 
necessarily left but a very thin line in the intrenchments. The First 
Division, Second Corps, commanded by Gen. Nelson A. Miles, then 
numbering about six thousand men, was spread out so as to occupy the 
whole line from the Appomattox River on the right to Battery 24, 
halfway between the Jerusalem Plank Road and the Weldon Rail- 
road. 

The Fourth Brigade of the Division, then commanded by the 
writer, occupied the line immediately opposite the Crater, where the 
mine explosion of July 30th had taken place, the left of tlie Brigade 
occupying Fort Rice and the right extending toward Fort Stedman. 
The picket firing was brisk during the day, and rumors of the battle, 
which Avas then in progress on the left, were flying, and an anxious 
spirit was manifest among the men in the works. Towards evening 
General Miles, wishing to deceive the enemy as to the force then 
holding the Union line, ordered an attack on the works in front to 
be made by a small party from each of the two brigades commanded 
by Colonel McDougal and the writer res}>ectively. 

About 5 :e30 p. m. 1 received an order from General Miles to take 
one hundred men and make a. demonstration on the enemy's works. 
Believing it quite ])ossible to capture one of the forts in my front, I 
selected for the attem]}t one hundred men of the 148th Pennsylvania 
Regiment. I timk tlic men frdui this organization because I knew 
fhcni to be excellent and i-oliablc, and a big consideration was that 
they were armed with the S[)encer magazine rifle, capable of firing- 
seven shots without reloading. Tlie storming party was under com- 
mand of ('a]ir. .1. /. IJi'dwn, I.icni. V. D. Sprankle and Lieuts. Alex 
Gibl) iuid .lolm F. I>enner. 

Addressing the men, 1 told thcni of tlie des]>erat€ nature of the 
dnty roipiired, and 1 said that no one need go unless willingly. Every 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 51 

mail was not only willing, but anxious to go. As it was innx>63ible 
to reach the picket line (from which the attack was to be made) in a 
body, since the sharpshooters were vigilant, and covered the gi-ound 
between our main line and the picket, I ordered tlie party to break 
ranks and go out individually, taking different routes and creeping, 
through the low brush, be able to assemble at a point indicated with- 
out being seen by the enemy. In fifteen minutes every man of the 
party met me as ordered. We were within fifty yards of the object 
of attack, and, so far, all had gone well. Forming the party into two 
sections, I ordered one, under Captain Brown, to run around the 
right of the fort and enter the sally port, while the second section 
was to charge up the face of the banquette slope and gaining the 
crest, pour their fire down into the works. 

Ten of the men were given axes instead of rifles, and were to 
run ahead, cut the wires that joined the chevaux-de-frise, and open 
a section for the storming party to get through. The twilight was 
gathering by the time that all was in readiness, and the orders were 
to "make the demonstration at six o'clock." As I was about to give the 
order to charge I looked back and saw a hurseman galloping ra]>idly 
towards me. He was coming from the direeticm of division head- 
quarters, and thinking that he might be bringing some last order, I 
paused until he came up. It was Capt. Henry D. Price, my Adju- 
tant General. He threw himself from his horse and said : 

"Colonel, what's up? I have been at division headquarters, 
and heard that you were going to make an attack. I am going along." 

I did not wish him to go, but he insisted upon it, and knowing 
his value, I finally consented with much reluctance. He drew his 
sword, unbuckled the belt, and handed it, together with the scabbard, 
to Lieut. Tom Lee, one of my Aides. He said : 

"Tom, if I am killed send these to my mother." 

I gave the order, and the gallant little band, leaping over the 
slight earthworks of the picket line, ran direct for the enemy's fort, 
not fifty yards distant. With a few blows the axemen cut the fasten- 
ings that lashed the chevanx-de-frise together, dragged out a section, 
and the party ran through. The attack was a complete success, Bro\\ni 
entering the fort from the rear, and Price uKUinting the slope from 



52 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

the front. The defenders for a few moments made a gallant defense, 
but in vain. In ten minutes from the starting of the charge the fort 
was carried, and all in it were in our possession. It was getting quite 
dark when the rush was made, and Captain Price had disappeared 
from mj view, I could not see him after he reached the crest, but T 
heard his voice as he called to the men to follow him, and then I 
heard him directing their fire. Suddenly his voice ceased, and T felt 
sure that he had fallen. 

As soon as the fort was won, the prisoners were sent into our 
lines and an effort made to bring in or destroy the artillery, but little 
could be accomplished with the latter as the noble band that had done 
so \yell were now few in number. There was no possibility of getting 
re-enforcements. !N'one could be spared from the thin line that 
held the Union works, and after holding the Confederate fort for 
twenty minutes, I very reluctantly gave the order to abandon it, and 
return to our own line, and not a moment too soon, for the enemy had 
begun concentrating a force to re-capture the works and their forts, 
and from the right and the left of the one captured there poured a 
terrible fire on the little band of T'nion men tlicn in possession. The 
following account of the action is from the Philadelphia Press of No- 
vember 1, 186-1: 

Sjtecial Correspondence to the Press. 

"From General Grant's Army — Brilliant affair on the centre — 
Capture of a Rebel fort and fifty prisoners — The garrison was com- 
pletely surprised — A Confederate Colonel in our hands — Important 
information gained — ^The enemy's line very weak — Their picket line 
cut into for several hours." — (Mr. C. Edmimd's Dispatches.) 

BEFORE PETERSBURG^ OCTOBER 28, 1864, 9:00 V. M. 

"The tremendous artillery firing which took place last evening, 
commencing about 9 o'clock and continuing until past midnight, 
turns out not to have been altogether without cause. One of the most 
brilliant affairs in which the Second Corps has participated has just 
been enacted by a portion of the Fourth Brigade of the First Division. 
About one hundred and fifty yards beyond our ]>icket lino, and 
scarcely a fourth of a mile from the famous mine which was exploded 
by the Ninth Corps under Burnside some months ago, stands one of 
the strongest and best constructed fortifications in the enemy's outer 
line. It is an earthwork with bomb proofs, and is environed with 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLrJNIJ VOLUNTEERS 55 

abatis of novel construction. Between this fort and Fort Kice, held 
by one brigade, is a ravine which the adjacent enemy's forts may 
sweep. The order for the assault was issued by General Miles, who 
intended the affair mainly as a reconnaissance, having no idea that 
the enemy could be so easily caught napping. To General Mulhol- 
land, 116th Pennsylvania Volunteers, the general management of the 
works was entrusted and a detachment of one hundred men from the 
14Sth Pennsylvania Regiment volunteered. Shortly after 5 :45 p. m. 
the brave little band passed out from the defences and silently formed 
inside our picket lines. Colonel Mulholland instructed the men as 
to the method of removing the abatis, and directed them not to fire a 
shot but to use the bayonet. They were like'sHse ordered not to cheer 
unless they should succeed in entering the fort, when a single cheer 
would be a sufficient signal for sending forward re-enforcements. 
About six o'clock the men started foinvard on the double-quick. It was 
raining at the time. The evening was dark, and they had almost 
reached the fort before the enemy perceived them. Still no shot was 
fired. They sprang over the earthworks, and before the garrison 
could recover from its surprise the victory was ours. The Confeder- 
ates made some little resistance, but they had been taken completely 
by surprise and, save a few who effected their escape, the garrison, 
numbering about fifty men, were taken prisoners. We succeeded in 
taking the following officers : Colonel Harrison, 46th Virginia Regi- 
ment, commanding the fort; Lieutenant Colonel Wise, 46th Virginia 
Regiment; Lieutenant Bylen, 34th Virginia Regiment; Lieutenant 
Coxe, 46th Virginia Regiment, and about forty private soldiers. 
Colonel Harrison could not at first be induced to believe that he was 
a prisoner, so astonished was he at the audacity of the enterprise, 
and pronounced the affair a 'd — d Yankee trick.' 

''We learned from the prisoners that Wise's Brigade, Bushrod 
Johnson's Division of General Anderson's Corps, together with Ran- 
som's and Finnegan's Brigades, held the line opposite us. In addi- 
tion to the prisoners taken, numbers of the enemy were killed and 
wounded in the trenches, refusing to surrender. Colonel Harrison 
admits that if our assailing party had been supported by two hundred 
men they could have maintained their position in the fort. But thi<= 
was not to be. As soon as we took the fort our men gave a cheer as a 
signal, and Colonel Mulholland dispatched his Aides to the adjacent 
fortifications for re-enforcements. It was in the plan of arrange- 
ments that the 26th Michigan should be held in reserve. But this 
regiment did not arrive upon the grounds in time and no available 
troops could be gotten ready to send forward for half an hour. In 
the meantime the enemy rallied about seven hundred strong and 
drove out our men. About fifty men out of the hundred are missing, 
the majority being wounded. Captain Price was the only officer 



54 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

killed. His body is still in the enemy's ix>ssession. A complete list 
of the casualties is subjoined. During the fig'hting- which this re- 
contre led to neither side used artillery, each fearing that it might in- 
flict more damage upon its own men than on the enemy. But im 
mediately upon the return of our assaulting party with their pris- 
oners all our forts in this vicinity ojDened upon the Confederate forts 
a terrific cannonade, to which they responded with equal vigor. The 
firing commenced about nine o'clock, as I have stated, and lasted until 
one o'clock in the morning. During the whole time the rain was fall- 
ing." 

From the Philadelphia Press of November 2, 1864. 

"The body of Captain Price lias been recovered. A flag of truce 
will be sent for it in a day or two. A couple of deserters who came 
in last night state that they saw the body of a Captain lying in a 
trench fronting the fort, and from their description there can be no 
doubt that it was the body of the lamented officer referred to. 

"The Colonel Wise captured turns out to be a nephew of ex-Gov- 
ernor Wise. He was in Philadelphia at the breaking out of the War 
and was a student in the office of one of the most eminent members of 
the bar. At the time of his capture Governor Wise was in the fort 
but escaj>ed by concealing himself in one of the bomb proofs. He had 
just dispatched a courier to one of the adjacent regiments with a cir- 
cular. The courier was taken but chewed up the missive in such a 
hurry that its contents are unl-:nown. All the prisoners admit that 
their line was weaker than it had ever been since the campaign 
commenced. They say that if we had had one regiment in reserve ti. 
re-enforce the storming party we could have held the fort]iernmnently, 
and with this fort we could have swe]>t the whole outer line of their 
works. Xo better evidence of the weakness of Lee's Army is needed 
than this fact. As soon as the storming party returned to our own line 
all the forts on both sides 0|>ened a terrific fire that continued until 
midnight. Lieut. P. 1). Sprankle, of the 148tli Regiment, was severely 
wounded and left in the hands of the enemy, as were nearly all the 
wounded of that Pegimcnt. In the darkness and confusion it was 
impossible to remove them. The attack was led by Capt. J. Z. 
Brown, and Captain Price was with the ]>artv as a staff officer, but 
took a very active part until he fell." 

I had the very great pleasure of reconnnendiug Captain Bro^^^l 
for the brevet rank of Major, and also a Congress Medal of Honor 
for his distinguished bravery and excellent conduct on this occasion, 
and T rejoice that the well-desei'ved honors were accorded him. 

A few days after the fight a flag of truce went out, and the body 
of Captain Price was recovered. We learned that on the mornine; 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 55 

after tlie assault, an Irisliman of a Georgia reii'iinent had seen the 
body and reeogiiized it by the number of the regiment as a former 
member of the Irish Brigade. He had tenderly ^vrap]>ed him in a 
blanket and carefully buried him. When the body was brought into 
our lines it was embalmed and sent home. The ball that killed him 
had entered his forehead just above the eye. When ho was embalmc<l 
he looked smiling and natural, his lips partly open, showing his 
beautiful teeth. And so died one whom we all lo\'ed and knew as 
"Little Pricey." Only a boy just from school, but a hero and a vet- 
eran gentle and unassuming, but brave as the bravest. TIow his boy- 
ish laughter would ring through camp! Even in battle his face would 
wear a smile. He sleeps by the Schuylkill on whose banks Meade and 
Hancock and a host of his comrades rest, and among the thousands 
who fell in the great struggle, none are more worthy ofdionor than 
the noble boy who died so bravely, and whose memory will qxov be 
cherished. 

The captured work was known as Davidson's Salient, and stood 
about fifty yards to the left (the Union left) of the Crater. A dark, 
rainy night followed the fight, and when morning broke, the men of 
the 148th eagerly scanned the fort that they had so gallantly ca]> 
tured the evening before, now again in the hands of the enemy, and 
saw some bodies lying around the work. One with upturned face to 
the falling rain was recognized as that of Captain Price. The n.ien 
composing the storming party of the 148th were heartily congratu- 
lated by their comrades, and the following order was issued from 
brigade headquarters : 

(General Okder iSTo. 31.) 

Headquarters Fourth BriCxAde, First Division, Second CJorps. 

October 28, 1864. 

The Colonel commanding the Brigade takes pleasure in congrat- 
ulating the detail of the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers for the gal- 
lantry displayed in the assault and capture of the enemy's fort on the ^ 
evening of Octol>ei' 27, 1864. Capt. Jerry Brown, Lieutenants 
Sprankle, Gibb, and Benner desen'e special mention for their bravery 
and skill in leading the charge. 

He deeply regrets the loss of Capt. Henry D. Price, 116th Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers, Acting Assistant Adjutant General, Fourth 
Brigade, who fell nobly sustaining the proud name he had won by 



56 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

his valor in the field, and sympathizes with the brave men who were 
wonnded. 

By nrder of Coi.onei, ]\Iul]iolla>^d^ 

J. Wexdel Muffi.y^ 
Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant General. 

The Confederate aeccnnt (f the aifair is ^iven by Gen. B. R. 
Johnson, and is most interesting. He states that the Confederates took 
fifteen prisoners, inelnding one Lieutenant. He also accounts for 
Captain Price, whom he mentions. As thirty-three of the liSth 
were missing, it would seem that seventeen of them must have been 
killed or left between the lines, too severely wounded to get aw^ay. 

Headquarters Johnson's Division 

pETEiiSBUiax, N'iUGiNiA, Octobcr 28, 1864, 
Lieutenant : About ten o'clock on yesterday morning, I moved 
Wallace's Brigade to tlie right, and relieved Saunder's and Harris' 
Brigades in the trenches. Wise's Brigade was moved from reserve 
into the position on the front line vacated by Wallace's Brigade. 
My right now rests at Battery No. 30. 

About dark last evening a force from the 148th Pennsylvania 
Kegiment, Fourth Brigade, First Division, Second Corps, perhaps 
one hundred strong, advanced without support upon the battery on 
the front line to the right of the Baxter Road kno\vn as Davidson's 
Battery. It was the usual hour for relieving pickets, and the di- 
vision officer of the day, w^ho liappened to be passing at that point, 
mistook the force for pickets returning to the line, and gave orders 
to sentinels not to fire. By others this force was regarded as deserters 
coming to our lines. This impression was communicated by the 
orders on the infantry line to the gTin in rear of the Crater, which 
bore on the ground over which the force advanced. A light fire was, 
however, opened by our infantry to the right and left of Davidson's 
Battery. Witli axes the little force opened a passage through our 
chevaux-de-frise, and entered Davidson's Battery and mingled with 
our men. Their hostile character having been ascertained, troops of 
Wise's Brigade charged and drove them out, capturing one Lieuten- 
ant and fourteen men, who report that a number of their men were 
wounded and killed in the advance, among the latter a Captain of 
the llP)th Pennsylvania Regiment. 

About 10 :00 p. m. the enemy advanced upon and drove our men 
from a jwrtion of the picket line on the right of Rive's House, occu- 
})ied by troops of Wallace's Brigade. General Wallace promptly 
threw out a force and reoccupied the line. During these events the 
mortar and cannon firing were heavy, especially from Colquitt's 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 57 

Salient to my riglit. Later in the night there was considerable artil- 
lery firing on my right. Dnring the latter part of the night, Brig- 
adier General Ransom, whose brigade is on my left, and extends to the 
river, reported that the enemy's troops were seen to be moving to our 
left. It was thought tliey might be massing in his front. 
E.es2>ectfully, your obedient servant, 

B. R. Johnson, Major General. 
Lieutenant McWillie, A. A. A. G. 

FOOT NOTE FROM 14:8tH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS, '^BATES' 
PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS." 

"When the party was forced to retire, Private William H. Kel- 
lerman was cut oft" and was unable to regain the Union lines. Deter- 
mined not to be captured he concealed himself in some low bushes, 
and the enemy advanced his videttes inclosing him and completely 
shutting him off from all hopes of escape. For eight days he re- 
mained concealed, subsisting on roots and barks within his reach. 
The cold was so intense that his feet were badly frozen and his limbs 
were almost paralyzed ; but still he would not surrender. On the 
evening of the eighth day the enemy was late in posting his videttes, 
and Kellerman, taking advantage of the growing darkness, succeeded 
in crawling and rolling himself outside of the rebel line, and was 
rescued. By careful nursing and medical treatment he was revived 
aaid restored. General Meade, admiring his fortitude, gave him a 
thirty days' furlough." 



THE COLONEL'S STORY 

By Gen. James A. Beaver. 



CHAPTER T. 

ORGAXIZATIOX TO ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 

For the men of the 148th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
which shall hereafter be called "onr Regiment'' or "the Regiment," 
and for their chihiren and descendants to the latest generation, this 
story is written. Tt will contain little or nothing of what may be 
called general history. The life of the Regiment was identified with 
that of the Army of the Potomac. The history of tliat Army from 
the time the Regiment joined it, after the first battle of Fredericks- 
burg, December 17, 1862, is its history. Little will be. said, there- 
fore, of marches, battles and campaigns, except as there may be some- 
thing in them which, is peculiar to onr Regiment and may tend to 
emphasize or illustrate its inner life and come within my personal 
observation. 

The "Citizen's Story" gives tlie details of the manner in which 
the Colonel and the Regiment were brought together. I had no knowl- 
edge whatever of the letter written by the citizens of Centre County 
to the Governor, asking for my appointment as Colonel, until a copy 
of it was sent me by Mr. McAllister. Promotion tx> a soldier is always 
attractive and often desirable but there are some things bettor than 
promotion. When the letter reached me, 1 was serving as Lieutenant 
Colonel of the 45th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, with Avhich 
T had been associated for more than a year. Three companies and 
part of a fmirth wore from CVntre Coniitv. I had exercised an inde- 
pendent f'ommand after going to South Carolina from December, 
1801, until 'Tuly, 1862, when the Regiment was reunited and trans- 
ferred from the department of the South to Newport News, Virginia, 
wlior(^ troo]>s from that departmentwere united with Burnside's Exi>e- 
ditionary Corps which had been operating in North Carolina and 
which were to constitute thereafter the Ninth Army Corps. Leaving 
New]X)rt News, without being brigaded, onr Regiment was statiimed 



THE hSTH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 59 

at Acqiiia Creek. Colonel Welch was placed in command of the post and 
kept two companies with him. The balance of the Regiment, with 
headquarters at Brooke's Station, was guarding the railroad from 
that point to Fredericksburg, Virginia, and this was my command. 
iS'ot having been brigaded as yet, the Regiment reported directly to 
General Burnside, who was then organizing his corps. I was in a 
quandary. I was serving with a reoimont which I regarded as equal 
to any in the service. Its morale and discipline were excellent and 
[ had no doubt as to the account which it would give of itself in any 
position in which it might be placed. T was much attached to manv 
of the officers with whom I had been brought into specially intimate 
relations in South Carolina. As already intinnted, many of the men 
were from my home neighborhood and I felt under personal obliga- 
tions to remain with them. In addition to these personal considera- 
tions, there was difficulty in securing a discharge for the purpose of 
accepting increased rank in new regiments then l>eing formed. Those 
considerations had about determined me to decline the offer of the 
command of the new Centre County Regiment, even if it were made 
to me. In my perplexity, upon the receipt of a letter from the ma- 
jority of the Captains of the Regiment, which is one of my valuabh^ 
and valued war relics, I consulted General Burnside, gave him all the 
facts and determined to abide by his decision. I represented to him 
that the Regiment was organized and practically ready to take the 
field. The military exigency which seemed to make the order refus- 
ing a discharge to officers to accept higher rank in new regiments, 
seemed to have passed, as Pojie's campaign was abi>ut finished, the 
Army was back in the defenses of Washington and there was no pros- 
pect of immediate hostilities. I had exercised an independent com- 
mand for nearly a year and thought I might be more useful at the 
head of a new regiment, where my ideas of training and discipline 
could be carried out, than in an old regiment which was already 
trained, which had good officers and would, therefore, not miss me. 
All of tlie Captains, who had been under my command on the outposts 
of Skull Creek and Callibogue Sound on the southern side of Hilton 
Head Island had exercised somewhat independent commands and 
wore, by their experience and training, nmcli better qualified for 



60 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

field officers than usual. My promotion meant promotion for some of 
them. Finally 1 did not expect to be out of the service more than 
about Ihree days. The result was that General Burnside, in a quiet, 
confidential way, informed me that, as he exercised an independent 
command, his corps not then having teen consolidated with the Aran 
of the Potomac, and as I reported directly to him, if I would bring 
him my resignation, he could accept it and no one else would have 
anything to say about it or b© in any way the wiser. I, therefore, on 
the 3d of September, 1862, wrote a letter addressed to him personally 
as follows : 

"Having been tendered the command of a regiment now formed 
in Pennsylvania for during the War and believing that I can be of 
more service to the cause of my country in the position tendered me 
than the one which I now occupy, I respectfully tender my resigna- 
tion as Lieutenant Colonel of the 45th Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- 
unteers." 

On the following day, in Special Orders No. 36, issued from 
the headquarters of the Ninth Army Corps, Acquia Creek, Virginia, 
occurs this extract: 

'*The following named officer, having tendered his resignation, 
is hereby honorably discharged from the military service of the 
United States, being offered the command of a regiment now forming 
in Pennsylvania — Lieut. Col. James A. Beaver, 45th Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. By command of Major General Burnside. Louis Rich- 
mond, Assistant Adjutant General.'' 

On receipt of this order, I hastily broke camp, sent my horses 
overland by my cplored servant "Ike," whom many of the men of our 
Regiment will remember, and left for Washington the same day. 
Having exercised an independent command, it was, of course, neces- 
sary to settle my accounts for quartermaster's and ordnance and ord- 
nance stores in Washington, which was done on Friday, the 5th. I 
also found time to make a short visit to ray brother, Lieut. J. Gilbert 
Beaver, who in command of his company in the 51st Pennsylvania 
(Hartranft's Regiment) was then en route for Antietam. This was 
the last time I was to see him, as he lost his life in the gallant ])nt 
useless charge across the stone bridge on the left of our Army Septem- 
ber 17, 1862. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 61 

Leaving Washington that evening, I arrived in Harrisbnrg on 
the morning of Saturday, the 6th. The companies which composed 
the Regiment were all in camp, the most of tliem mustered into the 
service and ready for regimental organization. K Company, however, 
had not sufficient men to secure a complete organization, but the in- 
vasion of Maryland by the Army of Northern Virginia had then com- 
menced and the railroad connections between Harrisbnrg and Balti- 
more were threatened. It was, therefore, necessary to dispatch 
troops to guard the Northern Central Railway and the organization 
of our Regiment was hastened, so that it might be dispatched for this 
service. Sunday, the Tth, and Monday, the 8th of September, were 
occupied in perfecting the details of organization and in securing 
quartermasters' supplies and ordnance and ordnance stores. On tlie 
8th, field officers were elected and staff officers appointed and the 
Regiment officially numbered 148. 

The slate, as we would call it in modern parlance, was arranged 
when I reached Harrisbnrg. Coming to the Regiment as I did, it 
was not politic nor did I, when the details were given me, think it 
desirable to interfere in any way. Capt. Robert McFarlane, who 
had been Captain of H Company of the 7th Regiment in the three 
montlis service, and was Captain of G Company of our Regiment, 
was elected Lieutenant Colonel. Capt. George A. Fairlamb, who had 
been largely instrumental in recruiting H Company, was elected 
Major. Robert Lipton, who had been Captain of E Company of the 
1st Pennsylvania Cavalry but had resigned on account of his health 
in March, 1862, had been agreed upon as Adjutant, and John George 
Kurtz, editor and proprietor of tlie Central Press, of Bellefonte, as 
Quartermaster. Doctors U. Q. Davis, of Milton, Pennsylvania, and 
C. P. W. Fisher, of Boalsburg, Centre County, were assigned to the 
Regiment as Assistant Surgeons, Dr. Davis being subsequently pro- 
moted to Surgeon December 9, 1862. Rev. W. H. Stevens, who had 
assisted in recruiting H Company, and was its Second Lieutenant, 
was appointed Chaplain. Members of the non-commissioned staff 
were appointed because of their special qualifications for the several 
places to be filled. Joseph W. Muffly, a private of B Company, who 
had been a student at Dickinson Seminary and had enlisted during 



62 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

liis vacation, was, after what would now be termed a civil service 
examination, appointed Sergeant Major. Samuel D. Musser, First 
Sergeant of D Company, who had been a merchant at Pine Grove 
Mills and had considerable business experience, was appointed Quar- 
termaster Sergeant. Lewis W. Ingi-am, of H Company, who had also 
considerable business experience, was appointed Commissary Sergeant. 
Jacob B. Kreider, on the recommendation of the Surgeons, was aj>- 
pointed Hospital Steward, and Robert A. Cassidy, a private of H 
Company, who was an experienced drummer and had special qualifica- 
tions of temperament and disposition, was apointed Principal Musi- 
cian, These appointments were all justified by the subsequent faith- 
ful and intelligent service O'f the several appointees. 

I do not now recall, with sufficient clearness to indicate it, what 
led to the assignment of the several companies in line. Capt. Robert 
M. Forst-er and Capt. Andrew Musser were the senior Captains and 
would have been entitled to the right and left of the line res^Dectively, 
but for some reason an arrangement to which I was not a party, except 
merely to carry it out, had been made by which Capt. Robert H. 
Forster's company was to have the right, Capt. James F. Weaver's the 
left and C'apt. Robert M. Forster's the center as color company, (^ap- 
tain Musiser being given D and taking his place in line as fourth in 
rank. The arrangement, whatever it was, was made by the Captains 
themselves, wais faithfully carried out and proved to be, on the whole, 
adA'-antageous and enitirely satisfactory. The other companies were as- 
signed according to the rank of the Captains. Captain Core's not hav- 
ing been filled to the minimum before we left Harrisburg, took the 
letter K, the Captain not being mustered until after we reached 
Cookeysville. With this organization and assioiiment of com]>anies in 
line on the 0th of September, under verbal orders from Governor Cur- 
tin, the Regiment left Harrisburg in company with the 140th Penn- 
sylvania, a re^ment of which Lieutenant Colonel Fraser, who had 
been professor of mathematics in Jeflferson College, when 1 was a 
student there, was then in command. 

Being charged with the duty of distributing the two regiments 
along tlio line of railroad, 1 posted the l-lOth first and reserved the 
more important bridges and what was regarded as the most dangerous 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 63 

kxjality for our own Regiment. Our field and staff officers had not been 
mustered into the service and were not mustered until Company K 
completed its complement of men, when our muster took place, Octo- 
ber 8, 1862. 

The headquarters of our Regiment were fixed at Cockeysville, 
and those of the l-iOth at Parkton. We guarded some fifteen miles of 
the railroad, extending from a point above the bridge across Gunpow- 
der Creek to a point below Lutherville. We reached Cockeysville about 
six o'clock in the morning of the 10th and I repoited personally to 
Major General John E. Wool, commanding the Eighth Army Corps, 
whose headquarters were at Baltimore, the same day. He confided to 
me, under very general directions, the distribution and location of the 
troops. The scattered condition of the Regiment and the heavy de- 
tails required for outpost and picket duty made it practically impos- 
sible to bring the several companies together for battalion drill, which 
was one of my "fads," and the prospect of exercising which had been 
one of the inducing causes for my accepting a new command, which 
1 supposed would give me opportunity for such exercise. 

Our first general inspection was on Tuesday, the 30th of Sep- 
tember, when all the companies were brought together at Cockeysville, 
except B and K which were at such a distance and had such heavy 
details that it was impossible to have them join the Regiment. They 
were inspected separately on the days immediately following. None 
of you probably remember that inspection as well as I do. It re^ 
quired most of the day and clearly revealed the task which was before 
us all. The result was that, when I finished the inspection of Com- 
pany K, on the 2d of October, I was about as nearly discouraged as 
at any time during my whole military service. The command of a 
regiment was not nearly so attractive and desirable as it had appeared 
to me, when I left the 45th, with its year of service and consequent 
cleanliness, training and discipline. Some of you were not only much 
surprised, when the Colonel at that inspection unbuttoned your coats 
and showed your dirty shirts and tore up your knapsacks from the 
bottom and displayed the soiled clothing which had been hidden by a 
carefully prepared "top dressing," but were mad — in fact, very mad 
— and did not hesitate to express your opinion of such a Colonel. The 



64 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

vigorous way in whicli the Colonel was cursed "from Dan to Beer 
sheba" came to me in many ways ; and, although not specially pleas- 
ing at the time, it indicated that your pride had been touched and in 
this there was hope for the future — a hope which was grandly real- 
ized as we came into closer relations as the weeks and months w^ent 
by and you responded in such an intelligent and soldierly way to the 
demands of a discipline new to you but absolutely essential to the 
highest success in a military organization. 

Life about this time was a more serious problem to me than it 
has ever been since. To prepare our Regiment for all that might be 
required of it by the stern realities of War was the dominant thought 
in my mind day and night. In addition to regular inspections and 
the routine of camp duty, I made many informal rounds of camp, 
guards and outposts a,nd informal inspections of camps and quarters. 
In doing so, I came into more or less personal relations with the men 
of the Regiment and, although tlie serious side was with me ahvays 
uppermost, many things happened which tended to relieve the serious- 
ness of the situation. Many incidents not provided for by regulation 
have found their way into the traditions of the Regiment. I could 
recall many but there is one w^hich perhaps has never been mentioned. 
In making the rounds of the quarters of one of tlie companies, I heard 
considerable profanity which I had been making a strenuous effort 
to check, both by orders and personal reprimands. Coming suddenly 
upon the soldier who was indulging in the profanity, I said to him : 

"Do you know that under the Articles of War you would be 
fined (an amount which I do not now recall) for the profanity which 
you have uttered in my hearing ?" 

Without a word, he put his hand in his pocket and handed me a 
dollar bill. I, of course, did not expect to take his money and, so in 
order to avoid the necessity for it, T said something about not having 
any change. He immediately replied : 

"Never mind the change, Colonel, I expect I'll swear it out." 

It is needless to say thiat the money was not taken and that I 
retreated in the best order possible. 

The first death in the Regiment occurred Sunday, the 21st of 
Septonilx^r, when Condo, of G Company, was drowned in the Gun- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 65 

powder. During the month, of October, Crider, of F ; Fisher, of E ; 
Orr, of I ; and Saylor, of B Companies all died in the hospital. The 
death of these men, due largely to the complete revolution in their 
habits and the lack of proper care of themselves in the matter of diet 
and exposure, made a profound impression upon the Regiment and 
led to more or less of depression of spirits and of homesickness, which 
is one of the most difficult things to deal with in the experience of 
new regiments. In order to counteract tlie evil effects of these un- 
happy influences, as many of the companies of the Regiment as could 
be conveniently assembled were brought, together a number of times at 
Gunpowder Bridge, which afforded in the vicinity excellent gi'ound 
for battalion drill. These drills were helpful in themselves and gave 
most of the companies practice in marching which was very useful. 

On the 14th of jSTovember, lion. Samuel B. Thomas, Deputy 
Secretary of the Commonwealth, came, with a party of ladies and 
gentlemen from Ilarrisburg, to present our state colors to the Regi- 
ment on behalf of the Governor. It was an interesting occasion in 
many ways and especially so to me, because the Regiment had never 
presented a better appearance and had never before that exliibited 
in such marked degree the beneficial effects of our Sunday morning 
and monthly inspections and occasional battalion drills. The Regi- 
ment was proud of itself that day, as I certainly was of it, and the 
officers and men alike enjoyed the favorable comments which were 
made by our visitors and the people of the neighborhood upon its 
soldierly appearance and the precision and ease of all its movements 
in battalion drill ajid review. 

In a letter to my mother, written the 28th of November, I spoke 
of our Thanksgiving Day on the 2-l:th and said : 

''I spent most of the day superintending my new hospital which 
is now almost finished and which will be ready to be occupied early in 
the coming week. We have bedsteads, plenty of bed clothes now, and 
a party of ladies from Harrisburg — Mrs. Burnside, Mrs, Curtin, the 
Misses Cameron and some otliers — are coming down to fix it up for 
us, so I hope to see my poor, sick boys comfortable and cheerful in a 
few days. The Ladies' Aid Society, of Philadelphia, have sent us 
four large boxes and two barrels of hospital supplies — pillows and 
cases, sheets, bed ticks, shirts, slippers, handkerchiefs, drawers — in 



66 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

fact everything we need. There are some boxes on the way from 
Centre County also and, when the ladies come from Harrisbiirg, they 
will bring us whatever we want. The new hospital is fift^^ feet long 
and eighteen feet wide, with kitchen, etc., attached. 1 will have it 
papered on the inside with bright, cheerful paper, which will answer 
the double purpose of making it look and feel much more comfort- 
able." 

In the same letter : 

"Our barracks at this place are almost finished and if next week 
is favorable, I hope to see all my family comfortably fixed for the 
winter. The boys are becoming soldiers very fast and I expect to- 
morrow's inspection to show me a neater, cleaner set of soldiers than 
T ever saw before." 

These extracts call vividly to mind the efforts which we had 
made and were making to ]>rovide comfortable quarters for sick 
and well alike and the various sources from which help oame to pro- 
vide for the comfort of the siok. The latter extract indicates how 
rapidly the men were learning to take care of themselves and to appre- 
ciate for their own sakes the importance of neatness and cleanliness 
in a soldier. 

The most of the letters written by me during the War were pre- 
served by my mother and furnish me with much reliable data as to 
the things which interested me most in the internal life and discipline 
of the Regiment. I wrote very little of such news as she could get 
from the newspapers for, as you will well remember, we scarcely ever 
Anew what we ourselves had done, so far as general results were con- 
cerned, until the newspapers were received. 

The monthly inspection of Saturday, November 29th, showed all 
that r expected as to appearance and cleanliness. It was very thor- 
ough and occupied most of the day. The disorder in one of the com- 
panies was very great which was not only not checked but seemed to 
be connived at by the officers. The company was marched off the 
ground during the inspection and the officers placed in arrest. This 
inspection in all of its results was most salutaiy and helpful in manv 
respects and I do not recall one <^ubs;ofiuently, under like favorable 
conditions, which fell below the standard which was there made for 
tidiness and cleanliness, and the severe measures resorted to for re- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 67 

pressing disorder were never repeated, because never necessar)'. The 
men had grasped tlie idea and were giving ])ractical effect to it. In 
my next letter to my mother I spoke of a compliment paid the Regi- 
ment, which many of yun will recall, for it was widely noised about 
at the time: 

''The regiments which were taken prisoners at Harper's Ferry 
were sent to Chicago and, having been exchanged, are now on their 
way to Washington. They have been some time in service and would 
be likely to know a neat soldier, if they saw one. They stopped here 
on their way down and, seeing our pickets go by and the guard in 
front of my door with their clean, wliite gloves, burnished brasses 
and blackened shoes, several of the officers called up some of our men 
who were standing about and asked them whether we were not regu- 
lars. T, of course, cannot judge very impartially but I think I never 
saw such improvement in so short a time. Tn fact, T never saw an 
inspection as creditable as that of today." 

In the midst of all our planning and building, with engagements 
of various sorts extending several weeks into the future, came, as is 
alwaj's to be expected by a soldier, maTching orders, on December 
7th. These orders directed us to proceed to Washington by rail and 
to report to General Casey, who assumed command of troops as they 
arrived in Waishington, assigned them to brigades, etc., and so our 
hospital was never pajiered, our friends from Harrisburg, who had 
promised and planned to arrange the details of it and look out for 
the comfort of our sick ones, never came, the erection of our winter 
quarters was stopped and, on the 9th of December, we went by rail 
to Baltimore, where we were obliged to remain more than twenty-four 
hours, because of the lack of transportation. We were compelled to 
leave behind us about eiglify who were unable to march or 
bear the fatigue of transportation. They were afterwards sent to 
the hospital at York and elsewhere, where a number of them died 
There was no connection between the Northern Central and the Balti- 
more & Ohio, which was the only railroad from Baltimore to Wash- 
ington, so we marched across the city, meeting nothing but apparent 
good will and many friendly manifestations, being fed during our 
stay at the Union Relief Association quarters. Upon reaching Wash- 
ington at three o'clock in the mornin."' after reporting to Geri©ral 



68 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Casey, I found that there could be no transportation for many days, 
inasmuch as all the steamers were employed in carrying stores to the 
Army of the Potomac, then supposed to be engaged or about to be 
engaged in the battle of Fredericksburg. We were ordered to march 
do^^^l the Maryland side of the Potomac to Liverpool Point opposite 
Acquia Creek. Other troops, among them the 140th Pennsylvania 
Regiment, made the same march, but we marched independently and 
were not brought, during the march, into intimate relations with 
them. 

We marched out of Washington about five miles on the evening 
of the 11th reaching Liverpool at 1 :00 p. m. on the 15th, and crossed 
to Acquia Creek on the 16th, having occupied parts of five days in the 
march. I recall no special incidents of the march, except the ride 
back to Washington, after we started on our journey, to insure a plen- 
tiful supply of commissary and quartermasters' supplies and secure 
the assignment to the Regiment of an additional Assistant Surgeon, 
and the effort to prevent a raid upon an inviting turnip patch along 
the road, which was only partially successful. The w^eather was rather 
pleasant, viewed from a Centre County standpoint, except the first 
night out, which was very uncomfortable because of rain, mud and 
frost, but the roads were in bad condition which made marching hea\'y 
and progress slow. I am gratified to find in my diary, however, under 
date of December 12th: ''Regiment marched well; little or no 
straggling." 

I recall witli oTcat dii^finetness the scene which presented 
itself as wo reached the Potouuic at Liverpool Point. Steamers 
with supplies from Washington and those carrying the wounded 
north were numerous. Our boys from the country, who had never 
witnessed such a scene, were excited and jubilant. The scene was in 
itself intensely interesting but T was divided between my interest in 
the extravagant demonstrations of enjoyment on the part of the men 
and the sorrowful tidings which awaited us as we reached there of the 
crushing defeat of the Army of the Potomac at Fredericksburg. Cross- 
ing the river, in a drenching rain, we reached Acquia Creek, remain- 
ing on board the steamer until (nir clothing and ix^rsonal belongings 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 69 

were sufficiently dried, and marched thence to the headquarters of thfj 
Army Deeeuiber 17th. 

General Burnside, then at the head of the Army of the Potomac, 
directed me to report to General Snmner, the commander of the right 
grand division. He in turn referred me to General Couch, command- 
ing the Second Corps, who sent me to General Hancock, commanding 
the First Division, and by him we were ordered to report to Colonel 
Von Schaack, who commanded the First Brigade in the absence of 
General Caldwell who had been wounded in the assault upon Fred- 
ericksburg. William G. Mitchell, who had been on the corps of en- 
gineers of the Belief onte and Snow Shoe Railroad and had gx)ne out 
as Lieutenant in the 4-9th Pennsylvania Regiment, was an Aide upon 
General Hancock's staff. 1 think he must have prepared the General 
for my reception. He was cordial and pleasant and made many in- 
quiries in regard to the Regiment, its strength, where raised, etc., 
and, in giving him my views of discipline and the desire to be placed 
in a brigade wdiere what 1 expected of my Regiment would be expected 
of me, I evidently made a favorable impression, which, being 
strengthened by subsequent fortunate experiences, established the 
most pleasant relations betw^een us which continued to the end of the 
War and thereafter. 

We found our place on the lOth of December and on the -21 st 
I wrote home : 

"Our bearings have been ascertained and we find ourselves in 
the First Brigade, First Division, Second Army Corps, Right Grand 
Division, Army of the Potomac. Our division commander, General 
Hancock, is one of the best officers of this Army and, as we are directl;^, 
but little interested in those who are beyond our own Division, I feel 
very much disposed to rejoice that we have found a man of so large 
experience, nerve and decision." 

And thus we were brought into relationships, so far at least as 
the Division was concerned, which were to continue until the end of 
the War, and, as this seems to be an appropriate place for ending a 
chapter, I will preserve for another the story of our further prepara- 
tion for and participation in the serious work which confronted the 
Army of the Potomac. 



70 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

THE COLOXEL'S STO'EY. 

By Gen. James A. Beaver. 



CHAPTER II. 

WINTER QUARTERS OF 1802-1863 TO RETUR:N from CIIANC'EELORS- 

VILLE. 

Upon joining the First Brigade, the gi'onnd for onr camp was 
pointed out and, upon examining it, was found to have within itself 
much of what was needed not only for camping but for building our 
winter quarters. It was evidently an old tobacco field which had 
grown up with a second growth of ]>ine just about the right size for 
buildiug huts. Our regimental front w^as larger than that of most 
brigades in the Army of the Potomac at that time. We formed a 
line in front of our oamp and took all the ground covered by our regi- 
mental front. This gave us a generous allowance for streets and quar- 
ters. We were on tlie right flank of the division immediately adjoining 
the Irish Brigade, which was the Second Brigade of our Division. The 
to]X>graphy of the ground, as well as the fact that we were upon the 
flank, led us to face up the river. A ]>ublic road led through tlie 
camp parallel with the company streets. This gave us fine facil- 
ities for receiving our stores and also o-ave us command of the road. 
Our camp was laid out according to regulations and then came a 
period of waiting for our tents. 

All our wagon transportation liad In-on turned in before leaving 
Oockeysville and wo were, therefore, compelled to rely u]>on puldic 
transportation for our camp and garrison equipage. No tents could 
be taken with us and, as no shelter tents had been issued to us at that 
time, we bivouacked from tlic time we left Washington until our tents 
arrived several days after we reached the Army of the Potomac. On 
the niarcli, with the exception of one night, the weather was not in- 
tensely oold, but wa.=! wet and in many respects disagreeable. After 
joining the Army, however, the temperature changed materially and 
1 find in one of my letters a remark in regard to it: 

"The weather has heen extremely cold and, as our boys are witli- 
out their tents, it has required some considerable ingenuity to make 
themselves comfortable. This has been exercised in various ways, 
however, and I have been sur]>rised to find how comfortable men can 
make thernselves without shelter, when necessity requires it." 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 71 

111 due time, however, our tents arrived and the dcstrnetion o:^ 
the pine timber began. Here came into plaj in a splendid way tlie skill 
of onr W'Oodsmen from Centre, Cameron and Clarion Counties. Com- 
pany F had a detachment from about Snow Shoe, and in it were 
two specially fine woodsmen who were mucli over age — Wash Watson 
and Bill Perry. We organized our pioneer corps and they were, i;i 
a measure, the leaders of it, both as to size and efficiency with axes. 
As I think of them now, they must have been w^ell onto sixty years 
of age. Watson had a long white beard and Perry, although close 
shaven, seemed to be of equal age. They rendered splendid service 
as woodsmen and kept their axes almost continuously employed dur- 
ing our entire term of service. 

Dear old Wash Watson ! He was as solicitous as a father for 
my comfort and welfare and was generally on the detail for putting 
up my quarters, whether consisting of a tent fly for the night or an 
elaborate hut of matched and dressed logs for permanent winter quar- 
ters. On the march, he habitually fixed my office, without any inti- 
mation on the subject, which consisted of driving four stakes in the 
ground, upon which my field desk was set, and a fifth one in front, 
upon which the lid rested. When this was done, I was ready for busi- 
ness at all times. He also provided for my comfort and cleanliness 
in making a washstand outside of my tent by driving a stake in the 
ground and nailing the end of a cracker box on it. It is astonishing 
how easiW one's comfort is provided for under the stress of necessity. 
In the winter of 1863-1864, after my winter quarters woi'c fini-^hed, 
1 secured a furlough for Wash outside the quota allowed his company. 
When he returned, ho brought me, with much pride and satisfaction, 
an a.mbrotype enclosed in a case, in which an unsuspected strain of 
vanity appeared, the old fellow having tied a i-ed woolen sash around 
his waist, before the picture was taken. How vividly the old times 
come back, when little incidents like this flash across the memory. 

Our huts for winter quarters were planned so as to be double the 
size of an A tent. They were built of pine logs — say three or four 
feet high — and upon them were securely fastened two A tents, fac- 
ing each other, with the flaps crossed, so as to make a room inside 
about 7x14-. The older troops, who had been through the campaign- 



72 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

of the summer and fall of 1862, had turned in their A tents at the 
opening of the spring campaign and had received shelter tents in place 
of them. These were nsed by them for roofs of their winter quarters 
and the fact that we had regular tents, as well as the size of our camp, 
indicated that we were a "new regiment." 

The completion of the camj) was si>eedily accomplished and we 
settled do^vn to a winter's hard work. Even before our tents arrived, 
we had been out upon battalion drill several times, an exercise which 
was hardly considered worth the "\vhile by the regiments which had 
been decimated by the campaigns through which they had passed, 
some of which were less, in number of effective men, than some of our 
companies. It was not remarkable, therefore, that, as we marclied 
through the Irish Brigade to our splendid drill ground, the road was 
lined with veterans who had not seen for many months a regiment with 
full ranks, and, as we went by from day to day, with our large drum 
corps, our full ranks and our new flags flying, it was not surprising 
that many remarks half jest, half earnest, were made at our expense. 
I did not know certainly how to interpret a remark of one of the mem- 
bers of the Irish Brigade, as we went out one day for battalion drill. 
"Och, Colonel, it's loike the Fourth of July tO' see yez goin' out," 
may have meant that we were simply holiday soldiers or it may have 
impressed him as a sight that recalled the display and parade usually 
attending the celebration of our nation's birthday. Our white gloves 
were the target of many jocose remarks, but the use of them was in- 
sisted upon during our entire term of service^ — not so much for the 
show — although that was a consideration from the military stand- 
point — but tlie cost and care of them was very much less than the 
extra care and labor required upon the arms, when they were not in 
use. 

Very soon after our arrival, being upon battalion drill, I noticed 
a General and his staff in our neighborhood. Lieutenant Mitchell 
rede up and informed me that General Hancock was near and I in- 
quired whotlior it would be his pleasure to review the Regiment. The 
Word came tliat ho would be glad to do sq and, being then marching 
in column and having in the meantime cautioned the company com- 
manders as to their distances, we wheeled into line as beautifullv as 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 73 

we ever did it aiid immediately opened ranks for the review. 1 pre- 
sented the battalion, tlie General rode along its front and rear and, 
without waiting for us to pass in review, went to his camp. The 
Regiment made a good impression and assisted me thereby in securing 
what was just tlien a result for which I was laboring most earnestly. 
When the Regiment was araied and equipped at Harrisburg, no 
arms were available, except a heavy, cumbrous, awkward piece, with 
a large sword bayonet called the Vincennes rifle, caliber .09. I com- 
menced very early a vigorous campaign for a change of these arms 
and, in response to the requirements of General Orders 'No. 167, War 
Department, Adjutant General's office, October 24, 1862, requiring 
"Every commanding officer of a detachment, company, regiment or 
ix)st who has arms in his possession or under his control, to make 
within ten days after the receipt of the order, if in camp, or twenty 
days, if on the march, an inventory stating the number, caliber, etc., 
of all the arms in his possession," made an inventory and report 
which was intended to be a, protest against the unserviceable condition 
of our arms. I retained a copy of this report for future use and have 
it by me now. We had 882 of these rifles, of which forty-seven were 
unserviceable: and, in the colunm of "Remarks," occurs this descrip- 
tion of them : 

"General Orders No. 167, the 24th of October, 1862, received 
7th E^ovember, 1862. The arms in use are less in number than the 
number of men in the R-egiment, hence not only those seiwiceable but 
also the unserviceable are required to be kept in use. The caliber of 
the piece may be reckoned as .69, although the bore is so irregular 
that, whilst in some instances, .69 caliber ammunition fits the bore 
tightly, in others it falls from the muzzle to the breech. In many in- 
stances in firing at a target at two hundred and fifty yards the balls 
fall short, without even penetrating the ground. The locks are of 
soft iron and many of them are already unserviceable from wear. The 
workmanship, both in the wood and iron, is extremely rough and the 
piece very heavy. The bayonet is a formidable sword bayonet The 
rifling of the piece is very shallow and adds nothing to the accuracy or 
efl^ectiveness of the weapons. Alto'gether, the wea]X)n is very ineffi- 
cient and unreliable." 

After joining the Army of the Potomac, I soon asked for an in- 
spection, with a view to thfe condemnation of these arms. The inspec- 



74 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

tion was made, the arms condemned as unfit for active service and our 
campaign for new ones began. As the winter wore on and we did not 
seem to be accomplish ing much in the way of securing what we de- 
sired, I called to m_v aid, as I often did subsequently, Hon. James T. 
Hale, of IJellefonte, then the meml^er of CongTess from our district. 
He responded immediately promising all the aid in his power. In 
this as in very many other instances, where I endeavored to accom}> 
lish results through his assistance, I was rapped over the knuckles 
through regular military channels for presuming to attempt to secure 
help from outside sources, but I was quite willing to stand all ra]>?. .if 
the results followed. Judge Hale was untiring in his efforts to serve 
our Regiment. Many of the officers and men will recall his special 
interference in tlieir behalf in the matter of the extension of leaves of 
absence and furloughs and similar services. 1 never called upon him 
for any hel]; for the Regiment that it was not cheerfully and heartily 
rendered. He occupied a very influential position in Congress and 
was highly esteemed, both by the Pre^^ident and the Secretary of War. 
When he exerted himself, therefore, we felt the heljiful influence of 
his efforts and, in this vital matter of the change of our arms, as well 
as in other cases, when I appealed t(^ him later in behalf of some of 
our poor fellows who were in my judgment wrongfully condemned, 
he never failed us and, in some instances, I am quite sure, without his 
help, results would have been very different. As a consequence of 
following up our inspection reports energetically through regidar 
channels and getting Judge Hale's assistance with the authorities at 
Washington before the campaign of 18G3 opened, we were fortunate, 
prior to the 9th of I'ebrnary, in securing a full supply of new .58 
caliber Springfield rifles, and I had the satisfaction of writing, on 
the ilth of February, 1863: 

"We have received wow arms during the ]>ast week and 1 now 
have the satisfaction of knowing that the liegiment is su])])lied with 
the l>est arms in the world." 

This was regarded as important, not only because of the in- 
creased effectiveness of the arm but, as our Vincennes rifles were of 
.no caliber, the same as the old Harjx^r's Ferry musket, T had greatly 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 75 

feared that the pro}>eT ammunition might not be avaihihle, in case of 
a scarcity in an emergency. 

After onr general camp was in good condition, Colonel McFar- 
lane, Major Fairlanib and I pooled our issues and had a large but 
built upon which we erected our three wall tents, one of them at right 
angles to the other tAvo, being used as a bed room and the two, cover- 
ing a huge hut, with a fire place at the end, large enough to contain 
all the officers of the Regiment for an officers' school. In this the 
officers assembled sometimes two or three times a week for officers' 
school, in which the school of the soldier, the school of the company 
and the school of the battalion were carefully taught and, in connec- 
tion with actual practice in the manual of arms, soon made all our 
officers, even those who had no previous military experience, proficient 
in drill and capable of instructing their non-commissioned officers and 
of drilling their companies. 

By the 4th of January, 1863, our whole camp was in good con- 
dition, and I was able to write, so far as jiersonal quarters were con- 
cerned : 

"We are quite comfortable in our new house ; have it carpeted 
mth small pine boughs which are a great improvement over the dusty 
groimd. To make our domestic affairs run smootlily, we only need a 
good cook. My boy Ike, who now acts as cook, has very little capacity 
in such things. Fried mush is the principal article of diet now and 
it's well that we can get it." 

We joined in a review of our Corps on the 17th of January, 
which gave us an opportunity to see a large body of troops together. 
This was preparatory to the movement for which marching orders 
came on the morning of the 20th, the movement beginning that day. 
It continued Wednesday, the 21st, and Thursday, the 22d, through 
almost continuous rain. The mud became almost liquid and abso- 
lutely precluded further movements. The movement was counter- 
manded on Friday the 23d, and thus ended what was kno\\ai as 
"Burnside's Mud Marcli." We did not move from our camp and, as all 
the troops moving up the river either went through our camp or imme- 
diately on its flank, we were privileged to see the most of the move- 
ment, without experiencing anything of its annoyances and discom- 
forts. 



76 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

I find in a letter, dated January 23, 1863, a reference to a detail 
which enabled nie to witness some of the incidents attending the 
change in the command of the Army of the Potomac shortly there- 
after : 

"I have been on a court martial for more than a week and this 
evening there comes an order from the headquarters of the Army, 
detailing me on another court. As I anm the eleventli on the list, 1 
presume I will meet some officers high in rank on the court. Although 
sorry to be taken from my Regiment just at this time, T am glad, be- 
cause it will give me an opportunity of seeing and meeting more in- 
timately officers from other ]>arts of the Army." 

In obedience to that detail, I reported at army headquarters and 
•write, February 1, 1863 : 

''On going over to General Burnside's headquarters last Mon- 
day morning, to attend a court martial, T found everything in con- 
fusion consequent upon the change of commanders. The parting 
scene was just beings enacted and I joined in the performance. I was 
really sorry to see General Burnsidc leave. Pie has been so exceed- 
ingly kind to me and I do not forget kindness. T know little of Gen- 
eral Hooker and all I need to know is that he is my commandeT." 

Fu the same letter, reference is made to the illness of Colonel 
McFarlane, "Who has the first symptoms of typhoid fever and goes 
home in the morning on tAventy days' leave of absence." Dr. George 
L. Potter, of Bellefonte, Surgeon of the 145th Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, accompanied him home. Tt may be well to say here that, after 
reaching home, the ColoneFs illness became a ]U'onounced case of ty- 
phoid fever, which detained him at his home for several months and 
from which he returned too soon and thereby not only endangered his 
restoration to complete health but laid the foundation for a condition 
which compelled him to resign later. 

About this time we had an epidemic of fever and, in a later let- 
ter, after speaking of Colonel McFarlane's case, I said : 

"We bave quite a nuiii1)('i' of cases of fever and have lost several 
men lately. We seem to have brought the seeds of the disease with 
us from Maryland." 

This epidemic became verv serious and had an un- 
favorable influence upon men who were not stricken with the 
disease. T spent considerable time going about with Dr. Davis in 
visiting the sick and was impressed with his view that many men 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 77 

were suffering not so much from disease as from pure homesickness 
and, ill one ease which I well remember, the doctor spoke of one of 
our men who occupied a somewhat important position in the com- 
missary department — that he was dying, because his wife could not 
write a cheerful letter. February 2Tth I wrote: 

'"Our hosj)ital is full ; the quarters of the men are full of sick; we 
are just passing tlirough our hardest trials as a Regiment. The whole 
number of deaths, since we entered the service, is twenty-nine. Of 
these nine died this month. This awful weather kills men on picket. 
I hope we are over the worst. Typhoid fever is tlie prevailing dis- 
ease. It seems to take one or two companies at a time. Some of 
the companies have little or no sickness ; others have as many as 
twenty-tive or thirty cases." 

I find, in a letter of March 24th, a somewhat detailed description 
of a punishment inflicted upon some deserters which the entire Di- 
vision was called upon to witness. 1 do not now recall their regiment 
but the ceremony, if it could be called such, was most impressive. 
March 24, 1863, I wrote: 

''One week ago today I wrote you at length of the festivities of 
St. Patrick's Day, or, as our boys say, of the 17th of Ireland. Today 
I witnessed another phase of army life — one which never ])re3ented 
itself to me before. We were asked this morning to assemble on our. 
division drill ground to witness the punishment of some deserters 
who were sentenced to be drummed out of the service. Our whole 
Division was present, drawn up in two lines, facing each other. After 
the lines were formed, a large procession started at the right of our 
Brigade with a noise which resembled the rush of mighty waters. As 
it neared us, I could distinguish the notes of the Rogue's March above 
the rolling of at least fifty drums. The procession neared us. First 
came three men with downcast eyes and tottering limbs, in soldier's 
garb, the buttons and facings cut from their uniforms, their hats in 
their hands, the side of their heads turned toward us shaved clean and 
white. Behind them came three soldiers at a charge bayonet, the 
bayonets just close enoaigh to make the culprits wish to keep out of 
their way. Next came the huge army of drums, oom^wsed of the 
drum corps of all the regiments in the Division. After the procession 
passed, I noticed 'Coward' in large letters painted on a board and 
hung on the back of each of the men being drummed out. As they 
passed around to march down the front of the line opposite us, their 
heads looked natural. They had been sihaved on but one side. It was 
a hideous sight. I think no man who witnessed the ceremony, if it 
can be called a ceremony, will be inclined to imitate the gentlemen 
thus summarily disposed of." 



78 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

AboTit this time, at the earnest recjuest of officers of the 134th 
Pennsylvania Regiment, I became connsel for Gen. E. B. Tyler, who 
commanded a brio-ade in the Third Division of the Fifth Cor]is. The 
charges were based npon technical disobedience of orders: 1st, in 
refusing to draw dress coats for a review, as directed l)v the division 
commander; and, 2d, in making a report to Governor C'nrtin, ontside 
of military channels, contrary to a General Order from the head- 
quarters of the Army commending Col. M. S. Quay for exceptionally 
gallant conduct at the battle of Fredericksburg. The facts were 
against us and indicated technical guilt but we endeavored to justify, 
on the groiiiiil thai the term of the service of the men was about to 
expire and it was unfair to compel them to purchase dress coats, at 
an expense of about $9.00, for the sake of one review ; and that. Col-' 
onel Quay, having resigiied on account of ill health before the battle 
of Fredericksburg and having been out of the service, the only way in 
which his gallantry, as a volunteer Aide during the battle could be 
recognized was by a report to the Governor of the state. This trial 
brought me into contact with a number of our nine months reii'iments 
and gave me a temporary unfavorabh impression of a most gallant 
and capable officei- who was then their division connnand(>r and after- 
wards became the chief of staff of the commander of the Army and 
subsequently the commander of the Second Corjis, Gemu'al A. A. 
irum])hreys. 'Idie result of the coni't martial was a finding that Gen- 
eral Tyler was acquitted of all the charges in-eforred against Inm, ex- 
cept one, tlie facts in regard to wliicli lie admitted. lie was sentenced 
to be re]>rinianded in General Orders and in carrying out the sentence 
it was hai'd to tell whicli was the more culijable, llie accuser or the 
accused. Ahliongli this ox]ierience was outside oui- i'(>'i,imental life, 
it goes to show what made u]t the snni of army cxi'criiMicc^. 

As illustrating the condition of the Army, whi(h I think it did 
not misre])r('S('iit, 1 wrote in Ajtril: 

"General Hooker is enthusiasticidly confident and intends or 
expects to go straight through to Richmond in about a week. Xo 
Army ever was in better condition — well fe<l, well (dothed, well 
armed, well equijiped, well disciplineij, well di'iiled and confident 
The country has a right to expect much fi-oiii it and will doubtless 



THE 148TII PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 79 

have stirring news very shortly. The month of A]!ril will lio tlio 
great month in the history of this War." 

And so I may add it AvonkI have been if the Army conld have had 
its own way. 

Dnring this month Governor Ciirtin paid a visit to the Army 
and, with General Hooker and staff, General Hancock and staff and 
a number of other general officers, made us a visit. We were, of 
course, enthusiastic and the Regiment did its best. After dress pa- 
rade we formed column by division, on the center division, closed in 
mass, which was beautifully executed at the double quick and wdiich 
I can see now, wdien I shut my eyes. It was our usual formation for 
divine service after dress parade Sunday evening and was a beautiful 
movement, when well done. There was no formal introduction. I 
merely said, "Boys, I needn't tell you who' this is ; give him three 
cheers." These were given with a heartiness born of ]iersonal affec- 
tion and esteem for the man, as w^ell as respect and aidmiration for 
the chief executive of our great commonwealth. This, of course, gave 
the Governor a chance tO' make us a little speech, which he did in his 
usual ha]>py and inspiring way and left us well satisfied with our- 
selves and hopeful for the future. The Governor carried this little 
scene in memory as long as he lived and often spoke of it afterwards 
as being the best introduction he ever had. This visit, followed by 
that of the President, was an indication of active movements soon to 
follow. O'n the 11th of April I wrote : 

"The President and his wife have lieeu in the Army this week. 
We have had the most magnificent reviews of cavalry, artillery and 
infantry ever held on this continent. Four corps of the Army — ours 
included — were reviewed on Wednesday, the cavalry were reviewed 
on Monday and the corps which were too far distant t« ]>articipate in 
the review^ of Wednesday were reviewed separately. The day of our 
review^ was not favorable. Our Brigade was ordered to wear their 
overcoats and the appearance of the Regiment w^as thus spoiled. I was 
not satisfied with our jiart of it at all and it was not the fault of the 
men either, for they looked well and marched well, but the overcoat 
hid their uniforms and brasses." 

On the same date I was glad to write: 

"We are improving in health, but few men go to the hos]>ital and 
our convalescents are rapidly becoming fit for duty." 



80 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Colonel McFarlane, however, was not one of the convalescents. 
The news from him was extremely depressing and we had grave 
doubts many times as to his recovery. At the same time Adjutant 
Lipton, who had previously served in the 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry, 
was absent sick. I wrote, 22d of April, 1863, "Our Adjutant is, T 
am afraid, on his death bed. He has been home on sick leave, started 
for the Regiment and was seized with another hemorrhage and is now 
prostrate,'' a prediction ^^'hicJl was after the fact, for he had died at 
Milesburg, April 20th. 

During tlie sickness and (absence of the Adjutant, First Lieuten- 
ant William P. Wilson, of F Company, discharged the duties of the 
office with great acceptance. He was thoroughly qualified for staff 
duty, having been the private secretary of Governor Curtin, and 
afterwards was detailed for such duty upon the Division and finally 
the corps headquarter staff?. On the 27th of April, 1863, Sergeant 
Major Joseph W. Muffly was promoted to the vacancy caused by the 
death of Adjutant Lipton. 

We also lost, by discharge or resignation, during the winter the 
following officers: First Lieut, John E. Thomas, D Company, 16tli 
January, 1863; Second Lieut Lewis C. Edmonds, D Company, Feb- 
ruary Y, 1863 ; First Lieut. Jabez C. P. Jones, B Company, February 
16, 1863 ; Second Limt. David C. Freeman, F Company, March 
2, 1863. These changes gave deserved promotions to some of our 
best non-commissioned officers. Israel F. Musser, First Sergeant 
of D Company, was promoted to First Lieutenant Marcb 1, 1863. 
Sergt. William D. Harper, of B Company, was promoted to First 
Lieutenant in place of Lieutenant Jones, March 1, 1863. Sergt. 
George T. Curvan, of F Company, was promote^d to Second Lieuten- 
ant March 2, 1863, in place of Freeman, resigned. 

The Regiment was paid by Major George Marston, Paymaster 
U. S. A., Thursday, April 16th, the first pay received since the muster 
into service, an event which caused groat rejoicing and relieved the 
necessities of both officers and men. Our Chaplain, as a consequence, 
received a leave of absence and undertook to cariw to the families of 
the members of the Regiment the surplus not needed for personal ex- 
penses. This duty, as were all others, was discharged by him witli the 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 81 

utmost fidelity, the packages, aggregating thousands of dollars, being 
delivered individually to the persons to whom they were directed. 

Reviews and inspections, such as we were having, indicated a gen- 
eral movement and, on Monday, April 27th, marching orders reached 
us. We were in line at sunrise: on the following morning and, after 
a march up the river (the Rappahannock) of five miles, halted and 
bivouacked. Two hundred and fifty men were detailed for picket and 
our pioneer corps and one hundred men in addition for fatigue 
duty. The next day, Wednesday, the 29th, we made additional de- 
tails for fatigute duty and Major Fairlamb went in charge of the 
pioneers and the detail. We marched perhaps four miles and halted 
for the night. It rained a little both days. On Thursday, the 30th, we 
crossed the Rappahannock and marched until about 11 :00 p. m. We 
advanced next morning, Friday, the 1st of May, to a beautiful jwsi- 
tion, about a mile and a half in front of Chancellorsville, looking 
toward Fredericksburg. Before we went into position, a little col- 
loquy occurred between General Couch and General Hancock, heard 
by many of our men, which, being speedily communicated to the 
Regiment, helped to inspire confidence and good cheer. As T rode 
up at the head of the Regiment, General Couch said to (Jeiiernl Han- 
cock : 

"That Regiment can counter-march and occupy a jiositiou on the 
left of the road." 

I remarked : 

"General, if it makes no difference, we can avoid the counter- 
march and come in on the right by file into line." 

General Couch looked at me for a moment and, turning to Gen- 
eral Hancock, said : 

"Can that nciv Regiment do that ?" 

General Hancock replied, with some spirit and in a manner 
which indicated entire confidence in us: 

"General Couch, that new Regiment can do anything in the 
book." 

It was needless to say that we went on the right by file into line 
in fine shape and, when in jTosition, looked ouH upon one of the most 
beautiful scenes imaginable. We were on the to]) of a high ridge 



82 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

commanding the country in our front for at least a couple of miles, 
which were in plain view. It seemed to be an ideal posi- 
tion. It was an ideal position in itself considered. Being in 
the road at the right of the Ilegiment, I heard all that oc- 
curred, as that point seemed to be the headquarters of both 
the Corps and the Division. An ofticer, who proved to be an Aide of 
General Hooker, approached and, in the ordinary military parlance, 
directed General Couch, by General Plooker's order, to retire from 
the position to a point in the rear. General Couch was much sur- 
prised and disturbed and said : 

"That cannot be so, sir." 

The Aide insisted upon it but the General refused to retire, until 
he had sent one of his own staff to ascertain that the order was i^er- 
emptory. When it was definitely ascertained that the change was to 
be made, we retired to a miserable position half a mile in our rear 
which commanded nothing, in which wc remained during the night. 
Before daylight we retired to a good position just in front oi the 
Chancellor House which we made perfectly safe by felling trees and 
converting them into a sort of abatis in our front. Here the Regi- 
ment received its first baptism of fire. We were eom]iaratively safe 
from any attack of tlie enemy in our front, l)iit were vigorously shelled 
by their artillery, to which our own guns replied with much 
spirit. The day passed without special incident, excejit that one of 
onr men, Samuel Holloway, of D Comi)any, was killed by a sabot or 
its fastening from one of our own guns. 

Our Regiment occupied a ]>()sition across one of the roads load- 
ing into the plank road to Fredericksl)urg. When rlic break in th(^ 
Eleventh Corps, which constituted the right wing of <iuv Army and 
which was directly in our rear, occurred, onr troojis l>oinu iri the form 
of a liorseshoe around tlie C^hancellov House, I posted a strong guard 
across this road, in order to ju'event the stragglers and skulkers from 
passing beyond our front and being captured, their idea beina that 
they were going to the rear. A continuous stream of men wei'o tunuMl 
in tlio riiilit direction, the Sergeant in cluirge of the d(>tail, wlio was a 
re-oluto fellow, easily turning aside the ordinary indix'idual straggler, 
somoti'ues inrludinu' indi\-idual otlicev-. Init tinallv he called me and 



THE 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 83 

1 came to find liiin expnstnlatinii- with an officer on horseback who 
proved to be a Colonel at tlio head of his regiment. 1 addressed him 
very sharply and received from him the astonishing- intellig'ence that 
his regiment had been cnt tO' pieces and that he was taking the rem- 
nant to the rear. As there seemed to be behind him a regiment with 
apparently fnll ranks and in marching order, with thoir arms, I qnes- 
tioned the reliability of his statement. We had some sharp w^ords 
but I fonnd it very difficult to impress upon his demoralized brain 
that, instead of going to the rear, lie was going immediately into tliQ 
enemy's front. He finally realized liis position and, counter-march- 
ing his regiment, joined the demoralized forces wdio were crowding 
the road to the river. The incident made a very profound impres- 
sion upon me which was not lessened by the fact that within a year 
this same officer w^as made a Brigadier General, a promotion based in 
part upon his services at Chancellorsville. 

On the first of May a detail of three companies had boon made 
from our Regiment for picket or skirmish duty. Tlie following day 
three additional companies were sent to relieve them but all were re- 
tained upon the skirmish line. On Sunday morning, the ''»d of May, 
we, therefore, had but four companies — C\ D, G and H — with our 
colors. xVfter our breakfast and, while nothing specially urgent 
seemed to be in hand, I heard an officer making an earnest inquiry as 
to Avhether this was a brigade of the First Division of the Second 
Corps. I directed him to General Caldwell \\\\o was in the neigh- 
borhood but, supposing that something was up, called "attention," 
slung knapsacks, took arms and was in the road before we were di- 
rected what to do. In this way our Regiment led the Brigade and 
General Caldwell directed me to follow the road and re]>ort to Gen- 
eral Hooker. As I came into the main road leading tn the river. I 
met General Hooker alone on a small white horse. He inquired if 
this was a brigade of the First I)ivisi(Ui of the Second (^nqis and, on 
being informed that it was, he said : 

"I will show you where to go in." 

As we rode along, he informed me of the ini{ioi-tan('e of tlie 
movement — that we must drive back the enemy who wer(> endeav- 
orins: to reach the roa<l whicli was the main avenue through which 



84 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

we received our supplies, etc., and commimicated with our bridges 
across the river. He rode with me to a little clearing on the left of 
the road as we marched toward the river and directed us to enter the 
woods at that point. We marched along the clearing in front of a 
little white house, which afterwards became our hospital, and, as I 
had been directed not to wait to throw out skirmishers, we marched 
by the left flank and entered the thick white oak underbrush which 
abounds in the Wilderness. It was impossible to ride through it and 
I, therefore, dismounted, as did all the field officers, and left my 
horse in charge of some one at the edge of the clearing. We moved 
forward rapidly, marching without a halt over a. line of skirmishers 
of the enemy lying down in the woods and, ^vithin a short time, met 
a most withering fire which poured into our right flank. Finding 
that our line was not parallel to that of the enemy, I ordered the men 
to lie down and to commence firing. Fearing that the other regi- 
ments on our left might not change their direction, if T changed the 
front of our own Reg'iment, I signaled to General Caldwell, who was 
some distance in the rear, to swing the brigade around, so that we 
might meet the front of the enemy fairly. T had just succeeded in 
attracting his attention Avhen I fell violently upon my face, my 
sword flying from my hand and, when I turned upon my back, found 
a hole in my clothing just beneath the two rows of buttons. With- 
out stopping to consider the matter, T inferred that a ball had entered 
there and that my military service wasi ended. A couple of the boys 
who had seen me fall ran up to me and one of them, taking off ]u< 
blanket was preparing to roll me in it, so as to take me away, but I 
said to them that it would be time enough to bury the dead after the 
fight was over and that they had better leave me alone. Balls were 
flying very thickly there, however, aiid they concluded that they 
would get me out of range at all events and, in this way, I was 
dragged until we met some stretcher Ix^arers who toDk me to the hos- 
pital, where Dr. George L. Potter, who in some way had learned of 
my coming, had a table ready for me. Lying upon my back, looking 
into his face, T craild see the deep concern wliieh ho manifested. 
After opening my clothing and examining tlio wound, however, and 
putting his little fingers into tlio ajx^rturos of the wound — there 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIA VOLUNTEERS 85 

being two of them — I noticed, before he said a word, a great change 
in his face, followed by, "All, Beaver, that's all right." The ball 
had struck me in the side, standing as I was facing to the rear to 
attract General Caldwell's attention, and had evidently struck a little 
gulta percha lead pencil which J. Dunlop Shugert had presented to 
me, before we left home. This had been shattered into a half dozen 
or more pieces and had evidently turned the course of the ball, so 
that it went through only the fleshy part of the abdomen and did not 
enter the abdominal cavity. 

Some of the drum corps of the Regiment who were present im- 
mediately arranged a stretcher and carried me the entire distance to 
and across the river, where we found our wagon train and where I had 
a tenti put up and remained for a day or two, until the result of the 
movement was ascertained. After learning that the Army was to re- 
cross the river, I went in an ambulance to Falmouth, took a box car 
with a little hay in the bottom, tilled with wounded suffering from 
all sorts of w^ounds, to Acquia Creek and went thence by boat to 
Washington, where Dr. William E. DeWitt, whom I had known in 
boyhood, as a physician at my old home in Belleville, met me, by 
direction of Surgeon Clymer, and took me to a comfortable boarding 
house, where he faithfully attended me, until I was able to travel. 

After my return homo, I received from Major Fairlarab a report 
of the battle, accompanied by a list of the killed and wounded, which 
tells its own story. It has not, 1 think, been heretofore published. 

Headquarters 148 Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

May 8, 1863. 
Colonel : I have the honor to report to you the part taken in 
the engagement near Chancellorsville, Virginia, by this Regiment and 
subsequent to the time you w^ere wounded and removed from the field. 
The Regiment continued to advance and was soon exposed — that is 
the right companies w^ere — to a cross-fire which in a few minutes cut 
down many of our best men. Lieutenants Bible and Stevenson fell 
dead. Captain Bayard and Lieutenants Johnston and Rliinehart were 
wounded and left the field. Lieutenant Bayard mms slightly wounded 
but remained and afforded me valuable assistance. Companies C and 
D were now without officers and Company H had but one officer. 
After a fierce struggle, we drove them from the rifle pits in our front 
and, advancing, met them again with the sams result. By this time 
Company D had a little over twelve men remaining and Companies 



86 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

C and H not over half. Company G being- on the left, snffered cuni- 
paratively little, not being e^xposed to the cross-fire. The enemy then 
getting guns into position to rake us with grape and canister, the 
General ordered ns to fall hack, which we did in line of battle, 
moving obliquely to the right and lialting every few paces to check 
our pursuers with a volley of musketry. After leaving the woods, we 
were formed in line along its margin for some time and then, 
according to orders, I marched by the flank behind tlie artillery and 
there we threw up a line of entrenchments which, constituting the 
front, we had the honor to hold until the night of the 5th, exposed 
to a heavy fire of shot and shell and from sharpshooters. On the 
night of the 5th, the whole Army was ordered to cross the river, wdiich 
we accomplished in the morning and by noon of the 6th day of May 
reached our old camping ground. 

T enclose a list of the killed, wounded and missing. T believe 
that many of those reported missing are killed. 

Very respectfully, Your obedient sen^ant, 

George A. Fairi.amb, 
Major Commanding. 

List of the killed, wounded and missing of the 148th Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia, 
fi'om May 1 to 5, ISOo, inclusive: 

Col. James A. Beaver musket ball in side; severely. 
Ma.j. George A. Fairlamb, chin; slightly. 

Company A. 

Capt. Robert IT. Forster, throat ; slightly. 
Jacob Emeriek, face; severely. 
Daniel Long, shell, calf of leg. 
Xathaniel Boob, musket ball, face. 

COMJ'ANY B, 

Sergt. Michael F. Conner, leg and arm ; severely. 

William Ammerman, head ; slightly. 

John Biddle, arm ; badly. 

Michael A. Brown, head ; slightly. 

Joseph Tddings, arm. 

Matthias Walker, arm. 

Fred Doughman, wounded ; not severely. 

Company C. 

Lieut. Wm. H. Bible, killed. 

Lieut. Francis Stevenson, killed. 

First Sergt. C. C. Herman, right arm ; flesh wound. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 87 

Sergt. A. Green Carter, killed. 

Sergt. Jacob Lander, calf of right leg. 

Sergt, J. F. Benner, head ; slightly. 

Corp. Christian Swartz, arm. 

Corp. John Swiler, mortally. 

Corp. James Beek, killed. 

Corp. Nathan Yamell, killed. 

Albert Adams, left side; slightly. 

Jacob Bard, killed. 

William Carner, arm and tliigh. 

Renben Cronemiller, shoulder and arm. 

John Craig, arm and thigh. 

William Campbell, missing. 

Jacob Dornian, missing. 

Martin Fnnk, missing. 

Llewellyn Fulton, leg; slightly. 

Robert Grater, side and shoulder ; badly. 

William Lambert, wounded. 

Fabian Matts, arm ; severely. 

Wm. Musselman, missing. 

Henry Markle, missing; supposed killed. 

Thomas McBath, slightly in face. 

Wm. McCalmont, head ; slightly. 

Henry Pennington, throat and arm. 

Simon Segner, missing; supposed killed. 

J. Calvin Sowers, breast. 

Henry Sowers, abdomen, mortally. 

William Smith, killed. 

John Thomas, arm and breast; badly. 

John Jaokson, abdomen. 

Thomas Williams, left eye and left arm. 

Andrew Whiteall, slightly. 

Ezra Walters, arm ; slightly. 

Joseph Yetters, mortally. 

Christian Swiler, left arm ; badly. 

Amos Garbrick, missing. 

William Norris, killed. 

Robert C. K'eil, head ; slightly. 

Samuel Bottorf, right hand. 

Daniel Shivery, wounded. 

James Ward, face; slifi^htly. 

Joseph Leo, thigh and riijht hand; badly. 

Frederick Yocum, left hand ; slightly. 



88 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Company D. 

Lieut. A. A. Rhinehart, left arm. 

Sergt. Samuel Ilarshberger, killed. 

Sergt. John A. Burchfield, left arm. 

Sergt. William Gemmill, head ; ver}^ severely. 

Corp. William Bible, head ; very severely. 

Corp. John I. Fleming, thigh ; severely. 

Corp. Daniel Harter, shoulder. 

Corp. Wm. Weaver, wounded. 

Corp. John Bathgate, abdomen ; sliulitly. ■ 

George Allen, wounded. 

Jacob Kane, killed. 

Daniel Osman, killed. 

Samuel Leitzell, killed. 

Samuel Holloway, killed. 

Cliarles Hart, foot; amputated. 

Alfred Rankin, leg ; flesh wound. 

S. P. Lansbury, head. 

Thaddeus Stover, both legs; severely. 

Benjamin Bloom, right leg; severely. 

David Wance, hip; slightly. 

William Reed, left arm. 

David Young, killed. 

Falser Imboden, missing. 

David Ilarshberger, hip; severely. 

Daniel Wolf, hip; severely. 

Charles Runkle, knee; badly. 

David Kerr, head ; slightly. 

David Eters, head ; slightly. 

Henry Campbell, leg; slightly. 

John Murphy, killed. 

William Knarr. thigh and right side; severely. 

Jacob Dunkle, left arm, thiirh and left eye; severely. 

Franklin Durst, missing. 

John Reed, missing. 

Corp. Franklin Koch, killed. 

David Acker, killed. 

Michael Bower, shoulder. 

Alfred Fraser, killed. 

Company E. 

Capt. Charles Stewart, foot; very slightly. 
First Sergt. Wm. T. Clark, leg; flesh wound. 
Corp. James Shoppart, hand. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 89 

Company F. 

William Watkiiis, hip; missing on ])'ickrt. 
James Dent, arm. 

Company G. 

Corp. George W. Ward, killed. 

Corp. Wm. L. Taylor, wounded. 

Corp. Joseph Fox, slightly. 

Corp. Daniel S. Keller, neck and back ; badly. 

Henry Eckenroth, arm. amputated. 

Joseph S. Harpster, arm ; badly. 

George W. Ishler, wounded ; since dead. 

William McGuire, throat. 

David Miller, hand ; slightly. 

Reuben Reed, neck ; slightly. 

Alexander Ross, neck ; severely. 

Wm. H. Swinehart, hand; slightly. 

John Youts, arm ; severely. 

Company II. 

Capt. George A. Bayard, head and chest; not dangerous. 

Lieut. John L. Johnston, abdomen ; slightly. 

Second I..ieutenaiit John A. Bayard, side ; slightly. 

Corp. Math. B. Lucas, killed. 

Corp. Richard Miles, shoulder ; amputated. 

Corp. George H. Neiman, hand ; badly. 

Wyrman S. Miller, killed. 

Michael Flynn, killed. 

William Ludwig. 

George T. Jones, badly. 

Jacob Steiner, breast; badly. 

James W. Test, killed. 

Ulysses Wance, killed. 

Harrison Yeager, killed. 

Frederick Reeder, killed. 

Benjamin Zimmernam, killed (mistake). 

William I. Lucas, arm ; severely. 

Michael Lebkecher, arm ; amputated. 

Thomas Myton, arm ; amputated. 

Samuel II. Orris, face ; severely. 

Oscar I^. Runk, hip. 

Charles O. Whippo, arm and leg ; badly. 

John D. Wagner, leg; badly. 

Daniel Woodring, arm ; severely. 



90 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Adoniraiii Yotliers, arm; amputated. 

Daniel O. Farley, abdomen ; slightly. 

Peter Frant^:, arm; badly. 

John \V. Gahagan, arm ajid hip ; severely. 

Francis J. Hunter, arm ; amputated. 

Samuel B. Wyland, hand. 

George H. Long, left foot; slightly. 

Company I. 
Andrew Craft, killed. 
John McManagle, leg and arm ; severely. 
Keuben Lyle, slightly. 
John M. Davis, hand. 

Company K. 

Captain Thompson Core, shoulder ; severely. 
Corp. Ross Kirkpatrick, elbow ; severely. 
Corp. Hugh S. [Neil, killed. 
George Price, thigh ; died later. 
John IS^. Rathbone, arm and side. 
Oliver Pettit, left arm. 
William Wyant, shoulder ; severely. 
Andrew J. Kifer, left hand and arm ; severely. 
Hugh (Jarnahan, missing on picket line. 
John Fox, missing on picket line. 
Robert Huey, missing on picket line. 
Henry Hillegas, missing on picket line. 
Josiah H. Jacobs, missing on picket line. 
James F. McNoldy, missing on picket line. 
Lavinas Shaffer, missing on picket line. 
Adam Wansettler, missing on picket line. 

Note. — It will be remembered that Companies A, B, E, F, I and K were 
on the picket line when Companies C, D, G and H, which remained with the 
colors, were engaged in the woods on Sunday morning, May 3d. The list is 
given just as it waa sent by Colonel Fairlamb, although one or two reported 
killed survived and some who were marked as missing were discovered subse- 
quently to have been killed. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 91 

THE COLONEL'S STORY. 

By Gen. James A. Beaver 



CHAPTER III. 

THE CAMPAIGNS OF 1863 AND WINTER OF 1863-1864. 

As already intimated, it i^^ altogether foreign to my ]"nirpose to 
discuss military eampaiii'ns, miicli less to criticise the action of our 
superiors in their manao-ement. It is impossible to avoid saying, 
however, that the Army was not beaten at Chanoellorsville. The 
strategy and grand tactics which preceded the battle were simply 
superb and, if the troops had been handled during the battle with the 
same comprehensive g:i'asp and decision, the result must have been 
the destruction of Lee's Army and its withdrawal from the line of the- 
Rappahannock. With scarcely more than the one-half of our Army 
engaged and with the Army of NoTthem Virginia divided into two 
parts unable to co-operate, it is not difficult to see what the result 
would have been if our Army had been fought for what was in it and 
what it desired. General Hooker, the commander of the Army, never 
before lacked decision, dash and enterprise and, if they were wanting 
during the battle of Chanoellorsville, the explanation can probably 
be found, at least partially, in the story of Doctor Fisher, who was 
present at headquarters, which is the supplement to "The Surgeon's 
Story." The country had a right to expect, and did expect, a differ- 
ent result, and never perhaps in the history of our Civil War was 
there more dread uncertainty and consuming anxiety as to "what 
next" than between the return of our Army to the north bank of the 
Rappahannock and Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania, which culminated 
so disastrously for the Ccmfederate cause at Gettysburg. 

I shared, during my stay at home, in the uncertainty and 
anxiety, which must have consumed the people who were in the rear 
of the Army during the entire War, to such an extent that I became 
nervous and excitable and felt as if something must be done. The 
ball which entered my body had carried with it some pieces of cloth- 
ing and it required time to get my wound cleared out, so as to enable 
it to heal. When it began to heal fmm the center, however, and 
there seemed to be no danger of internal inflammation, I could not 
restrain mvself, and, tindinu' thnt General Couch had been assigned 



92 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

to the c'diiiiiKind of tlie Department of the Susquehanna, with head- 
quarters at Tlarrisbura-, went there, on the l<^)th of June, thinkiiiii 
that, knowing the Governor and many of tlie people of Harrisburg 
as T did, I might he useful to him in some way and could at the same 
tiuiB hear tlie latest from the front. When I reached Harrisburg and 
visited the General, he immediately appointed me an acting Aide- 
de-Camp upon his staff, although I was weak and tottery and unfit 
for active duty of any kind. 

The militia had been called out and were pouring into Camp 
Curtin by the thousand. The next morning news was brought to the 
General that Captain Tarbutton, who had charge of the camp, had 
unceremoniously left and that pandemonium had broken loose among 
the crowds of unorganized men who were there assembled. The Gen- 
eral in some way discovered that I had been in charge of the outside 
work of Camp Curtin in 1861, when Colonel Welch of the 45th 
Regiment had been in command of the camp. He asked me to go out 
and assume command. I felt utterly unable to do so but, upon his 
insistent request, I called a carriage and drove out. The scene which 
met me, as I entered the gate, is indescribable. The entire camp, 
was a mass of unorganized men, without semblance of order. For- 
tunately, I encountered almost immediately a company from Gettys- 
burg, composed almost entirely of students from Pennsylvania Col- 
lege. The headquarters of the camp were upstairs but I was unable 
to mount the stairs and seized a vacant building near the gate, called 
the boys of this company around me, instmcted them in a very short 
time how to make out requisitions for cam]> e(iui])age, wood and ]n*o- 
visions, explained the difference between quartermaster and conimis- 
sary stores, ]X)inted out the location of each of these departments and 
sent them around with blank requisitions, directing them to call upon 
the Captains of coiujianies and fill the requisitions for them for what 
they were entitled to of camp ecpiipage and also of commissary 
stores. In a very short time tires l>egan t<i be kindled all over the 
camp and, as the companies became stipplied with camp kettles, mess 
pans, plates, knives and forks and with rations to cook, the scene was 
entirely changed and, before nigh I, the caiiip assumed a military 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 95 

aspect and, in a few days, we were sending organized regiments to 
tlie front. 

On the 21st of Jnne I wrote to my mother: 

"I feel so much better now that I shall ask to be relieved here in 
a few days and will then join my Regiment, which T am very anxious 
to see." 

On the 27th of tlie same month: 

"I was on horseback this morning for the first time and suffered 
very little inconvenience from my wound. The place at which the 
ball entered has healed up entirely and the other is very nearly so. 
My locomotion is easy and comparatively comfortable. If Genera^ 
Couch Avill relieve me, I will try to join my Regiment this week. 1 
asked him to relieve me on Friday, so that I could go up home to 
spend Sabbath and then go from there to the Regiment, but he 
thought I could still be of service here and desired me to stay. A 
few days will clear our camp entirely I hope and there can then be no. 
excuse for keeping me longer." 

In the same letter : 

''The rebels are still advancing and are reported in force near 
Carlisle, which is eighteen miles from here. I am hoping to hear of 
the Second Corps striking them in the rear and compelling a retreat. 
If they come here in force, I am afraid our green troops will make 
but a poor stand. As usual, however, I hope for the best." 

On the 3d of July: 

"The news from the Army of General Meade is not definite aii(' 
by no means assuring. I hope for the best, however. The day and 
the rain are both advantageous for us. God help our brave men ! The 
battle of the War has been or is now being fought. I feel much more 
excited and ner^^ous at this distance from tlie scene of conflict tlian 
if I were in range of the enemy's guns. O'ur Division has been en- 
gaged I think ; General Zook, of our Division, is among the killed at 
all events. I am all anxiety to hear from my brave boys. If I were 
with them, I know it would be all right and it is perhaps egotistical 
as well as unjust to doubt them when I am absent." 

There was no reason for doubt or distrust but the feeling was a 
part of that nervous apprehension which was inevitably connected 
with the life in the rear of the Army on the part of everyone greatly 
interested for any reason in what was being enacted at the front. 



94 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

The rebels approached within a few miles of Ifarrisbiirg-, their 
cannonading: being: distinctly audible in the city and their pickets 
visible from the west side of the river. Thei'e was some consterna- 
tion in Harrisburg and many persons who conld conveniently do so 
went elsewhere. The stream of fugitives from the Cumberland Val- 
ley was almost continuous through the city and kept up for days. 
Some went to Camp Curtin to be fed and, in this way, I came in con- 
tact with them. For the most part, however, they continued through 
the city into the Lebanon Valley. 

Although making almost dail}^ application to be relieved, my 
request was not granted until Wednesday, the 15th of July. When 
relieved, General Couch issued a most complimentary order which I 
have preserved as a valuable part of my war record. I could learn 
nothing of the Army and, therefore, determined to go to Washington 
by way of Philadelphia. When I commenced my journey, however, 
I soon discovered that I was not quite so robust as T had seemed in 
Harrisburg and it was necessary for me to proceed quite leisurely. 
I went to Philadelphia on the 16th, making needed purchases of 
blankets, saber, etc., thence to Washington by way of Baltimore, and 
thence to the Re-lay House and up the Baltimore & Ohio to Berlin. 
There Captain Morris, of the quartermaster's department, loaned 
me a horse and I fomid the Regiment near Wood Grove, Virginia. 
Much to my regret, when I joined the Army, I became the senior 
officer of our Brigade and instead of joining my Reg'iment was as- 
signed to the command of the Brigade, wdiich T retained until the 
28th of July, when I was relieved by Colonel Miles. Little of si>ecial 
interest occurred botAveen the 19th and 28th, except our marches 
Monday, 20th, from Wood Grove to Bloomfield ; Tuesday, 21st. 
which is emphasized in my diary as rest; Wednesday, 22d, Bloom- 
field to Ashby's Gap, via TTppeiwille ; Thursday, 28(1, mnrcliimr at 
5:00 A. M., Ashby's Gap to Manassas Gap, in which we liad (|\iite a 
littlo skirmish; Friday, 24th, Manassas (Jap to Markham Station; 
Saturday, 25th, Markham Station to AVhite Plains; Sunday, 26th, 
White Plains to Warventon Juiu'tioii, w]h'1'(> we encamped for several 
days. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 95 

On the 2 8 til of July I wrote: 

"We are said to be near Warrenton Junction. Beyond that 1 
know nothing. I have had connnand of the Brigade ever since I 
came back and today Colonel Miles, who ranks me by a few days, 
returned and I was glad to get to my Regiment. I immediately or- 
dered an inspection and now the boys are rubbing and scrubbing and 
polishing at a great rate. They seem to have some recollection of our 
old inspections and are making an effort to look as respectable as 
]x)ssible under the circumstances. Poor fellows! They have had a 
hard time of it. My health has been good as usual since T returned 
but I have not felt as cheerful as is customary until I today got back 
to the Regiment and mingled among the old familiar faces. Alas ! 
How many are wanting to complete the picture." 

Among those whom I specially missed were Lieut. William H. 
Bible and Lieut. Frank Stevenson of C Company, both killed at the 
battle of Chancellorsville; C'a.pt. Andrew Musser and Lieut. Israel 
F. Musser, l3oth of D Company, who had died at the Potomac Creek 
Hospital, the former May 14, 1863, and the latter May 26, 1863, 
shortly after his pTOmotion ; Capt. Rol>ert M. Forster, of C Company, 
killed at Gettysburg, and Lieut. John A. Bayard, of H Company^ 
who died from wounds received there. Other officers, who had re- 
signed or been discharged for disability, were Lieut. George Hamil- 
ton, E Company, Ist of June, 1863 ; Lieut. E. J. Burkert, A Com- 
pany, 26th of Jime, 1863, and Assistant Surgeon C. P. W. Fisher, 
13th of June, 1863. Many of our most reliable and promising non- 
commissioned officers were likewise missing. T recall especially First 
Sergt. C. C. Herman and Sergt. A. Green Carter of C Company, both 
killed at Chancellorsville. Hermian was especially promising and 1 
had niiarked him for promotion for one of the first vacancies in his 
company. Sergt. Samuel Harshberger, of D Company, was also killed 
at Chancellorsville. The serious losses at both Chancellorsville and 
Gettysburg and tlie fatiguing campaign through which the Army 
had passed seemed to me to very seriously affect, for the time, the 
spirit and elan of ithe Regiment. 

Captain Forster's death made a profound impression n])on me, 
not only because he was a most reliable officer and valued friend, but, 
in March prior to our Chancellorsville campaign, he had been serious- 
ly impressed with the premonition of being killed in the first battle 



96 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

in whicli he engaged. He came to me to write liis will. I endeavored 
to make light of the premonition but prepared his will for him, as he 
requested, and he then went about his duty as usual. He was very 
seriously indisposed at the battle of Chancellorsville but I think re- 
mained with the wagon train, unwilling to go to the Hospital. Gettys- 
burg was, therefore, his first fight and there he met his fate, as de- 
tailed by Osman in a portion of C Company's story. The loss of the 
Regiment at Gettysburg had been very considerable. It fought under 
discouraging circumstances by no means calculated to prnmote effi- 
ciency, but the men were loyal to their temporary commander, not- 
withstanding the injustice done their own commanding officer (see 
Major Forster's Story of Gettysburg) and in a later letter I wrote: 

"I hear the most flattering accounts of the behavior of our Regi- 
ment on all sides and begin to think that it is a little more than a 
common one." 

One of these, most enthusiastic in its praise, was Col. H. Boyc^ 
Mclveen, of the 81st Pennsylvania, a most gallant officer who com- 
manded the Regiment in the first day of its fighting at Gettysburg. 

I find, in a letter of July 28th, an allusion to a detail for bring- 
ing drafted men to the Regiment, and here it may be well to remark 
that we were extremely fortunate in having our Regiment filled above 
the minimum whenever we became depleted by the ravages of battlo 
and disease. Recruits were sent us by our recruiting details and the 
drafted men assigned to us filled our ranks on several occasions so 
that, until the last campaign, we had comparatively full ranks. 

On the 31st of July, I wrote: 

"We are on the direct road to Fredericksburg, or rather Fal- 
mouth. The general impression, however, among officers with whom 
J have conversed is that we will assume the defensive along the lino 
of the Rappahannock and hold it until a re-organization of the Army 
is effected and our thinned ranks are filled up by the conscription. 
There is one regiment in our Brigade which has only thirty men fit 
for duty and out of almost a thousand, with Avhich we started in not 
a year ago, we have but three hundred and ten here with us for active 
duty. The balance have either died, been killed or discharged or are 
in the hospital or detailed on extra duty as teamsters, etc. We still 
bear about seven hundred and fiftv on our rolls. Colonel McFarlane 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 97 

is sick again and will be obliged to leave the Army for the present: 
He has never fnlly recovered from the effects of his attack of fever 
and is completely prostrated by the fatignes of these rapid marches." 

One of our summer ca.mj>s, at which we dug a well of our own 
and tried to make ourselves comfortable, is impressed upon me, as I 
read what I wrote in regard to it : 

"My quarters are particularly pleasant. In front of my tent is 
an arbor covered and enclosed by branches of trees. I am writing in 
it now. I have a bed in it and Avhen there is no danger of rain, sleep 
in it. It is very pleasant to sit in in the day time, as well as for sleep- 
ing at night." 

In the same letter: 

"The Regiment is small — so painfully small that I can find little 
or nothing to do. I can't endure this idle life long. If we ffet con- 
scripts to fill us up, I will have plenty to occupy my time." 

In the next letter, however, I mentioned the fact that "T was 
officer of the day yesterday and rode, in tlie twenty hours of my tour, 
at least forty mil6s. Our picket line is some twenty miles long. It 
was warm — very warm — and, with two woolen shirts and a heavy 
dress coat buttoned up to the neck, I felt it considerably. Today, 
however, it is cool and pleasant and, not being required to move about, 
I have remained in my tent, or rather in the arbor in front of the 
tent, nearly all day." 

In the same letter : 

"General Warren, the new Major General, has just assumed 
command of our corps temporarily. He is said to be an accomplished 
officer and has been for some time on the staff of the commander of 
the Army. General Hancock's wound does not heal very rapidly and 
he may not be back for some months. We miss him very much." 

General Warren commanded our Corps for several months and 
endeared himself to all who came in contact with him, as a most con- 
siderate gentleman as well as capable officer. I became personally 
much attached to him and continued the intimacy after the War. I 
have always felt that he was most unjustly treated and think that has 
been the general feeling of all who knew his thorough training and 
absolute reliabilitv. He remained in command of the Corps until 



98 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

General Hancock returned the winter preceding tlie Wilderness 
campaign, and handled it with consummate ability in the retrograde 
movement from the Rapidan to Bull Run, which I shall speak of 
later. 

As showing the manner in which the different parts of the Army 
communicated with headquarters, a paragrajih from my letter of Aug- 
ust 18, 1863, is pertinent. I wrote: 

''Xearly the whole of our Regiment is out now, with Major 
Fairlamb, putting up a telegraph line to communicate with General 
Kilpatrick who is on our left flank with his cavalry. They left yes- 
lerday with three days' rations and will be back I hope tomorrow. 
Our liiu' is smiie fifteen miles long and our corps headquarters is con- 
nected with army headquarters by a line of telegraph. In fact, we 
are in telegraphic communication with the K^orth. I telegi'aphed to 
a gentleman in Washington the other day from our corps head- 
quarters.'' 

The first military execution which I recall occurred while we 
were in camp near Morrisville. I wrote, on the 24th of August: 

'^We had a military execution in the Second Division of our 
Corps on Friday last. 1 did not go to see it and, even at this distance^ 
from it, I shuddered when I heard the discharge of musketry which 
hurried a fellow-being into eternity. He was shot for desertion, his 
eyes bandaged and sitting on his coffin. I felt more over the death 
of this poor fellow than if ten thousand had been slain in battle, and 
yet his punishment was just and, at this time when conscripts are 
arriving so rapidly and making all sorts of efforts to desert, it seemed 
necessary to make an example. T hope it will be the warning which 
the poor fellow wanted it to be." 

Monday, August 31st, T Avas ordered to the command of the 
Fourth Brigade, during Colonel Brooke's absence on sick leave, and 
remained in command of it until he returned, on the 20th of Sep- 
tember. The Colonel was undoubtedly worn out with the exhaustive 
duties of the campaigns of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, in which 
he played a conspicuous and gallant part, bnt he was also suffering 
from another malady whir-h T sup]X)se influenced him somewhat in 
seeking a leave of absence and which found its appropriate culmina- 
tion in December of the same year, when 1 acted as his groomsman in 
Philadelphia. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 99 

While in coniiiiand of the Fourth Brigade, our entire Division 
broke camp near Morrisville on tlie 12th of September, marching to 
Rappahannock Station by way of Bealton, and on Sunday, the 13th, 
crossed the Rappahannock and marched to Culpeper Court House, 
the cavalry in the advance capturing a number of guns and several 
hundred prisoners. On Tuesday, the 15 th, we occupied a position on 
the Madison Court House road ten miles southwest of ('ul^jeper. 
On Thursday, the 17th, marched in tlie early morning, reaching the 
Rapidan, having marched around Cedar Mountain. There was a 
reconnaissance in force, the position in front being held by our Corps 
until the 5th of October, when we were relieved by the Sixth. 

On the 23d of September, a rearrangement of the brigades of 
the First Division was made, which sent us to the Third Brigade, 
then commanded by Col. Paul Frank of the 52d New York Regiment. 
Although the assignment to the Third Brigade — arising from condi- 
tions which need not be discussed here — was not asked for by me, the 
new relation thereby created was pleasing to our men, inasmuch as it 
relieved to some extent the friction which had been created during 
the Gettysburg campaign and from which they were slow to recover. 
On the same day we were paid by Major Freeman, for the months of 
July and August. 

On the morning of the lOtli of October, I left camp in accord- 
ance with an order detailing me to sit upon a general court martial 
at the artillery reserve. Our court organized and adjourned and, on 
returning to our camp, I found the Brigade moving. General Warren 
being absent. General Caldwell temporarily commanded the Corps, 
Colonel Frank the Division and I was, therefore, left in command 
of the Brigade. We were awakened Sunday morning about half past 
twelve o'clock, took breakfast at 1 :00 a. >r. and moved at 2 :30 a. :m. 
We kept west of Culpeper, reached the Rappahannock about ten 
o'clock and crossed about twelve, reaching Bealton Station at three 
and bivouacked for the night. On Monday, the 12th, orders came sud- 
denly, we recrossed the Rappahannock and formed a line of battle, 
advancing in line for several miles on the great plain south of the 
river. It was one of the most magnificent military pageants I have 
ever seen. It was a challenge to the Army of Northern Virginia to 



100 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

nu^et us on that field — a challenge which they peremptorily declined, 
having already turned our right flank and moving evidently to inter- 
pose between our Army and Washington. As soon as this became 
evident, our Army marched rapidly for the rear. We commenced 
this movement about 11 :00 p. u., October 12th. On the evening of 
the 13th we bivouacked on Kettle Run. General Warren had returned 
in the meantime and I was that night detailed as field officer of the 
day for the Division. Our picket line was posted advantageously on 
a hill to our left as we marched northward and in the morning, after 
the troops had gone, I met General Warren in the road and was 
asked by him to hold the crest of the hill until our wagon trains had 
passed. In fact he was quite insistent and said we must hold it if 
we lost every man. Hearing some firing on the line, I rode to the 
front, and being able to see nothing, I scolded the pickets for firing 
and rode out in front of them to show them there was nobody there. 
I soon discovered my mistake, however, and, with the bullets 
whistling around me, I made to the rear on old Frank at his liveliest 
pace. I there met Col. John P. Taylor, of the 1st Pennsylvania Cav- 
alry, in command of the skirmish line of Gregg's Division who joined 
us on our left. As I rode along our line, encouraging the men, on(^ 
of them pointed out to me a number of men advancing along a stone 
fence some distance to our right. I soon discovered that they were 
the enemj' and inferred that they were seeking to secure the crossing 
of Kettle Run, by which our troops and wagons had passed and were 
passing. I had already given the order to assemble on the right which 
would have brought us near the crossing. Discovering this movement 
on the part of the enemy, however, I countermanded the order and 
sent it along the lino by a young Lieutenant of the 116th Regiment. 
Instead of assembling on the right, we assembled on the left and, 
crossing the run a half mile or more below the ford, we escaped the 
trap laid for us, escaped the shelling at Auburn Mills (otherwise called 
Coffee Hill, by our men) and joined the rear of our Corps in good 
shape. Lieutenant Sacriste, the young officer who aided me in this 
movement, was afterwards awarded a medal of honor for his services 
and, in endorsing my statement of the matter written in after 
years, General Warren said : 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 101 

''Newpokt, R. I., October 8, 1881. 
"Colonel Beaver's statements of events are in accordance with my 
recollections, which are very fresh. I witnessed the withdrawal of his 
pickets, after covering the crossings of both trains and the cavalry 
(which had ,also defended the crossing with much gallantry), hard 
pressed by an overwhelming force of the enemy, which had been held 
in check by the First Division pickets of the Second Ai-rny Corps, 
until we had completed the dispositions of a new line of battle, 
which the enemy dared not attack. It was one of the finest instances 
of effective picket and skirmish work I have ever witnessed, and I 
should accord you all the credit that General (then Colonel) Beaver 
accords. 

"Very respectfully, 

"G. K. Wakren." 

Our Corps in this movement was the rear guard of the Army 
and our Division the rear of the Corps. We were, therefore, too 
late for the splendid little affair at Bristoe Station in which Gen. 
Alex. Hayes, with the Second Division, made such a gallant charge, 
capturing guns, flags and prisoners. As we were moving, however, 
in the direction of the sound of his guns, a line of battle, with flags 
flying and officers mounted, came out of the woods on our left. I 
took it for granted that we would go for them, just as General Hayes 
had, when he discovered the enemy on his flank. The division and 
brigade commanders being in advance of us, I moved immediately, 
by the left flank, across the railroad, expecting, of course, that we 
would attack the enemy. We had not gone far, however, till we had 
orders to return and our artillery opened on the advancing line and 
soon drove it back. The only casualty which occurred was to Sergt. 
Samuel L. Barr, of B Company, who lost his ami by something which 
dropped from one of the projectiles fired by one of our batteries in 
our rear. I was very indignant and, not stopping to consider that the 
officer was not responsible for it, I made for him in a way which \\\u 
boys told me afterwards was interesting both to see and hear. 

Our retrograde movement continued until we crossed tlie Bull 
Run, about three o'clock on the morning of the 15tli, clearly out- 
marching the Confederates and getting our Army well posted, so as 
to cover Washington and at the same time ready to assume offensive 
operations against the enemy. Skirmishing commenced about 2 :30 
p. M. of that day, but the enemy made no impression upon our lino 



102 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

which, when they discovered, their campaign was ended and tliey re 
tired, we following them slowly in due time. 

On Monday, the 19th, we began the advance, passing Bristoe 
that day. On tlie 20th, our Regiment was the advance guard of the 
Corps. We went to Gainesville, turned and marched thence ' to 
Auburn Mills. My diary says : '"'Beautiful skirmish line but met 
no enemy." On the 21st we occupied the position held by our picket 
line on tlie 14th. 

These movements brought the two Armies into about the same 
relative position which tliey had occupied before the retrograde move- 
ment. There was marching and counter-marching, numerous changes 
of canip, reconnaissances in force and the methods usually employed 
to develop the enemy's position, and it was found finally that he had 
retired and seemed to be preparing to go into winter quarters south 
of the Rapidan. The Rappahannock River, it will be remembered, 
forks a little north and west of Chancellorsville and becomes two 
branches, the Rappahannock being the northern and the Rapidan tho 
southern. 

Although moving every few days, we laid out several camps and, 
on the 23d of October, finding that the Quartcrmiaster pitched his tent 
in camp instead of with the w^agon train, "we inferred that it looked 
like a regular camp and so made arrangements for being comfort- 
able. Our stoves had been sent to Washington at the opening of the 
spring campaign and, finding that the nights became cool and not 
being able to secure stoves, we resorted to the ]>lan of a furnace, con- 
sisting of a trench in the tent underground with the flue outside, 
which enabled us to keep very comfortable. This was easily done, 
required no elaborate preparation, the furnace being covered with 
flat stones and boxes and barrels being all that were necessary for a 
flue on the outside. There was talk of going into winter quarters, of 
course, and some of the officers even went so far as to build log huts, 
having nothing but shelter tents. T did not encourage this, however, 
because I felt sure that we were not ready for wanter quarters as yet, 
but it afforded employment and gave us ideas for the erection of o\ir 
final winter quarters later. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 103 

On the 30th of October we received 115 men under the Enroll- 
ment Act and, on the 19th of November, 158 more, bringing the 
aggregate of the Regiment up to 978 — almost the maximum. This,, 
of course, gave us plenty of employment and we turned in with a 
will to train the new men, and now the results of officers' and non- 
commissioned officers' schools became apparent. Our non-commis- 
sioned officers were very efficient and, in the drilling of the new men 
and in the enforcement of discipline, displayed in a most satisfactory 
way the effects of their training. 

When I started out as Lieutenant Colonel of the 45th Regiment, 
I had bought from Mr. J. Harris Linn, of the Milesburg Iron Works, 
a fine riding horse who was called Frank. He was with me in South 
Carolina and, although seriously lamed in throwing him from the 
vessel, when we landed there, had recovered sufficiently to be ridden 
on the march and in the duties in the field ; but, in order to save him, 
I had purchased another horse before joining the 148th, called Joe. 
These two horses became quite as much a part of the Regiment as I 
was and I used to think that some of the men were quite as much 01 
more attached to Joe particularly (as I used him the most and he was 
the best kno^^^l to them) than to me. He was very intelligent and 
understood the commands of execution, ''march !" and "halt !" as well 
as any man in the Regiment. On an ill-fatted day, when our camps 
were open, a stray horse wandered into our camp and helped himself 
from the troughs of our horses. The result was that both of my 
horses and Major Fairlainb's became infected with the glanders. 
When this became apparent, in order to prevent the spread of the 
disease, we were compelled to shoot our horses and, on I^ovember Ifith, 
I find in my diary: "Had poor old Frank shot. Requiescat in pace; 
faithful to the end !" It was like the loss of a friend. 

We had crossed the Rappahannock River a short distance below 
Kelly's Ford on the 8th of Xovember, and had manoeuvered in line 
of battle in the hope of tempting the enemy to meet us but they de- 
clined, as they usually did, when battle was offered in the open field. 
On reaching the northern bank of the Rapidan, we found the Army 
of Northern Virginia strongly posted on the southern bank. There 
was now serious talk of winter quarters but this was all dissipated by 



104 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

orders to move, November 24th. We broke cam]) on the morniiiu ot 
that day, formed line in the rain but were ordered to resume our 
camp, tlie movement being suspended on account of the rain. On 
the 26th, however, we marched at 6 :30 a, m., leading the Corps ; 
crossed the Rapidan at Gerraania Ford at 2 :00 p. m. on pontoon 
bridge; marched about three miles and encamped at Flat Run. This 
was the beginning of the celebrated Mine Run campaign which lasted 
until the 2d of December. I was in command of the Brigade during 
this compaign and had the honor of commanding the Division for a 
few hours one afternoon. The campaign was short and without de- 
cisive results, but I think I express the sentiments of those who were 
in a position to know the facts that both General Meade and General 
Warren rose in the estimation of the entire Army by their failure to 
charge the enemy's entrenchments and withdrawing from their front 
more than if they had made the attack, even if it had been successful. 
They displayed the moral courage characteristic of both, which was 
willing to assume the responsibility of failure in the face of great 
popular clamor. The weather was bitterly cold and a charge on the 
30th of N^ovember, when it was contemplated, would have mean^ 
death to every man who was seriously wounded. Our Brigade on 
that day relieved the Third Brigade of the Second Division and 1 
find a memorandum that three-fourths of the entire Brigade was on 
picket. 

After our return across the Rapidan, Colonel Frank returned, 
on the 5th of December, and I was glad to get back home to the Regi- 
ment, for it was then reasonably certain that we were to go into win- 
ter quarters and I had plans for an ideal camp, as well as for thor- 
ough reorganization and the training of our recruits and drafted men. 

Colonel MoFarlane, failing to recover his health, was discharged 
on surgeon's certificate of disability November 4, 1863. Other offi- 
cers, who had resigned or had been discharged for various reasons 
during the summer and fall of 1863, were Capt. Martin Dolan, F 
Company, 7th September, 1863 ; Lieut. Tosiah B. Ferguson, K Com- 
pany, 7th September, 1863; Lieut. S. S. Wolf, A Company, 25th 
September, 1863; Capt. Chvarles Stuart, E Company, 25th 
September, 1863; Lieut. O. TT. Brown, T Company, 30th November, 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 105 

1863. Major Fairlamb was elected Lieutenant Colonel in place of 
Colonel MoFarlane, and Capt. R. H. Forster, of A Company, was 
elected Major. These promotions and the other changes referred to 
led to numerous changes in the line of the Regiment. All of the 
company officers of A, C and D had been killed, promoted or dis- 
charged and, in order to give Companies A and C officers of experi- 
ence as Captains, Lieut. John L. Johnston, of II Company, was pro- 
moted to be Captain of Company A, and Lieutenant Jacob B. Ed- 
monds of Q Company tx) be Captain of C. Other promotions to fill 
vacancies were made within the companies. When these were made 
the several companies were commanded as follows : A, Capt. John 
L. Johnston ; B, Capt. James F. Weaver ; C, Capt. Jacob B. Ed- 
monds ; D, Capt. Alfred A. Rhinehart; E., Capt. John F. Sutton- 
F, Capt. William P. Wilson ; G, Capt. James J. Patterson ; H, Capt. 
George A. Bayard ; I, Capt. Silas J. Marlin ; K, Capt. Thompson 
Core. Captain Wilson of F Company, and Captain Marlin of I 
Company were detailed for staff duty at division headquarters, the 
former as commissary of musters and the latter as acting assistant 
inspector general. Their companies were, therefore, commanded by 
the First Lieutenants of each respectively, namely, Lieut. Jacob 
Breon and Lieut. John A. MoGuire. 

It was unusual to appoint an officer from one company to a 
higher rank in another but the reasons for it are obvious in the cases 
of Lieutenant Johnston, wlio was promoted from First Lieutenant of 
H Company to Captain of A Company, and First Lieutenant Jacob 
B. Edmonds, of G Company, to Captain of C Company. The pro- 
motion from Sergeant to Captain of a company is something of a 
risk and, as A and O had lost all their officers, it was important for 
them to have immediately an experienced officer in command. The 
officers of the Regiment had all been instructed in our officers' school 
and in the school of the battalion and were, therefore, familiar witli 
all battalion movements. Non-commissioned officers, as a rule, were 
instructed through the school of the soldier, but had little instruction 
and no practice in command of companies and it was, therefore, im- 
portant to have an officer of experience and training in command of 
the company for tactical purposes, but it wns more necessary to have 



106 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

that experience for tlie benefit of the men, I once saw an officer of 
the Regular Army in hospital who was intensely anxious to join 
his company. He said : 

"T must get back to my company. A company without its Cap- 
tain is like a family without a mother." 

And this is, to a large extent, true. The Captain is responsiblo 
not only to the commander of the regiment but is also responsible to 
the men of his command. The company is the unit of organization. 
The office work is of great importance, th,e must-er and pay-rolls must 
be carefull}^ made out so that all the rights of the soldier are pre- 
served, and a Captain should have experience in military corres|X)n- 
dence as well as in the routine of making out rolls and other papers 
for the quartermiaster, commissary and ordnance departments ; but it 
was also necessary for the comfort of the men that they should have 
an officer of experience to secure foT them what was their due from 
both commissary and quartermaster departments. Tt was often found, 
on examination, that the failure of men to receive the full complement 
of rations to which they Avere entitled, was due to the carelessness of 
the Captain and, inasmuch as a Ca.ptain is superior in rank to the 
Quartermaster, his demand is usually listened to with consideration. 
Tt was important to have officers who could make such demand with 
effect and could see that their demands were niet rather than to pro- 
mote a non-commissioned officer, vnthout experience in such matters, 
to the captaincy of his company. These aiul other considerations 
of like weight led to the appointment of these officers. So far as T 
recollect, they were the only ones in which officers were not appointed 
from the non-commissioned officers, when there was a vacancy. The 
results fully justified the appointments. 

Monday, the 7th of Doconibor, we went into our winter camp 
near Stevensburg, three or four miles from Brandy Station on the 
railroad. We were again fortunate in getting near a wooded tract 
of land, and, although the clearing, ditching and draining of it in- 
volved great labor, we thereby secnred ]>lenty of good material for 
our winter quarters. Our "A" tents having been turned in to the 
quartermaster's department at the opening of the campaign, we were 
compelled to rely upon onr shelter tents for the top covering. Great 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 107 

care was observed iu laying' out the camp. The huts and officers' 
quailers were all of a uniform style and, with a ]ilentiful snpply of 
axes, we were enabled to proceed rapidly with our work. A fine 
parade ground was cleared in our front, all the company streets were 
deeply ditched, in order to drain the adjoining- ground perfectly and 
these ditches led into larger ones along the streets upon which the 
line and field and staff officers' quarters were faced. A complete sys- 
tem of unifonu board walks, made of logs split and, when neces- 
sary, dressed, was also laid, which made communication between the 
different parts of the camp easy and comfortable in all kinds of 
weather. Y'or all general purposes the pioneer corps was kept stead- 
ily at work and for the most part the several companies erected their 
own quarters. Having a Avall tent, I had a chimney built upon the 
outside of it and lived very comfortably while the camp was being 
built. After everything was finished, the pioneer corps determined 
to build me a house that was unsurpassed anywhere in the Army. 
They hewed logs, matched them thoroughly, dressed the corners, built 
a fine fire place and, having found some old yellow pine boards and 
a plane, added a mantel, which for beauty in the grain of the wood T 
have never seen excelled anywhere. The crevices were daubed with 
mud and the inside papered with newspapers, vnih. a border of official 
yellow wrapping paper. The effect of it was extremely pleasing. The 
interior had a good board floor and, with two bright pieces of brussels 
carpet, one in front of my cot and the other in front of the fire place, 
it was as cozy a dwelling as could be found anywhere, and in it T 
think I had as much enjoyment as in anytliing more elaborate which 
I have occupied since. In addition to our quarters, the hospital 
was put in good order, the tents being used and well floored and a. 
commodious chapel erected, the roof of the latter being c(im]xtsed of 
a huge tarpaulin contributed by the Christian Commission. After 
all was finished, there was no finer camp in the Anny and we settled 
down to good, hard, honest work in preparation for the campaign of 
the next year. 

In December, while the work of erecting the camp was in opera- 
tion, I applied for tlie only leave of absence I e\'er had, except on 
account of wounds. That, as already intimated, was at the request 



108 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

of my friend. Colonel Brooke, who desirerl me to act as his groom.s- 
man at his marriage in Philadelphia. Leaves at that time for ordi- 
nary purposes were for ten days, with permission to apply to the War 
Department for ten days additional. Special Orders No. 288, 
headquarters Second Army Corps, December 22, 1863, contained this 
paragraph : 

"1. Under the provisions of Special Orders No. 315, headquar- 
ters Army of the Potomac of December 10th, leave of absence for the 
time hereinafter stated is hereby granted each of the following 
named officers : Col. James A. Beaver, 148th Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers for ten days, with permission to apply to the War Department 
for an extension of ten days." 

Before leaving camp, I had decided not to apply to the War De- 
partment for an extension, intending to see Colonel Brooke married 
and return at once. Upon reaching Washington, however, I met 
Judge Hale, who made inquiry as to my leave, and I told him the 
facts in regard to it. He immediately said, '^You must have those 
other ten days," and insisted upon my going with him to army head- 
quarters. I declined to do so, however, but went with him in a car- 
riage to the office of General Halleck, who was then the Commander- 
in-Chief. The Judge was gone but a few minutes, when he came 
back much excited, saying: 

"We might as well have a wooden uuin at the head of the Army." 

T know nothing of what passed in General Halleck's office, hav- 
ing remained in the carriage. He refused to give up the quest, how- 
ever, and we went together to the War Department. He seemed to 
have the entree there and pushed by tlie orderlies and went directly 
to the office of the Secretary of War. He began at once, "Mr. Sec- 
retary, here's Colonel Beaver; never had a leave of absence; only 
allowed ten days; he ought to have ten more; he deserves it," and 
other words to that effect, until the Secretary just stopped and gazed 
at him. Hale, nothing daunted, continued his fusilade, until the 
Secretary took my order from corps headquarters which Hale had in, 
his hand, wrote "Leave extended ten days. Edwin M. Stanton, Sec- 
retary of War, December 23, 1863." He handed it to the Judge and 
said in a sarcastic tone : 

"Is that all, Mr. Hale?" 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 109 

''Yes," said Hale, laughing, "that is all I want jnst now." 
The leave was later extended in an official fonn by Special 
Orders Xo. 568 of the War Department, dated December 23, 1863, 
signed "E. D. Townsend, Assistant Adjutant General," and marked 
"Official: E. Williams, Assistant Adjutant General." These auto- 
graphs are all preserved as interesting souvenirs of the period. 

After seeing Colonel Brooke married in the Church of the 
Holy Trinity, Philadelphia, and attending the social functions con- 
nected with the wedding, I made a little visit to my mother and to 
friends in Bellefonte and elsewhere and find, in my diary for 1864: 

"Tuesday, January 12th. Left Washington 9:45 a. m., arrived 
at Brandy Station 3 :30 r. m. ; rode home." 

The camp of the 148th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
although my dwelline: was a wall tent, was then more of home to me 
than any other place in the world. 

I moved into my ncAV house the 5th of February, the last house 
in the camp to be occupied. We received marching orders at 4 :00 
A. M., and marched at 9 :00 a. m. to Newton's Ford. I commanded 
the Division until evening. We were not engaged, although the 
Third Division crossed the river and re-crossed the same night, los- 
ing some one hundred and fifty men. This was probably a recon- 
naissance to ascertain whether or not the enemy were in force in our 
front or jDcrhaps to prer\'ent reHenforcements from being sent to their 
western Army. We returned to camp the next day, i-e-occupying our 
quarters. 

Recruiting details were sent out at different times and returned 
with more or less recruits and our ranks were kept quite full. The 
period of rigid inspections came again, in order to train our new re- 
cruits and, although many of them were of excellent quality, there 
was more difficulty in bringing them under strict discipline than 
there had been, Avhen we started out with our Regiment, notwith- 
standing the increased help which resulted from the experience and 
training of our officers and non-commissioned officers. We had sonn. 
incorrigible cases — some fellows who could not be kept clean, some 
who couldn't learn the step and some who were determined to be 
ugly. The inspection at guard mounting every morning wa,s very 



1 10 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

thorough and the dress parades were more elaborate than ever before. 
The colors were escorted to the line with great parade and everything 
was done to impress men with their significance. Notwithstanding 
all, however, some men came under military discipline slowly and 
apparently reluctantly. I recall one instance when I resorted to 
extreme measures with a fellow who was specially slouohy and dirty. 
He had appeared on several occasions at guard mounting in a very 
disagreeable condition so far as cleanliness was concerned. After 
this had happened two or three times and the Adjutant had men- 
tioned it to me, I had the guard detail marched in front of my quar- 
ters. They halted, were brought by the officer in charge to a rest, 
when 1 gave them an informal inspection. I had this man taken 
from the ranks, had my servant bring out a basin of water and de- 
tailed two of his companions to scrub him. This they did with soap 
and towel in a way that was amusing to the by-standers who had 
gathered by this time and botb disconcerting and uncomfortable to 
the washee. The ceremony was kept up until he was thoroughly 
cleaned, at least so far as his face, ears, neck and hands were con- 
cerned. J let it be known that every man who appeared on guard 
thereafter in such jcondition would be treated in a similar way. I do 
not recall a single other instance in which that fonn of discipline 
was necessary. 

Our field music was re-organized and spent much time in prac- 
tice. They became very proficient and, being dissatisfied with the 
regular army drums, we had a full outfit of smaller metal drums 
secured for them by private subscription and the result was a pride 
in the music and a variety in it such, as I never heaird. in a drum 
corps before or since. The different parts were played by the fifes 
and many of the pieces, such as "Gentle Annie," "Faded Flowers," 
etc., were rendered most artistically. Indeed the concerts at retreat 
and tattoo were often attended by the men of other regiments for a 
considerable distance around us. T hope we may have in the "Story 
of the Drum Corps" a detailed account of their work in this camp. 

Besides the setting up drill for the new men T resorted to the 
bayonet exercise at dress parade every evening, when the weather was 
favorable. Bv increasing the distance between the front and rear 



THE 1 48TH PENNSYLVANIA I'OLUNTEERS 111 

ranks and having the odd men step four paces to the front, there waa 
abundant room for this exercise. The practical benefit of the bayonet 
exercise has often been doubted, for the reason that there are few 
occasions when the bayonet can be used. The chief advantage, how- 
ever, which suggested itself to me was that it familiarized the men 
with the use of their weapon and was one of the most splendid g;)'m- 
nastic exercises then available. The guard, the parry, the thrust, 
the advance and the retreatcombined to bring into play all the muscles 
of the entire body. The good effects were plainly apparent in the 
carriage of the men, in their physical development and in the easp 
and confidence with which they handled their pieces. 

Our chapel was used for officers' school and also for a general 
school of non-commissioned officers which I conducted several times 
a week. In the latter I was very much interested, carrying the non- 
commissioned officers not only through the school of the soldier and 
the company but through the skirmish drill and endeavoring to fa- 
miliarize them especially with the bugle calls. With work of this 
kind, covering the entire routine of soldierly duty, equipping our 
men with clothing, arms, accoutrements, etc., for the ensuing cam- 
paign, paying some attention to the social duties which devolved upon 
us, by reason of numerous visitors in our camp, and furnishing our 
share of the details for picket and fatigue duty, the winter wore 
away pleasantly and, on the whole, profitably. As showing the va- 
riety of duties which devolved upon us, I may mention the fact that, 
as corps officer of the day, I had at one time six hundred men under 
iiiy command building a corduroy road from Brandy Station to our 
camps. This was a very considerable undertaking and was not fin- 
ished in one day. I surprised them very much at corps headquarters, 
when T rode up in the evening to report, by making a request to be 
detailed for the following day, in order that T might finish the job, 
but I had become very much interested in the road and had acqiiired 
considerable practical knowledge during the day and thought I could 
more easily complete it than a new officer. I have been interested 
in the subject of "good roads" ever since. 

In the early part of the autumn, before we made our retrograde 
movement, a very pronounced religious interest was manifested in 



112 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

our Regiment. I did not know, until the War was over, that we had 
been denominated ''The Praying Regiment." But it is a fact that 
in nearly every company there was at least a squad of men who main- 
tained regular devotional meetings in their quarters weekly or 
oftener. Our Chaplain, as is made apparent from the "Chaplain's 
Story," so graphically Avritten by his son, was extremely faithful in 
his religious ministrations. It was not confined to our Sunday morn- 
ing service and to a prayer service at dress parade on Sunday evening, 
but was of a pastoral character, the Chaplain conferring with the 
men in each company who were disposed to lead a pronounced and 
active religious life. This interest continued and culminated dur- 
ing the winter. Our chapel was used constantly and a deep religious 
interest developed, which resulted in great good to many of our men. 
Looking back upon tiie whole term of our service, I cannot recall 
a time when we more nearly approached my ideal of what a volunteer 
regiment ought to be than during the period in which we were 
camped near Stevensburg in the winter of 1863-1864. Witli full 
ranks, with officers and non-commissioned officers not only faithful 
but enthusiastic in the discharge of duty, with many of our men 
thoroughly trained and hardened by their previous campaign and 
anxious to instruct others, the days passed pleasantly and profitably, 
and the Regiment was instructed and disciplined in such a way as to 
make our work thoroughly apparent, when the spring reviews which 
preceded our active campaign, were held. These reviews were un- 
usually elaborate and formal, inasmuch as we were all anxious to 
show General Grant, who had come into the Army as the Commander- 
in-Chief, what kind of soldiers made up the Army of the Potomac. 
Gen. Francis A. Walker, in his admirable "History of the Second 
Corps," referring to the review of our Corps, said: 

"The appearance and bearing of the troops was brilliant in the 
extreme but among all the gallant regiments which passed the re- 
viewing officer two excited especial admiration — the 148th Penn- 
sylvania, Colonel Beaver, from the old Second, and the 40th New 
York, Colonel Egan, from the former Third Corps." 

Before the opening of the campaign, my friend, Colonel Brooke, 
to whom T have made frequent allusions, applied for the transfer of 



THE 1 48TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS US 

our Regiment to the Fourth Brigade and, on the 26th of March, the 
order making the transfer was received. This brought us into rela- 
tions with the 5od and 145th Pennsylvania Regiments, and with the 
64th and 66th Xew York Regiments, and the 2d Delaware Regiment. 
We were also joined, after tlie campaign oj^ened, by the 7th Heavy 
New York Artillery. The change did not involve, however, at any 
time any change in our camp. We continued to occupy our winter 
quarters, until the campaign practically began. 

En addition to reviews and inspections and to our regimental 
drills, which were frequent, we had, after our assignment to the 
Fourth Brigade, brigade drills and, on one or two occasions, division 
drills. I also exercised the entire Regiment in skirmish drill and 
occasionally, by special permission, we were allowed to indulge in 
target practice. This absolutely necessary part of a soldier's train- 
ing was not as general as it should have been, for the reason that the 
firing was likely to be misunderstood in other parts of the Army 
where it was not knownj that target practice was going on. By hav- 
ing an intimation given from corps headquarters, however, that tar- 
get practice would be allowed between certain hours, it was not diffi- 
cult to avoid unfounded alarm. Even with the knowledge that target 
practice was being indulged in, it was diflncult, when a volley was 
heard, to avoid calling for a horse and yelling to the Adjutant to 
form the Regiment, these being tlie essential things when any trouble 
was anticipated. 

Xever had the Army enjoyed the social features allowed us dur- 
ing this winter. At division headquarters a music and lecture hall 
had been erected, in which frequent dances, lectures and other social 
functions were enjoyed, many ladies visited tbeir friends and a gen- 
eral social good time was had for several months. Mrs. Governor 
Curtin, with a party of young ladies from Harrisburg, visited our 
division headquarters and were, of course, tlie recipients of all the 
social attentions which we could bestow. Our headquarter mess had 
a very nice dining room, in addition to our other quarters, and we 
invited them for dinner. The general details of the dinner I cannot 
recall but I remember distinctly the dessert. I intended to have a 
bread crumb pudding with hard sauce. I knew, in a general way, that 



114 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

the sauce was made up of butter, sugar and brandy. We had nn 
brandy but the Doctor kindly furnished me some whiskey and I 
undertook to prepare the sauce myself. Endeavoring to mix the 
whiskey and butter, I soon found that that wouldn't work, but T suc- 
ceeded finally in making something of a mess which was used and 
pronounced all right. If the butter and sugar had been mixed to- 
gether first, I suppose the homogeneity of the mass would have been 
much more easily secured. At all events, we had a jolly time and 
my own cabin, which was turned over to the ladies for a dressing 
room, was pronounced the finest thing they had seen. We had nu- 
merous little dinner parties of gentlemen and ladies and of friends 
from other parts of the Army at many times, but never during the 
whole winter had we such a commotion in camp as when we enter- 
tained Mrs. Curtin and her ITarrisburg party. The recollections 
of that winter grow upon me but it would be foreign to my purpose 
and to the design of our History were T to enter into further detail. 
T speak of them to show that our military service did not consist en- 
tirely of being shot at or trying to shoot the other man. It had many 
compensations, not the least of which, still remaining, was the con- 
sciousness of the great privilege of helping in some measure to pre- 
serve for the nation and the world the fact of free, constitutional 
government. 

On the 22d of April we were reviewed by General Orant. The 
next day I wrote Doctor Davis, our Surgeon, of the prospect of an 
early movement, preliminary orders, indeed, being that day received, 
and, on Sunday, the 24th, I noted: "Used the chapel for the last 
time." On the 30th of April we were mustered by Lieutenant Col- 
onel Striker, of the 2d Delaware, a most gallant officer, who was killed 
at Spotsylvania within two Aveeks, and u]>on the same day, Lieut. J. 
G. Kurtz, our Quartermaster, was discharged on account of physical 
disability. Quartermaster Sergeant S. D. Musser was immediately 
promoted to take his place. 

On Monday, the 2d of May, we demolished our winter quarters 
and put np onr sholtor tents on the same ground. When this was 
done, with three days' full rations in our haversacks, six days' small 
rations in knapsacks and fifty rounds of ammunition we were readv 
for final orders for the initial march of the summer's canipaign. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVJNIJ JOLUNTEERS 115 

THE COLONEL'S STORY. 

By Gen. James A. Beaver. 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE CAMPAIGN OF 1864. 

Our final marcliing orders came on the 3d of May, containing 
directions to march after dark that night. O'nr camps were in plain 
sight of the enemy's signal station and, as a consequence, we could 
not remove our tents during the day time, without giving them notice 
of the movement. The last entry in ink in my diary was Monday, the 
2d of May. Those which follow, beginning the 3d of May and dur- 
ing the entire campaign, were in lead |>encil. My notes are some- 
what full and the incidents which affected our Regiment are set forth 
as fully therein as I could possibly make them and it may perhaps be 
well to confine myself largely to these notes, with some explanations 
and side remarks where they will help to explain or clarify. 

May 3d, after alluding to our marching orders, I wrote: 

"Struck tents at 7 :30 p. m. and moved to camp of the Fourth 
Brigade. Remained until 12 :00 m. ; marched with the Division, 
our Brigade leading; marched all night; rode to Germania Ford m 
the morning with Captain Wilson of the division staff." 

Wednesday, May 4th: 

"Marching when the day commenced ; sunrise found us near Ely's 
Ford on the Rapidan with Gregg's Division of cavalry in our front; 
crossed tbe Rapidan on a bridge of canvas boats ; marched rapidly 
and reached Chancellorsville about 10 :00 a. m. All the localities are 
exceedingly familiar and the evidences of the terrific strife of a year 
ago are many and painful. Took up a position in front of the Chan- 
cellor House and in front of our entrenched position of last year. 
Pitched tents ; detail of 200 pickets from the Regiment." 

Thursday, May 5th : 

"Ordered to march at 6 :00 a. m. ; did not start till after 10 :00 
being rear guard of the Corps. Marched to Walford's Furnace and 
turned to the left, reaching a position some three miles from it about 
3 :00 p. M. At Rose Mountain. Threw up some works, using a plow 
and board paddles. Arnold's Battery on our right. Moved to the 
right on the Brook Road and advanced through the woods about half 
a mile, forming in echelon with the left of the First Brigade. Firing 
on our riffht terrific, which continued until after dark. Marched 



116 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

out of the woods and took a position on the road which was entrenched 
during the night. B, D and G on picket in front of our first position.'' 

Our Brigade being the rear guard and our Begiment the rear of 
tlie Brigade, we were much delayed in our march bv driving the 
stragglers. This enabled us, however, to keep a column well closed 
up and, when we took our final position, the Begiment was in fine 
shape. In order to show tliis to the men themselves, I gave caution- 
ary commands as we approached our position and, when we halted, I 
gave the commands "Halt I Front! Bight Dress ! Front I Order arms I 
Stack arms! Unsling knapsacks! Best!" just as if we had been on 
parade. Everything was done promptly and with gi-eat spirit. When 
ranks were broken. I rode up to a group of officers who seemed to 
have been interested in our movements and among them was General 
Gibbon, who was then commanding the left wing of our Corps which 
at that time consisted of four divisions, two of them having l)een 
organized out of our old Second Corps and two out of the Third 
Corps which was made a part of the Second. As I rode up and sa- 
luted General Gibbon, he said : 

"Colonel, T had rather command that Begiment of yours than 
command this Corps." It semed to me at the time to be quite a com- 
pliment, but the more I thought about it the more it seemed to me to 
be verv natural. The command of a Begiment brings the commander 
in touch with his men. He knows to what extent he can rely upon 
them, he feels sure of his foundations and supports. If his raiment 
has been trained as it should be, t<here is little danger of panic or any- 
thing which will bring disgrace upon him. When you get further 
away from the regiment, however, although responsible for the con- 
duct of everybody under your command, you know less of what you 
can depend upon. This feeling of General Gibbon grew upon me 
more and more during the campaign and explains, to some degree at 
least, the indisposition which I had to take command of another and 
a strange brigade when subsequently it twice was offered me. 

Friday May 6th : 

"Companies B, I) and (J were relieved and joined us about S :00 
A. M. Firing commenced about 4 :4r) a. m., which soon became very 
warm on the skirmish line. Our Beffiment was formed in the rear 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 117 

of tJie line of rifle pits as a reserve; remained until 10:00 a. m. and 
moved to meet an expected attack on our left flank ; threw up a slight 
work of rails and logs and remained quiet until 2 :00 p. m., when 
we removed to our old position of the morning. The Regiment occu- 
pied both sides of Gillis' Battery in expectation of an attack from 
our front. Our skirmish line drove the enemy back, however. K 
Company on the skirmish line. The general result of the engage- 
ment, at 5 :00 p. m., is not very favorable, although not distinctly 
unfavorable. Remained in the rifle pits all evening ; an attack on our 
right drove the Fourth Division out of their works ; a portion of our 
Brigade drove the enemy back ; night closed in with prospects of 
sleep." 

It will be seen from these memoranda thait our Regiment was not 
actively engaged in the battle of the Wilderness. Being the last regi- 
ment in column on the march, we were on the left of the line, when 
the line of battle was formed. The enemy's line evidently ran out 
before reaching our Regiment. We were, therefore, held in reserve 
and moved from place to place to guard the left flank. I was con- 
vinced that an attack b}^ our Regiment on the right flank of the 
enemy would be disastrous to them, and made a little personal reeon- 
naissance with a view of ascertaining how it could be done. It seemed 
to me that the advantages were all in our favor in making the effort, 
but I failed to get permission to try it and we were, therefore, used 
simply for the purpose of guarding against or repelling a movement 
against our left. There was evidently some well grounded expecta- 
tion of an attack on our flank, for during the day T came in contact 
with Colonel Richard Coulter who, with the 11th Pennsylvania, 
joined us and formed line with us as we marched out a short distance 
and prepared for repelling an attack from that direction which did 
not come. Coulter and T had an opportunity to recall our three 
months' service and to compare notes as to the fortunes of the day. 
We bst but a single man in the battle of the Wilderness. 

Saturday, May 7th, I record : 

"Good night's sleep; day commenced at 4:00 a. m. ; remained 
in the rifle pits all day ; spent most of the day very pleasantly at 
General Gibbon's headquarters (in order to get early information 
of any movement which might be ordered). Marching orders came 
at dark. I was appointed, by orders from corps headquarters, corps 
officer of the day, with directions to report to General Hancock in per- 
son for detailed instructions, and did so at 8 :00 p. m." 



118 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Prior to this, however, Colonel Egan, 40th ISTew York, from the 
Third Division, Lieutenant Colonel Strj^ker, 2d Delaware, of the 
First Division, Lieutenant C(ili)nel Schoonover, 11th iS^ew Jersey, of 
ihe Fourth Division, and Major Welch, 19th Maine, of the Second 
Division, reported to me as division officers of the day. I directed 
them to take command of the pickets from the several divisions and 
rode to corps headquarters. On arriving there, I found a great gather- 
ing of officers, dismounted, and among them, General Grant, the Com- 
mander-in-Chief of all our Armies, sitting alone at the root of a tree 
whittling a stick. I dismounted and sought General Hancock and 
was informed by him of the general movement of the Army ; that 
the corps on our extreme right would withdraw, marching in roar 
of the others, followed by its pickets; that the next corps would, in 
like manner, folloAv when it had passed, and so on, until the left was 
reached, and that our Corps would then follow and 1 would be left 
with the picket line of the Corps to hold any demonstration which 
might be made from tbe front, until the Army had gotten well on its 
way toward our new position. In the midst of these directions, we 
heard a great volley in our front, with somewhat continuous firing. 
T sprang to my horse and was riding off. General Hancock's staff were 
calling for horses, when I was suddenly stopped by General Grant, 
who said : 

"Hold on, Hancock ; that firing is all on one side." 

This arrested my attention, I waited for a minute and, finding 
tJiat the fire slackened appreciably, returned to receive my final in- 
structions. 

The o]>eration of withdrawing in this manner was, of course, a 
very delicate one, but was executed in such a way that the enemy 
evidently did not discover it dnring the night. General directions 
were given by me to the division officers of the day to give special 
attention to their picket line and to see that every one was vigilant 
and wide-awake. Sunday morning came and found the movement 
unfinished. 

T made this entry Sunday, May 8th : 

"Slept none during the night. Colonel Sleejier, 11th New Jersey ; 
Captain Allen, 11th Massachusetts, bronght in their pickets without 



t 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 119 

orders. Considerable oonfiision resulted. They were, however, re- 
turned to the line. Did not commence to withdraw our pickets until 
10 :00 A. -M. instead of 2 :00 a. m., as at tirst ordered' — the other Corps 
not having niarclied at the time appointed and ours not havino- with- 
drawn in time to enable us to complete the movement during the 
night." 

It occurred to me, seeing (^:>lonel Egan and noting his 
appearance and age, to inquire as to his rank. 1 found that 
he ranked me ; told him I could not turn the oommaiid over to 
him, because I had been specially entrusted with the movement by 
General Hancock, but that, if he had any feeling in regard to serving 
under a junior, I would excuse him and that he could join his ootti- 
mand. I was, of course, pleased with his prompt and soldierly reply : 

"'This is no time to quibble about rank; I will be glad to serve 
under you and do all we can to withdraw our pickets in good shape." 

We had scarcely assembled our pickets and were ready to march 
off, when a line of skirmisihers appeared, coming over the breast- 
works of the enemy. Desiring to show my confidence in Egan, 1 
asked him to deploy the pickets of one division as skirmishers and 
drive the enemy back, whilst I held the other pickets in reserve. He 
did this in fine style and we withdrew, marching rapidly toward 
Todd's Tavern which we reached without the loss of a man. General 
Hancock had sent an anxious inquiry during the day and, when T 
reported to him personally in the evening, with my little column in- 
tact, he thaidvcd me very warmly, I found our Regiment a little 
to the right of Todd's Tavern but we were in the second line and 
were, therefore, relieved, as I supposed, from the duty of throwing up 
any entrenchments. This, however, did not last long as I found. 

Monday, May 9th: 

"Sent a fatigue drill of 250 men at 11 :00 p. m. to build works 
for the artillery brigade, which worked all night." 

Continuing, my pocket diary says: 

"An order from army headquarters says : 'The Army will re- 
main quiet.' We moved, however, about. 12 :00 m., notwithstanding, in 
the direction of Spotsylvania Court House, marching about eight 
miles, and threw up a line of handsome rifle pits. We had just fin- 
ished them when we were ordered to cross the Po River and advance 



120 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

upon the enemy, who were in position at Wright's Shop. Our Regi- 
ment crossed alone and advanced, our skirmishers under a heavy 
shelling ; found the enemy's fore© to consist of cavalry and horse ar- 
tillery ; drove the whole party at a charge of the skirmish line and, 
took the cross roads with the loss of one officer and eighteen men 
wounded. Byers, of B, died of his wounds. The whole Corps crossed 
the river subsequently and we advanced toward Spotsylvania Court 
House, formed line in the woods in front of the road and rested." 

Tuesday, May 10th : 

"Isaac Sweetwood, of H Company, killed on a scout; com- 
menced the day by changing our position and continued changing all 
day, occupying twelve different and distinct positions, in two or three 
of which we built rifle pits. Our last and worst position was taken 
on the south side of the river opposite rifle pits which had been built 
by the Irisli Brigade in the morning. The enemy came up in force 
occupied the rifle pits and poured a murderous fire into our exposed 
line. We held that position two hours and a half, expended all our 
ammunition, were cut off from the balance of the Army by a burning 
woods and were fianked on the right by reason of the retiring of the 
Third Brigade. We got off safely, however, with the loss of about 
one hundred and seventy-five. IVTy sorrel horse was killed." 

Our last position referred to was altogether the most critical in 
which the Regiment was placed during the entire War. Having 
crossed the river the night before by fording and on a log, I had no 
knowledge of the building of bridges and nothing had been said to 
mo in regard to them. Having received no instructions for an hour 
or more from Colonel Brooke and doubting, from the movements on 
my right,' the continuation of our line by the Third Brigade, which 
I had been led to believe was in position there, I sent Sergt. Robert 
Kissinger, of I Company, to reconnoitre on our right. He was a 
thorough reliable scout, with undaunted courage, quick eye and good 
judgment. He served me well on several occasions such as this. He 
had scarcely gone beyond our right flank, when he returned on a 
full run, with eyes blazing, and, in emphatic language, said : 

"Colonel, the rebels are in there!" 

I crose-questioned him somewhat so as to be sure of it and found 
there was no reason to doubt his word. There we were, therefore, 
with the woods on fire on our left and with our right flank, ex- 
posed and the enemy, if they did not already know it, sure to ascer- 



\ 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 121 

tain that onr flank was in the air. Giving the Adjutant some direc- 
tions as to the movement, I determined to change front to the rear on 
the left company. This enabled ns to cross a ravine and get a favor- 
able position on a hill beyond. I stayed with the left and kept r.p a 
continnous fnsilade npon the enemy who were opposite us. AVhen 
the change had been made, the right flank rested near the point at 
which we had crossed the night before. I then gave directions to the 
companies from the right to cross the river. My horse had been shot 
through the flank and I felt sure would die. Lieutenant Cook, of H. 
Company, had been Avounded in his leg and was unable to walk, f 
put him upon the horse and begged him to get him across the river, 
if possible, so as to save himself and at the same time my saddle and 
bridle. Fortunately he did so and the horse dro]>ped dead after 
carrying him across the river. We began the removal of the woundc^l 
and, as the companies melted away, the last company on the left fin- 
ally started, after giving a couple of quick volleys, to give notice to 
the enemy that we were still there. The bank of the river was very 
marshy and in urging the passage of the men and, in helping to get 
off the wounded, I became mired and almost exhausted. One of 'the 
men of the left company writes me that he has a distinct recollection 
of helping me carry the corners of a blanket with a wounded officer 
in it, before we crossed the stream. I finally crossed and fell ex- 
hausted upon the opposite bank of the river — and here I have a con- 
fession to make. An artillery officer rode up to me, took the flask 
from his shoulder, unscrewed the top, which when reversed was a cup, 
filled it with whiskey and said : 

"This is what you want. Colonel." 

T drank it down and, although nearly strangled, was immediately 
revived. It was the only drink of whiskey T took during the War. 
As soon as I had recovered myself, I found, to my surprise, that our 
Brigade had withdrawn and that we had been left alone to confront 
an entire division of the enemy, without support and no connection 
either on our right or our loft. Complaining to Colonel Brooke about 
it, he said he had tried to send a staff oflScer to me several times but 
that it was impossible to communicate with me, because of the fire 
in the woods. 



122 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Anotlier incident occurred di;ring this fight which was intensely 
interesting. Up to that time and afterwards, it was the boast of the 
Second Gorps that it had never lost a gun or a color. During that 
fight, however, Captain Arnold, of Rhode Island, in moving his bat- 
tery in the rear of our Regiment, had one of his guns wedged between 
two trees. The force liad been so great that it was impossible to move 
it either way. I detailed a number of men to assist but, having no 
axe convenient, it was impossible to move the piece and the horses 
were unhitched from it and it was abandoned. It was captured from 
the enemy afterwards, however, so that our boast remained good for 
some time subsequently. 

Sunday, May 11th: 

"Remained quiet during the whole day, taking a position in the 
morning and occupying it until night. Put up a tent and prepared 
to enjoy a night of quiet rest, so much needed by us all. At 9:30 
o'clock marcliing orders were received. We moved quietly to the left 
of the Army and formed by battalions in mass, doubled on the center 
for a grand assault in the morning." 

Thursday, May 12th: 

"Waked about 4:30 a. m., somewhat refreshed by a short sleep; 
gave a few short directions to the men, with a word of cheer, and 
started on our perilous undertaking. Reached and took the rifle pits 
on the skirmish line, with little trouble. Advanced a short distance 
and then commenced the double quick, with a cheer. It was a glor- 
ious sight. The enemy opened with musketrv' and grape and canister. 
The column wavered but was rallied and pressed on, through the 
abatis and up over the enemy's works and down into their pits. The 
scene was one never to be forgotten. Prisoners poured through the 
column by thousands, gims and colors were captured by the score and 
the whole mass of troops became thoroughly mixed up. The enemy 
made a vigorous effort to retrieve their lost ground but were imsuc- 
cessful. The Sixth Corps coming up, we retired to re-form our line 
and were, in turn, ordered to support the right of the Sixth Corps. 
We were liere actively engaged and subjected to a most deadly mus- 
ketry fire. I was struck on this book by a spent ball. Our loss today 
about one hundred and twenty-five." 

This Avas the grand assault on Spotsylvania Court House, which 
was unquestionably the most successful bayonet charge of the War. 

Gon.(iO(irgo II. Stciiart, commanding a brigade of -Tohiison's Division, 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 123 

surrendered to me personally. He came toward me with the remark : 

^'I would like to surrender to an officer of rank." 

I replied, "I will be very glad to receive your surrender, sir ; 
whom have I the honor to address ?" 

He replied, "General Steuart." 

He w^as so different in appearance from what I imagined Gren- 
eral Stuart, of cavalry fame, to be and, knowing- of no other General 
Stuart, I said in a very surprised tone: 

''What! Jeb Steuart?" 

''ISTo," he said, "George H. Steuart, of the infantry." 

I then asked him for his sword and he looked about in a sur- 
prised way and said : 

"Well, sah, you all waked lis up so early this mawmin' that 1 
didn't get it on." 

[ expressed my regret that I oould not remain with him and 
could not see him to the rear. At this juncture a trig little Corporal 
of the Irish Brigade said, "I'll take care of him. Colonel," and, 
directing him to see the General safely to the rear, I hurried on. 

In coming through the abatis in front of the salient, I had bent 
and partly broken the scabbard of my sword. Fortunately the piece 
was not lost but it was rendered unfit for immediate service. One 
of our men picked up a beautiful little field saber with a steel scab- 
bard, the exact counterpart of w^hioh I have never seen, after we en- 
tered the enemy's entrenchments. He gave this to me and I carried 
it afterwards during the remainder of my service. My old saber, 
however, was repaired subsequently and I have both as valued war 
relics. 

As intimated in my diary, we became so thoroughly mixed up 
that the regimental organization was entirely lost. Encountering a 
second line of the enemy's works in this confusion and finding that 
it was impossible to carry them, we retired and began to form our 
lines outside the salient, the left of whicb had been carried by us. It 
was not long until we were ordered to the right and, to our amaze- 
ment, we marched over two or three lines of battle of the Sixth 
Corps lying on the ground which had evidently not been engaged. I 
have never vet been able to understand whv this was done. It was 



124 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

not ours to inquire at the time. We marchecl to the front and became 
warmly engaged and kept up our musketry fire till our ammunition 
was entirely exhausted. I had the file closers gather ammunition 
from our dead and wounded and afterwards carry it in their caps 
from the lines of the Sixth Corps, which were lying in our rear. Al- 
though losing heavily, we accomplished but little in this second stage 
of the engagement. At one time during the musketry fire, I went 
close to the line to ascertain whether everything was going well, when 
I saw Sergeant Kissinger, referred to above, coolly cutting off a piece 
of his shelter tent, putting the screw upon his ramrod and deliber- 
ately cleaning his rifle. He called to me, ''Colonel, don't come up 
here. This is a warm place; you have no business here; we will take 
care of this," and kept on cleaning his rifle and speaking in turns to 
me and to the men who were immediately about him. Such cxhil)!- 
tions of coolness and courage were by no means unusual. They show 
the extent to which discipline and training, added to natural gifts, 
can bring the American soldier. 

We evidently retired from this position and threw up some ]U'o- 
tection in the rear, although I have no distinct recollection of this, 
for, on Friday, May 13th, I note: 

"Remained quietly in our works until evening, when we moved 
to a |X)sition some distance in advance, where we threw up a new line 
of works adjoining the JSTintJi Corps on our left. This was just 
the point at which we entered the enemy's works yesterday morning. 
Many of our killed and wounded were found here. Shar]>sh(i()ters 
were very troublesome." 

Tlie satisfaclion with whicli 1 wrote the first words of the entry 
on the following day can scarcely be appreciated by those who had 
not shared in the fatigues of the five days immediately preceding. 
Saturday, May 14th : 

"Remained quiet all day. Sat on a court of inquiry in the case 

of Colonel , accused of drunkenness on duty ; visited 

the 45th and saw very many of my old friends and acquaintances ; 
had several men wounded on the skirmish line." 

On Sunday, May ir)th, 1 note a slight movement: 

"Moved in tlie morning near the Ninth Corps hospital and biv- 
ouacked in column by division at lialf distance; put up shelter tents 



\ 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 125 

and commenced cleaning up. Are near General Grant's headquar- 
ters; saw Doctor Christ (45tli Pennsylvania Volunteers)." 

Next day, Monday, May 16tli: 

'^Remained in the same place all day; had an inspection at 
5:00 p. M." 

This inspection was not merely for the sake of having something 
to do but, after the serious business in which we had been engaged, it 
was imix)rtant to ascertain that the arms were in good condition and 
that the men were supplied with ammunition, as well as to see that 
shoes and clothing were sufficient and haversacks filled. 

Tuesday, May 17th : 

"Remained quiet until after dinner, when we moved a short dis- 
tance to the left. Moved again at dusk to form for an attack on our 
extreme left. Faced about just before we were in position, how-ever, 
and marched to the extreme right and formed double column in mass. 
Had visits from several members of the 45th, including my brother 
Addams and Capt, Austin Curtin." 

Wednesday, May 18th: 

"Moved before daylight and formed the second line in a dis- 
astrous assault in which the Second and Third Brigades suffered, 
severely ; had four men wounded ; had just prepared myself for a 
good sleep when marching orders arrived ; marched from the extreme 
right to the extreme left beyond the Andrews House." 

Thursday, May 19th : 

"Remained quiet all day ; received a mail in the morning. Can- 
nonading just before sundown started us to the right to assist Gen- 
eral Tyler's Division of Heavy Artillery. Tliey drove the enemy 
before we arrived, however, and we returned to our old ground." 

Friday, May 20th: 

"A good night's sleep; orders to be ready to march at daylight 
waked us rather early, however; marched at 11 :00 p. m. precisely to 
the left and turned the right flank of the enemy's position." 

Saturday, May 21st: 

"Halted a short time at sunrise, having marched all night, and 
then pushed on ; crossed the *R & P Rail- 
road two or three times ; crossed the Mat and reached Milford, after 
passing through Bowling Green, a beautiful little town ; deployed the 

*Richmond and Potomac. 



126 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Regiment along the banks of the Mattapony ; found a ford and 
pushed across up to the waists in water ; captured a few prisoners and 
a little camp and garrison equipage, skirmished for two or three 
miles and were relieved by the Second Division, our Brigade lying in 
reserve." 

1 find, in a letter of May 26, 1864, this account of our crossing 
of the river : 

"Friday evening last at eleven o'clock we commenced a great 
flank movement Avhich resulted in compelling the enemy to evacuate 
his strong position at Spotsylvania Court House and take a position 
some twenty-five miles nearer Richmond. Our Corps led the advance, 
my Regiment in the lead. We were the first to cross the Mattapony, 
which we did by fording it, waist deep. We took up a strong position 
around Milford Station, fortified ourselves and waited for the balance 
of the Army. On Sunday I was sent with my Regiment on a recon- 
naissance ; we went some five miles out, met the enemy's cavalry in 
front and were fired into by our own cavalry in the rear, but fortu- 
nately lost none. ISText day the Army came up and we m.arched here, 
which is some twenty-two miles from Richmond. The enemy are 
strong in our front and the indications are that we will again turn 
their position which is I believe now being done by other portions of 
the Army, whilst we hold them in front." 

Later, in this same letter : 

"It rains as T write, very steadily, but, thanks to my pack rnnlo, 
we have a tent with us and are perfectly protected against the 
weather. AVe are very well fixed for a campaigm. T carry with me 
in my saddle bags a complete change of underclothing, have rubber 
coat and pantaloons, so that I can ride a whole day in the rain, with- 
out inconvenience; have our eatables in a pair of panniers carried on 
'Xan' and material for a good bed in any kind of weather. The only 
thing I need badly is a chair and T intend to have one as soon as T 
can send to the train." 

These extracts recall vividly to mind the all-night march, in 
which our Regiment led the entire Corps in the advance of the Army, 
and es]->ecially the beauty of the scene after sunrise as we reached and 
passed through Bowling Green. It was in a beautiful, fertile valley 
and, not having been over-run by either Army, everything was fresh 
and beautiful. Ft was in striking contrast with all that Ave had seen 
and experienced since crossing the Rappahannock. The reference to 
my pack mule also recalls that beneficient institution. My stable 



THE 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 127 

man, wlio was a detail from Company I, was a natural born trader, 
lie fonnd tJiis little white mule somewhere before we started and 
bought her for $20.00. I had a pack saddle mannfactured and loaded 
her, as indicated in the letter quoted above. She was a most intelli- 
gent and useful animal. Unfortunately, my factotum was in the 
habit of getting a little off the track from the temperance standpoint, 
when he had the opportunity. On one occasion about this time in the 
campaign he swerved from the strict line of rectitude and lost the 
mule. The result was that we went to bed without any bed, and 
practically supperless, except for the bounty of some of the men, 
who gave us some of their hard tack, upon which we thankfully 
retired. Some time during the night T heard the most jubilant mule 
song and waked up to find one of our boys with Nan, who had found 
the Regiment, without the help of her custodian. She was quite as 
much rejoiced as we were. She remained with us during the entire 
campaign and, after my military career had closed, I sold her, if T 
remember, to Capt. William H. Humes of our town, who was an 
Assistant Quartermaster in the Army. 

The reconnaissance referred to in the letter above quoted took 
place on Sunday, the 22d of May, as to which I note in my diary: 

"Started on a reconnaissance toward New Bethel Church ; had 
a very pleasant trip ; scared up a few of the enemy's cavalry and were 
fired into by our oAvn ; returned in the evening, without losing a man." 

On Monday, the 23d : 

"Marched in the early morning toward the North Anna and 
arrived on its banks about 3 :00 p. m." 

Next day : 

"Crossed the North Anna on pontoon bridge east of the railroad ; 
lay under protection of a hill for several hours and advanced in the 
evening to attack the enemy's position ; orders were countermanded, 
however, and we advanced a short distance and threw up heavy 
works; detailed as corps oflScer of the day; hea^^ showers." 

Wednesday, May 25th : 

"Went to bed at 1 :00 a. isr., after seeing rifle pits almost fin- 
ished ; had a tent put up during the day and tried to be comfortable." 



128 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Thursday, 26tl]i: 

''Remained in our old position, mthout incident, during the 
day. Sent out 200 men on the picket line to remain until all troops 
were withdrawn; our Brigade crossed the river to the north bank 
last." 

Friday, May 27th : 

'Tickets came in safely early this morning; had a little sleep 
and some rest ; terrible firing on the river bank, without much occa- 
sion for it. Marched at 11 :30 a. m. A slow, steady march, some dia- 
stance from the bank of the North Anna brought us at midnight to 
; passed Concord and Churches." 

Saturday, May 28th: 

''Marched at 6 :30 a. m. A pleasant, steady march brought us, 
at 1 :00 p. M., to the bank of the Pamunkey which crossed on a 
pontoon bridge; took up an advantageous position a short distance 
from the river some eighteen miles from Richmond ; threw up strong 
earthworks." 

Sunday, 29th: 

"A delightful sleep all night, with my trousers off — mirahUe 
dictu! Spent a pleasant morning; inspection and divine service as 
in camp. Services abridged, however, by an order to march ; Division 
made a reconnaissance on the Richmond road and found the enemy 
entrenched on Totopotomoy Creek ; formed line at right in rear of 
the Second Brigade." 

Monday, May 30th : 

"Made numerous changes during the day and at length joined a 
portion of the second line in a charge across the Toto]X)tomoy. Did 
not cross, however, but threw up a heavy work on the hill on the 
north side." 

Tuesday, May 31st: 

"Tools were scarce and we occupied the whole night in perfect- 
ing our works ; remained in them quietly most of the day and at night 
crossed the creek and threw up new works." 

Wednesday, June 1st: 

"Another night spent at breastworks which afforded us protec- 
tion against the enemy's skirmishers — nothing more ; ordered to 
move at night; commenced the march at 4:00 p. m." 



THE i^STH PENNSYLFJNIJ FOLUNTEERS 129 

Tlmrsday, June 2d : 

"Were marching- when the day commenced in a choking; and 
sickening dust. Arrived at Cold Harbor early in the morning; 
formed in rear of the Sixth Corps until we had breakfast; deployed 
Regiment as skirmishers and advanced beyond the Sixth Corps, driv- 
ing tbe enemy a considerable distance; a delightful rain refreshed 
us considerably. An assault ordered for the morning; corps officer 
of the day." 

Friday, June 8d : 

"Formed five companies with the Brigade at 3 :30 a. m. in the 
second line ; five companies on the skirmish line advanced several 
hundred yards and came ujwn the enemy's works, the outside 
of which we gained ; the Second Division not affording prompt sup- 
port, we failed to enter and dropi>ed under the hill ; pushed 
up gradually and got a little earth thrown up which soon grew into 
a rifle pit some one hundred yards from the enemy ; had a 
warm time all day which closed at night with a tremendous fusilade ; 
was struck with a spent ball in the hip ; lost five killed, forty-eight 
wounded and missing." 

Saturday, June 4th : 

"Worked most of the night strengthening our works and pre- 
paring them for artillery." 

This battle of Cold Harbor has been much discussed and General 
Grant has often been much criticised for having made the assault. 
I know nothing of the battle beyond what took place in our immediate 
front. As indicated in the diary, our Regiment was divided, five 
companies being upon the skirmish line and the other five in the sec- 
ond line of battle. Before the battle commenced, although T was hv 
no means the ranking officer. Colonel Brooke placed me in command 
of the second line with directions that, if anything happened him, I 
should assume the command until the fight was over. He accompan- 
ied the first line, composed largely of the 7th New York Heavy 
Artillery under Colonel Morris. This line actually entered the 
enemy's works. The second line followed closely and was just upon 
the outside of them, when the first line, being driven back, poured 
through us, at such a rate as to break our organization. By that 
time a second line of the enemy had cx>me forward and rendered our 
occupancy of the works permanently impossible. Colonel Brooke 



130 THE STORY OF Ol'R REGIMENT 

was Avounded and I took command of the Brig-ade. There was some 
uneasiness and uncertainty on our left flank. I sent one of the 
Brig^ade staff to that point to keep things from becoming- demoralized, 
sent anotiier to the right, and was standing talking to Captain Brady 
(aferwards Gen. J. D. Brady, of Petersburg, Virginia) when we 
both jumped from our feeit, at the same time. I supposed that my 
whole right hip was carried away but. when Brady fell, T put my foot 
down and, finding that I could stand upon it, I looked after him. Tt 
became e^'ident then that the ball which went through his arm and 
the fleshy part of his body had struck me on the hip. The morning 
was rather wet and T had my waterproof coat on. The force of the 
ball was just sufiicient to cut through the waterproof and to give me 
an ugly bruise which, although exceedingly painful, did not disable 
me. Tn addition to the wounding of Colonel Brooke, Colonel Morris 
of the 66th New York, who ranked me, was killed. 

The next morning, in conversation with Colonel Morris, of the 
7th Heavy Artilleiw, who had joined us for the campaign after it 
commenced, I happened to make inquiry as to his rank, although T 
had no reason to suspect that he was older in commission as a Colonel 
than T, but I found from his answer that he was and turned the com- 
mand of the Brigade over to him. He was an officer in the Regular 
Army and had such experience that T had no misgivings in serving 
under him. He was killed that day and I was sent for by General 
Barlow and formally placed in command of the Brigade. Previously 
during the campaign T had been offered the command of the Third 
Brigade and also of the Second Brigade of our Division but begged 
off each time, for the reason that T much preferred to serve with my 
own Begiment and did not care to be made responsible for the con- 
duct of troops with whom T had not been associated and whose im- 
mediate commanders, although known to me in a measure personally, 
had not been so intimately associated as to enable me to judge of their 
efficiency or to give them an opportunity of judging of my capacity 
to command them. Tn addition to this, there had been so many 
changes since the campaign commenced and so many of the field 
officers had been killed or wounded that the regiments were often in 
command of Captains and T much preferred to remain with my Regi- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFJNIA VOLUNTEERS 131 

ment and the Brigade of which it formed a part, until the fortunes 
of war made it incumbent upon me to assume the command of the 
Brigade. This happened at Cold Harbor, as already intimated, and, 
without hesitation, the responsibility which was entailed by the cas- 
ualties of the War, was cheerfully assumed. 

On the 4tli of June, 1 wrote a letter to my mother which is, all 
in all, the most strikingly military letter written by me during the 
entire War. It is dated near Gaines Mills, Virginia, is written upon 
an octagonal piece of brown, mauila paper, which was the wrapper of 
a package of cartridges. The reason for it appears in the letter it- 
self and, although a repetition of what has been said, it helps to 
throvv- light upon the situation and I, therefore', quote it: 

"This letter is to be purely military, written on the wrapper 
ci" a package of cartridges. We have had fatiguing times for several 
days. For four days previous to last night we had been so constantly 
engaged marching, ii.ghting and building breast works that the men 
had little or no sleep. The result was tliat they were completely 
Worn out and, when our labors culminated yesterday morning in a 
grand assault upon the enemy's works, they were scarcely able to 
advance. Some of our men entered the works, but, being poorly 
sui^ported or rather, not being supported at all, they (the main body) 
failed to enter. We remained within less than one hundred yards 
of the works, however, and cautiously commenced to throw up slight 
works. We could have been driven from our position very easily but 
the enemy were evidently very much frightened and did not attempt 
it. We are so close under the enemy's gTins that they can do us no 
harm, firing entiirely over us. As usual, my Regiment is in the 
front and are safer here now than if they were a mile in the rear. 
We have lost but two or thee since our works were completed. Our 
loss during the day in killed, wounded and missing is about fifty. 
Close as we are to the enemy, last night is the first one in five of which 
the men have had any chance for comfortable sleep. Our Quarter- 
master Sergeant is liere and will take this with him to the train, 
whence it can be sent by mail. Colonel Brooke was wounded yester- 
day and Colonel Morris severely today. 1 am, therefore, in com- 
mand of the Brigade. I was struck again yesterday on the hip but 
the skin was not broken and, although somewhat painful, the wound 
does not prevent my running about as usual, the force of the ball 
having been spent. We will have tough work fi*om here to Richmond, 
though T think it will be principally by digging, which will not in- 
volve such a loss as our late svstem of dailv a'^saults," 



132 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

We remainod several days in the position which we had gained 
during the assault at Cold Harbor and, after a night or two of sleep, 
it seemed well to me to give employment to our men and we com- 
menced, without any orders upon the subject, to tunnel under the 
enemy's eetrenohments. 

On Sunday, June 5th, I find in my diary: 

"Commenced regular approaches to the enemy's works." 

Monday, eTune 6th : 

"Up most of the night ; commenced mining tMs morning, being 
unable to work in the regular parallels ; sharp shooting very annoy- 
ing." 

Tuesday, June 7tli : 

"Flag of truce ; cessation of hostilities from 6 :00 p. m. to 8 :00 
p. M. ; buried the dead and brought in one wounded man." 

This flag of truce went out on our front. When the time for the 
commencement of the truce began, a flag was put up on each side and, 
in a minute, the men from both sides were over their respective 
works and, notwithstanding the orders to the contrary, it was impos- 
sible to restrain them. Regular burying parties had been detailed 
and oiBcers and men outside of the details mingled together in con- 
versation, trading tobacco for coffee and other things which our men 
had and which were a novelty and a luxury to the Confederates. 
Even after the time for the truce had expired, there seemd to be an 
indisposition to resume hostilities. On Wednesday, June 8th, I note : 

"The truce seemed to continue some hours during the morning 
— a treacherous quiet Avhich was by no means pleasing; felt much 
more at home, when the usual sharp shooting commenced ; nothing un- 
usual today." 

There was no change in the situation, except continuous work 
on our tunnel, until Sunday, June 12th, under which date I find: 

"Ordered to withdraw after dark, a very delicate and critical 
operation, which was performed successfully with the loss of consid- 
erable patience and a great deal of nervous excitement ; got off safely ; 
removed to an open space near the Tyler House and commenced the 
march a little before twelve." 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 133 

Monday, June 13th: 

"Marclied all night, crossing the York River Railroad near 
TuDbStall's Station ; reached the swamps of the Chiokahominy early 
in the morning; rested for an hour or more and crossed on a pontoon 
bridge on the side of Long Bridge at 10 :06 a. m. Continued the 
march and reached the James — ^noble river — at Sweeney's Landing 
at 6 :00 p. m. Put up tent and had a ^varm siipper — the first meal of 
the day." 

Tuesday, June 14th : 

'^Elegant sleep with boots and stockings off; spent the day restr 
ing and washing; marched in the evening and crossed the James to 

Windmill Point on the George W ; Brigade occupied 

three boats; bivouacked about a mile from the river." 

Wednesday, June 15th: 

"Moved about 12 :00 m. ; marched steadily all day and arrived 
in the vicinity of Petersburg late at night — too late ; we had marched 
six or seven miles out of our way." 

The ignorance or treachery of a guide employed by division 
headquarters took us out of our way and prevented our reaching^ 
Petersburg in time for the first assault. As we approached, the 
wounded men of the colored troops, who had made or were just making 
the assault, were coming out of the fight. They were in no panic and, 
to my amazement, each man seemed to bring his gun with him. T 
had never seen wounded men come out of a fight as they did. 

The Fourth Brigade was leading the Division in the march and, 
as we came up, with the scenes of battle about us, Captain Marlin, 
who was on the division staff and representing General Barlow, ap- 
proached General Hancock and said: 

"General Hancock, General Barlow sends his compliments and 
desires to know where you will have these troops placed." 

Hancock, evidently much excited, said, "Capt.ain, you had better 
put them on that hill," pointing to an elevation some distance to our 
left. 

The Captain, supposing the order to be meant as given, turned 
to communicate it to me, when Hancock broke out, "Yes, put 'em 
there, if you want every one of them killed," and then said, with 
great impatience: 

"Where's General BarloAv ?" 



134 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

It seemed that ho had made some inquiry for hira the day be- 
fore on the banks of the James and found him asleep. When Captain 
Marlin then said : ''He stopped a little distance back to bathe his 
feet," Hancock, dropping the rein of his bridle, wrung his hands, as 
if in great agony, and said : 

"That's it; that'>^ it; always asleep or washing his feet." 

Ft was so ludicrous that, notwithstanding the gravity of the situ- 
ation, we couldn't refrain from a hearty laugh, in which I think 
Hancock himself quietly joined, as he turned his horse and rode away. 

In a letter of June 6, 18 64-, I wrote: 

"We heard last evening of the death of Captain Core, one of 
the best officers in the Regiment, from wounds received the morning 
of the charge, 12th of May. Poor fellow ! I don't know when T felt 
more sorry over the loss of any one. He is the fifth officer dead since 
we commenced the campaign." 

The other officers referred to were Lieut. James B. Cook, of H 
Company, who died from wounds at Po Piver, Lieut. John McGuirc, 
of I Company, who was killed at I^orth Anna ; Lieutenant Lander, of 
C Company, who had been detailed as Quartermaster prior to the re- 
ceipt of the commission of Lieutenant Musser and had joined us 
upon being relieved but a day or two before, who was sitting imme- 
diately behind me upon a slight earthwork, when General Barlow 
and 1 were discussing the situation. A shell or spherical case struck 
the onrtli Avork and exploded. I heard a groan, looked around and 
Lander was dead. The fifth officer referred to was either Capt. A. A. 
Rhinehart, of D Company, who was seriously wounded at Po Piver, 
tlie officer whom T assisted to carry from the field in a blanket, who 
afterwards returned to the Pegiment, or Lieut. J-^mes M. Sutton, of 
E Company, who lost his leg at Po Piver and, although not dead, 
never rejoined the company and was then supposed to be dead. Cap- 
tain Core had no military experience whatever when he joined our 
Pegiment. He came from the rural part of Clarion County with a 
com]>any of men made up, for the most part of neighbors accustomed 
to rural life. The fashioning of his company into shape as part of 
an efficient military machine was one of the difficult problems in 
the training of our Pegiment, but the men were earnest and deter- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 135 

mined, when they came to understand the gravity of the situation and 
the necessity for discipline and training. The company developed 
some c>f the best officers and men of the Regiment. 

I recall a little incident, illustrating Captain Core's devotion to 
duty, which happened I think in the campaign of 1863. Details were 
made for picket duty from the several regimei'ts and reported to a 
division officer of the day. Our usual detail for picket had been 
made in the evening under command of Captain Core. The march 
was resumed next day ; after we had gone some distance, I inquired 
of the AdjutMut whether our picket detail had reported. He replied 
in the negative and a little later on I made another inquiry and found 
that they had not yet returned. I then said : 

''Who is in command of the detail ?" 

He said, "Captain Core." 

"Well," said I, "go back and hunt them, up, for, if Core hasn't 
been regularly relieved by the officer of the day, he would stay there 
till eternity." 

This gives the idea of the fidelity and absolute subordination to 
orders which characterized the men. 

Thursday, June 16th: 

"Moved earlv in the morning within sight of the spires of Peters- 
burg." 

The next entry in my diary is Friday, June 17th: "Laid in 
hospital." 

The events which occurred between these two entries explajn 
the latter. Later in the day, after the entry of the 16th, our Brigade 
was ordered to charge two redoubts immediately in our front, which 
seemed to pi^esent a most beautiful op]X)rtunity foi" an effective as- 
sault. The Brigade was formed, the regimental commanders called 
together, their attention directed to two trees between the redoubts 
toward which our march was to be directed, instructions were given 
as to the succession in command of the Brigade, so long as a regimen- 
tal commander remained unhurt, and the start was made in fine 
style. The march was beautifully executed, the column appeared well 
closed up and was compact and steady as possible. The fire was imt 



136 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

unusually severe, although tlie artillery was kept playing upon us 
from the time we started and musketry commenced when we were 
within range. We came under the very shadow of the works, how- 
ever, and just as I was about to give the command for a cheer and 
rhe double quick what I suppose was the last discharge from one of 
the pieces of artillery in one of the redoubts, which was very much 
depressed, buried a shell in the ground, which exploded and blew me 
into the air feet foremost. I have a distinct recollection of coming 
down on my right shoulder. I was probably unconscious for a little, 
for I have no recollection of what immediately followed. When I 
recovered consciousness, my orderly, who carried the brigade flag, 
had the pole under my arms and was dragging me along the ground 
with some additional help. The brigade staff was scattered in differ- 
ent directions, so as to help by word and example the different regi- 
ments. I regarded the object of the charge as practically attained 
when I fell, and was very much surprised to learn subsequently that 
it was not a success. It seenis that the officer who succeeded me in 
command of the Brigade, failed to push forward and some of the 
regiments, finding that the march had been stopped and that no fur- 
ther advance was to be made, retired of their own account. Others, 
who remained on the ground, were captured. 

The wound which I received was in the left side and was a very 
painful one and the issue of it quite uncertain for a time. I re- 
mained with the Army for a day or two, when I was moved to City 
Point and thence, by slow degrees, to my home. Returned to the 
Army Friday, the 29th of July. I found, however, on reaching 
there, that I was utterly unable to ride on horseback and after spend- 
ing two or three days at General Hancock's headquarters, during 
which the explosion of the mine and what followed it occurred, I waa 
compelled to return home. 

T rejoined the Army Wednesday, August 24th. An ambulance 
met me at City Point, in which I journeyed to the wagon train of 
the Second Corps and found that our Division in company with other 
portions of the Corps had gone to Reams Station. I followed the 
next morning in the ambulance and had a very tiresome journey, 
joining the Corps, or so much of it as was with General Hancock at 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 137 

Reams Station, where they were engaged in tearing up the Weldon 
Railroad. As I reached the vicinity of Reams Station and was driv- 
ing in to join the troops, I fonnd our cavalry on both flanks of our 
infantry engaged with the enemy's cavalry, so that their fire came 
from both directions across the road on which I was traveling. This 
indicated that the force engaged in tearing up the railroad was nearly 
surrounded. I passed that point of danger, however, safely and re- 
ported to General Hancock. He seemed very glad to see me and 
directed me to join my Brigade. He said : 

"You are just in time; your Brigade needs you today." 
Being without a horse, I borrowed one from our regimental 
Quartermaster which I think belonged to Colonel Fairlamb. Gen- 
eral Miles, who was commanding the Division that day, was in some 
other part of the field and I had no opportunity of communicating 
with him. I rode along the lines for a little distance to find what my 
connections were and returned to the center of the Brigade, where I 
relieved Colonel Broady, of the 61st New York, who was in command 
of it. Some of the staff officers reported to me and, finding that there 
was some skirmishing in the front and that a stray ball came into 
our neighborhood occasionally and that we were behind an embank- 
ment of the railroad, which afforded good shelter for the troops, I 
directed the Sergeant who had brought me the horse to take it and 
his own behind a little diurch that was in tbe immediate neighborhood, 
and that I would call for him, when the horse was needed. As it was 
a borrowed horse, I did not like to run the risk of having it killed. 
There was little firing going on, however, and I had no apprehension 
at all of any untoward result. Having a pair of new shoulder straps 
on, it occurred to me that it might be possible there were some sharp- 
shooters in the trees in our front and I, therefore, walked up and, 
down in one of the old cotton or tobacco rows, taking an occasional 
look at the front to see how tJie skirmishing was coming on. It was 
quite apparent tihat the cavalr)' had disclosed the position of the 
enemy and that our infantry skirmishers were engaged. The cavalry 
started for the rear, their work being done, and, as they approached 
the railroad embankment, I suddenly fell, with my right leg almost 
at right angles with my body. The first thought which came to me 



138 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

was that the cavalry would tramp me to death. I raised myself on 
the right elbow, finding tihat I was unable to rise, shook my cap in 
the air and the leaders of the column of fours reined in their horses 
and sent the squadron or battalion around me, thus saving me from 
the danger which I apprehended. Two of the men who halted dis- 
mounted, giving their horses to their comrades, and dragged me from 
the place where I had fallen, until we encountered stretcher bearers, 
who carried me to the field hospital, where a slight examination was 
made of my wound and I was put into the ambulance which had 
brought me to the front. My leg was amputated the next morning, 
the amputation being very skillfully made by Dr. J. W. Wishart, 
the chief of the operating staff. Surgeon of the 140th Pennsylvania 
Regiment, my own Surgeon, Doctor Davis, and Dr. George L. Potter, 
Surgeon of the 145th Pennsylvania Volunteers, being present. Fear- 
ing to be taken to the hospital, I begged to remain with the troops at 
our field hospital. The men of our drum corps arranged a stretcher, 
with a canopy made of shelter tents over it, and carried me the en- 
tire distance from the point at which the amputation was made to 
the field hospital, about eleven miles. Here I was placed in one of 
tlie parlors of the Burohett House, in the ground around which our 
field hospital was arranged. I cannot conceive of a wounded officer 
receiving better attention than was given me by surgeons, hospital 
quartermaster, nurses and friends in the vicinity. Some of my 
drummer boys undertook the care of me. Miss Helen M. Gilson, a 
niece of Mr. Fay, the president or chief of the Sanitary Commission 
in the Army, whose services were rendered for tbe most part in the 
Third Corps, came, at General McAllister's suggestion, to see me and 
remained two or three days, giving the boys suggestions in regard to 
my care and nourishment. 

I was, of course, disqualified for active service in the field and 
remained as a practical inmate of the field hospital until about the 
1st of October, when the Corps moved and I was taken to City Point 
and thence worked my way home gradually. An offer was later made 
me, at the suggestion of General Hancock, for a detail for court mar- 
tial duty at Washington, but T had no fancy for that kind of military 
service and, at my own suggestion, I was mustered out December 22, 



i 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 139 

1864, on account of wounds received in battle. This terminated my 
connection with our Regiment. T, of course, continued interested in 
the Regiment and all that it did, receiving frequent communications 
from, the several officers in command. 

A few days after my wound at Petersburg, the Regiment was 
again engaged in the neighborhood of our first assault. In that battle 
Capt. Jacob B. Edmonds, of C Company, was killed. At Reams 
Station Lieut. David G. Ralston, of the same company, was als- 
killed. That made two complete sets of officers of this company killed 
on the field of battle. In October, 1864, Sergt. Samuel Everhart 
was promoted from Sergeant to First Lieutenant and, on the 1st of 
March, 1865, to Captain, although not mustered. He was killed at 
Five Forks, Virginia, March 31, 1865, making seven officers of this 
company killed outright on the field of battle. Gen. James W. Latta, 
who served during the Civil War as First Lieutenant of the 119tli 
Regiment, and later as Assistant Adjutant General United States 
Volunteers, and afterwards Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, who 
has made something of a study of the statistics of the War, has fre- 
quently referred to the record of this company as being absolutely 
unique in the Civil War. 

It is a matter of much regret to me not to be able to finish the 
"Story of the Regiment" more fully as to the details of the last cam- 
paign. It was later honored by General Hancock in being designated 
as the one regiment in the First Division of the Second Corps to 
receive repeating rifles. The heroic assault upon one of the enemy's 
forts in front of Petersburg by one hundred men of our Regiment, 
led by Major J. Z. Brown, is grap]iically told in the "Brigade Com- 
mander's Story," by General Mulholland. The details of the closing 
campaign in the spring of 1865 will doubtless be fully given by some 
of the officers or men who took an active part therein. It is possible 
that I may have some contribution for the chapters of incidents and 
aftermath which I understand will constitute a part of our History. 

In closing the "Colonel's Story" I desire only to say that, whilst 
as a Regiment and as individuals, none of us did more than our duty , 
it has always been a source of great gratification to me that officers 
and men alike in our Regiment, with fewer exceptions than would 



140 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

naturally be expected, in every time of danger, emergency and trial, 
rose to the demands of the occasion and, so far as my personal knowl- 
edge and memory go, brought no dis<?.i"edit upon the unsullied record 
of the Regiment. We had an esprit de corps that was unusual, a well 
defined ideal toward which we aimed and a devotion to duty which 
met all demands and surmounted all obstacles. The comradeship, 
born of the scenes and trials through which we passed as a Regiment, 
has continued to this day and has been, as it continues to be, one of 
the greatest pleasures and most constant sources of enjoyment of my 
life. 



LIEUT. COL. GEO. A. FAIRLAMB. 

About the latter part of July, 1862, Dr. Geo. A. Fairlamb, of 
Bellefonte, at his request, received an order from Harrisburg to raise 
a company of one hundred men for immediate use in the field, and 
in the early part of August the men were in Harrisburg, reporting for 
duty. These men afterwards became H Company of the 148th and 
Doctor Fairlamb was appointed Major of the Regiment. His commis- 
sion as Major being daited September 8, 1862, and on the 30th day 
of October, 1863, he was made Lieutenant Colonel vice Robert Mc- 
Farlane resigned. In the early part of the engagement at Chancellors- 
ville in May, 1865, Colonel Beaver was wounded and removed from 
the field and the ooimnand devolved upon Major Fairlamb. They 
were thrown into tlie woods north of the Chancellor House to^ check 
the advance of the troops of McLaw's Division of Co'nfederates 
without time being given to throw out skirmishers — being put in by 
General Hooker himself. After a severe engagement, almost at 
"hand-to-hand" in which they lost very heavily in killed and 
wounded, tjhey succeeded in driving the enemy from the woods. At 
that time word was brought from the headquarters to Major Fairlamb 
that the enemy were about to shell the woods where the Regiment 
was, and that he was to get his men out the best way he could, which 
he succeeded in doing in good order and without any further loss. 

Colonel Fairlamb participated in tlie Mine Run campaign, in 
the affairs at Auburn Hill and the battle of Bristoe Station. He wa^ 
through the fight in the Wilderness, and at the battle of Po River 
had his horse wounded under him. 

At the battle of Spotsylvania Court House when Hancock 
stormed the enemy's works at the break of day, at the Salient (which 
has since been called the Bloody Angle) the first man to mount the 
enemy's works was Colonel Fairlamb, shouting to the Regiment to 
follow him, which they did in good style. Further on, within the 
enemy's second line Colonel Fairlamb received a rifle ball crushing 
the elbow of his right arm and afterwards was shot in the left 



142 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

shoulder. He was captured and that afternoon was operated on in 
the woods by Doctor Holt, the Chief Surgeon of Scales' Confederate 
Brigade. A few days afterwards he was taken to Richmond and con- 
fined in Libby Prison, during the summer snffcriiig all the hardships 
and miseries which have so often and so truthfully been told of that 
notorious prison. 

Suffering from his wounds and in a high fever he had no recol- 
lection of the first three or four weeks of his sojourn there. His first 
memory was hearing one of his fellow prisoners saying, "Less to eat 
now tban ever, since that officer has begun to take food." 

In September of the same year a council of Confederate Sur- 
geons pronouncing him unfit to ever return to the field he was paroled 
and sent to Annapolis, after a time l^eing exchanged. On the 24th 
of February, 1865, he received a discharge from the Army "on ac- 
count of wounds received in battle." F. E. B. 



THE LIEFTEXAXT COLOXEL'S STORY 

AND INCIDENTALIA' THE STORY OF COMPANY B. 
By Lieut. Col. James F. Weaver. 

The month of August, 1862, was one of the darkest periods dur- 
ing the War. McClellaii had been recalled from the Peninsula and 
Pope had suffered a terrible reverse at Bull Eun. The President, on 
the 2d of July, had issued a call for 300,000 fresh troops and, on the 
2d of August, ordered a draft of 300,000 additional. The entire 
North was in a feverish ex<?it.ement. Many feared for the safety of 
the Union, Avhile all regarded the situation as extremely critical. The 
hour had come to test the strength of a government "of the people, for 
the people." 

Tt was in this hour of national trial I determined to contribute 
my poor service in defence of the flag of stars and the constitution 
as our fathers made it. Early in August I went to Harrisburg and 
was mustered into the state service as Second Lieutenant, with 
authority from the Governor to raise a company for the defence of 
the National Government, to serve for three years, or during the War. 
Immediately on return recruiting commenced. Public meetings 
were held at several points and strong appeals made to influence men 
to enlist. Notwithstanding the fact that three companies had prev- 
iously been recruited largely on the same territory, to-wit. Companies 
A and D of the 45th, and Company A of the 49th, enlisting went on 
briskly. With the assistance of J. C. P. Jones (who subsequently 
became Lieutenant and rendered willing and efficient service), the 
quota was soon secured. 

The company was enlisted almost entirely in the Bald Eagle 
Valley, between Howard on the east and Martha Furnace on the west. 
A few were added from the sunny side of Muncy Mountain, along 
Buffalo Eun, four or five from Snow Shoe and Karthaus, and 
two or three from Xittauy Valley, at what was then known as Wash- 
ington Furnace, and all rendezvoused at Milesburg on the 20th of 
August. 



144 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

On the 21st, the good citizens of the town and vicinity very gen- 
erously afforded local transportation to Lock Haven, it being the 
nearest railroad communication at the time. We arrived there in 
the early evening, witli the exception of seventeen men who had been; 
granted special permission to report a week later. The company wa^ 
provided with supper at the Fallon House and a little later the same 
evening received transportation to Harrisburg, where we arrived 
about three o'clock the following morning. Breakfast was furnished 
at the Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, either in or near the station. 
A little later several mounted officers appeared and conducted us to 
Camp Curtin. 

We were now environed with military. Troops were constantly 
arriving and departing. The stirring music of the fife and drum was 
heard in all directions. Patriotism was at par and the boys were 
anxious to reach the front. 

Among the first duties to be attended to was to make requisition 
for commissary supplies and camp and garrison equipage, which was 
promptly attended to. Each man was supplied with a tin plate, tin 
cup, spoon, knife and fork and canteen and a reasonable amount of 
cooking utensils for the use of the company. Some regarded the out- 
fit as rather meagre, but experience proved it quite ample. Thus pro- 
vided, the boys sat down, on the dusty ground, to discuss the merits 
of their first dinner in camp. It was mostly enjoyed with a relish, 
as many had been accustomed to camping in the woods and cabin life, 
but one fellow, as he hastily scanned the menu, was heard to exclaim, 
with a deep sigh, "Are we to have such fat meat all the time and no 
butter ?" 

During tbe afternoon tents were erected and the boys began to 
select their messmates and prepare themselves for campaigning and 
the realities of soldier life. 

On the 23d, a formal election was held which resulted as fol- 
lows: Captain, James F. Weaver; First Lieutenant, Jabez C. P. 
Jones; Second Lieutenant, James E. McCartney. 

The company numbered among its enlisted men two who had 
formerly served as officers in the earlier days of the War and two 
who had served in the ranks in the tJiree months' service, to-wit : Rob- 



THE 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 145 

ert Lipton, Captain Company E, 1st Cavalry; William D. Harper, 
Second Lieutenant Company A, iOtli, and Constaiis Barger and 
James E. McCartney, in tlie ranks. This was all the military capi- 
tal the company possessed. 

Lieutenant Jones was dispatched for the seventeen men who had 
been granted an extension in time of reporting and arrived in camp 
with the detachment within the specified time, filling the company 
to the maximum. 

A week spent in Camp Curtin did not materially increase the 
efficiency of the organization. 

The camp was regiilarly guarded by soldiers carrying guns but 
without ammunition. Dress parade was held each evening, the 
boys appearing in line without arms. Maybe some of them carried 
canes, which served instead of guns. 

It was military in its incipiency. 

In the organization of the 148th Regiment, the companies 
(which were designated by letters from A to K) took position in the 
line according to the rank of the Captains ; thus, B Company was as- 
signed the extreme left of the line, the second post of honor, and con- 
tinued to hold its place until the promotion of Capt. R. H. Forster 
of Company A in December, 1863, when it was transferred to the 
right of the line, and held that post until the close of the service. 

It must be remembered that the relater occupied his place in 
the line and continued to serve in the line the greater portion of his 
term of service and until ranking Captain on duty in the field in the 
First Division of the Second Corps, being in consequence placed in 
command of the Brigade on one occasion and retaining the command 
several days. Consequently his range of vision was necessarily con- 
fined mostly to incidents occurring in his o^vn command and those 
near by. 

The reader will also pardon me for entertaining a very exalted 
opinion of Company B. It was composed of noble and patriotic men. 
Many of them were my neighbors and neighbors' sons, inured to toil 
and hardships. Its ranks furnished the Regiment two Adjutants — 
Robert Lipton and Joseph W. Muffly — the latter subsequently Bri- 
gade Adjutant — one Sergeant Major, one First Lieutenant in the 



146 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

41st Regiment United States Colored Troops and one Second Lieu- 
tenant, 18t(h Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps, in addition to filling 
all vacancies of its own. 

But, whilst justly proud, as we think, of Company B, we are 
no less proud to have been associated with the other companies of the 
Regiment, compuscd of just as true and patriotic men, who never 
shirked nor flinched. 

Once fairly in the service, "the boys" (as we were called then), 
in the full flush of early manhood or verging on it, but now grown 
somewhat older and dignified as '^comrades," were full ftf fini. Xo 
aggregation of men enjoy amusement more than soldiers. It is really 
necessary, in order to prevent their brooding over former associations, 
not infrequently producing "homesickness" and ultimate rvhysical 
decline and premature death. Bereft of amusements, the finest body 
of soldiers in the world would soon become as phlegmatic as an ice 
berg. 

The boys soon caught the true idea and worked it for all that was 
in it. Company G, which trained immediately on the right of B in 
the line, was composed largely of young men — ^many of them in their 
teens — fresh from the sports of rural life and sch(~)ol and college, as 
tough as hickory and brave as tough. They seemed to be natural 
leaders and excelled most of the others in playing pranks. Let me 
illustrate by relating the following episode : 

While B was at Glencoe and G at Gunpowder some four miles 
south, we happened to be passing regimental headquarters at Cockeys- 
ville, when the Colonel called out, in his positive military style: 

"Captain, I had to pay Major J at Gunpowder for a couple of 

turkeys your boys stole," on a certain day, naming the date. We tried 
to extenuate but could not deny it, for it at once dccnrrod to u^ 
that we had given a pass on that date to a couple of the boys to visit 
the camp at Gunpowder. We replied, however, we would try to ascer- 
tain the facts and, if B boys were actually guilty, would make the 
amende honorable by paying for the birds. lie said, "There could be 
no doubt at all that Company B boys had taken the Major's birds." 
He described them fully as small of stature with the letter B on their 
caps. Tlie evidence, at first blush, did seem pretty conclusive. 



THE i^8TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 147 

On my return to camp 1 sent for the boys who had been given 
the pass and confronted them with the alleged charge. They stoutly 
denied and declared their innocence. I insisted the evidence 
seemed rather against them and, unless they could produce evidence 
to the contrary, their guilt was assured. After a little reflection 
they said, almost in unison : "Now we see through it," and proceeded 
to relate that while they were the guests of the boys at Gunpowder 
and enjoying their hospitality, a couple of G boys proposed to ex- 
change caps for a little while, to which they did not object ; and the 
G boys, while masquerading witli borrowed caps, had in some myster- 
ious way "run afoul" and captured the Major's turkeys. The story, 
as related, caused me to hesitate; besides the boys that were charged 
with the crime were large and stood near the right of the company 
when in line, while the Major described the poachers as smnll of 
stature. I concluded to let the case rest for the time. 

The next time I met the Colonel, I related the statement as 
I received it, and opening the descriptive book in the Adjutant's 
office, called his attention to the stature of the boys who had made 

the visit. In place of being small men, as Major described 

them, they were large and stood near the right of the company. The 
Colonel seemed puzzled, and as the la\vyers would say, plead surprise. 
I never heard anything more of the Major's turkeys, but it was 
currently rumored at the time — but I do not vouch for the correct- 
ness of the tradition now — that our Major, in command at Gunpow- 
der, presided at the banquet where the birds were &ei*ved. 

One pleasant afternoon, some time in September, a nicely dressed 
young man sauntered into camp and made himself very familiar 
with the boys. He inquired particularly in regard to the strength 
of the post, where the nearest re-enforcements were stationed, and 
how long it would take them to reach our camp, in case of an alarm. 
Ho even examined the guns and wished to know how many rounds of 
ammunition were on hand. Wlien he had secured the information 
desired and was about to retire, he said he was from Baltimore and 
had come out to visit an uncle who resided in the vicinity of our camp 
and whose acquaintance we had made during our short stay at 
Glencoe. 



148 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

When informed of the conduct of the young man, his inquisitive- 
ness in regard to tlie strength of the post and the nearest point to 
re-enforcements, the arms and the camp, even to the quantity of am- 
munition, his conduct appeared somewhat suspicious. It seemed as 
though he was gaining the information for the purpose of leading a 
guerrilla band to attack and capture the post and destroy the railroad 
that we were especially there to guard. We determined to ascertain 
whether the statements in regard to where he was from, where stop- 
ping, etc., were correct. A special detail of sufficient strength was 
given Lieutenant Jones, with instructions to go to the home he al- 
leged he was visiting and, if there, to arrest him and bring him into 
camp. Starting a little after nightfall, he proceeded quietly to the 
designated place and, under cover of the trees and shrubbery, sta- 
tioned a guard around the house, so as to prevent his escape, with 
orders to fire. He approached the house and found the young man 
sitting on the balcony between two interesting young ladies, enjoy- 
ing their company, the fresh air and the fragrance of flowers — alto- 
gether unconscious of the cordon that surrounded him. The Lieu- 
tenant, introducing himself rather abruptly and in a stentorian 
voice, addressed the young man as his prisoner. The girls becama 
alarmed and, peering out into the darkness, saw the gleam of the 
broad saber bayonets of the guards, which added to the intensity of 
their excitement. When the prisoner was taken from their home, 
they were wild with alarm for the safety of their friend and one of 
them, under the peculiar stress, fainted away. 

The young man — we do not now remember liis name — was 
brought into camp considerably frightened and nervous. After a 
rigid examination as to where he was from and what were his inten- 
tions in the survey of the camp and the information he solicited in 
regard to the strength of the post and the nearness of re-enforcements, 
the arms, etc., he declared it was simply idle curiosity on his part, 
without the remotest idea of carrying information to Confederate 
bands. He positively asserted his complete innocence and his uncle, 
whom we knew to be a true Union man, strictly verifying the young 
man's asseverations, he was released ; a little wiser, perhaps, than he 



THE 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 149 

was before, as we do not believe he would again enter a military camp 
under the same suspicious circumstances. 

Six months later, after the boys had gained a little more experi- 
ence, an intrusion of the same character woiTld have been promptly 
resented and the intruder marched to the g-uard house, without the 
information he sought. 

We never saw the young man afterward. The uncle frequently 
visited camp and enjoyed talking over the affair and the lucky escape- 
of his young friend. The ladies also freely forgave the Lieutenant 
for his unceremonious intrusion and were just as friei<dly afterward 
as they were before. Subsequently the boys assisted in husking com 
and were handsomely entertained and royally feasted in return, by 
the family. 

Our line extended north to the south end of the railroad bridge 
that spans the Gunpowder Creek just south of Monkton. The 140th 
Pennsylvania joined us on the north. 

Between nine and ten o'clock one dark, dismal night, some time 
in November a courier from the outpost, breathless from exhaustion, 
announced the railroad bridge at Monkton was on fire. He did not 
know the cause, but help was wanted immediately. The company 
was called out with as little delay as possible. Leaving a small guard, 
we proceeded at a double quick in the direction of the alarm. The 
darkness rendered the march along the track, for several miles, very 
tiresome. After proceeding some distance, we found the body of a 
man lying alongside the track, in an unconscious condition, but still 
alive. His general appearance resembled a tramp but what his real 
character might be we could not divine. A small detail carried him 
to camp, where he finally regained consciousness, but, being a for- 
eigner, could give no intelligent account of himself. Whether he had 
been stealing a ride on a freight and been thro^vn or fallen off, we 
never ascertained. 

As we hurried on in the darkness, all kinds of conjectures were 
entertained. Some imagined that hostile citizens had overpowered 
the guard and committed the incendiary act. Others assumed some 
guerrilla band had committed the vandal deed, destroyed the outpost 
and were in ambush to receive us with bloody hands. But the com- 



150 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

mand pressed on, every man ivith a firm grip on his Vincennes rifle 
and ready for any enurgency. Finally the glare of the burning bridge 
advised us that we were nearing the objective point. Rounding a 
short curve immediately south of the bridge, the burning structure 
was reached. 

Destruction seemed almost inevitable. Couriers were sent downi 
the track with lanterns to signal the Baltimore Express, which was 
almost due, of the peril ahead ; but, before the train could be stopped, 
it rushed around the curve and over the bridge at a high speed, knock- 
ing do^^Tl the ladders and other ap]>liances the boys were employing 
to reach the burning timbers overhead. Fortunately the structure 
withstood the pressure of the rushing train but the timbers were so 
badly injured they were immediately replaced by new. 

The fire, as we learned, was occasioned by sparks from a passing 
engine which the boys in their own nomenclature denominated an 
"Old Camel Back," on account of its peculiar appearance, resemb- 
ling the animal of that name. 

When the flames were extinguished, the company returned to 
camp. After that night, although no foe was encountered nor gun 
fired, we had no fear of the pluck of Company B. 

As time wore on, now and then a plea was put in to be sent to 
the front. They wished to see what they called active service. In 
other words, they were tired of doing guard duty and desired to be 
taken to the front. To all such appeals we replied that it was not in 
our power to select the kind of service desired, but we said, "Never 
mind, boys, you will get enough work in the front yet" — an assurance 
we think was literally fulfilled during the remainder of their term of 
enlistment ; at least we never had anyone to question our sagacity 
afterward in regard to it. 

After reaching tlio Armv of fhe Potomac and during the early 
spring of 1863, when the weather would permit, the Regiment was 
almost daily on regimental drill, i^o opportunity was unimproved 
in this respect. The bugle call to "fall in" began to sound worse than 
any other. Tn addition to battalion drill, certain hours were devoted 
to practicing "McClellan's Bayonet Exercise," a grotesque part of 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA FOLUNTEERS 151 

military science, which in actual warfare was far more ''honored in 
the breach than the observance." 

Allow me to relate the following; episode which occurred on one 
of those oc^'asions, which many of my readers will remember. One 
bright morning, about the first of May, the Regiment was formed for 
morning drill and marched to the usual field occupied for that pur- 
pose. The battalion exercise was lively for perhaps an hour and a 
half, when the Regiment was halted in line and "Parade Rest" 
ordered. While standing in this position, the Colonel directed com- 
pany commanders to take charge of their companies and practice 
"bayonet exercise" for an hour, and then (parenthetically, as we 
suppose) added, in a somewhat subdued tone of voice, that lie would 
return and re-form the Regiment and march back to camp. 

The order for drill was observed by all the companies. After 
the hour was fully up, Company B, which had failed to hear the latter 
part of the order, returned to camp, marching close by where some 
of the companies, having drilled their hour, were resting in the 
shade, but not one of them gave the least intimation that the com- 
panies were to await the Colonel's return. 

A few minutes later and after Company B was out of sight on 
its way to camp, as we were informed, the Colonel did return and 
ordered the Regiment to form. Observing Company B was tardy 
in taking its place on the left of the line, he rode up to the crest of 
the hill where he could see over the field, but B was not discernible. 
Returning to the Regiment that was in line, he called out impatiently, 
"Where is Company B ?" That was too much for the officers of the 
other companies and a broad smile ran over their countenances as they 
informed him Company B had returned to camp. 

Shortly after the Regiment had reached camp and T was com- 
fortably resting in my bunk, after the morning drill, all unconscious 
of having violated military discipline, there was a rap at the entrance 
to my quarters and, in response to my "Come in," the Adjutant pre- 
sented himself and said, "The Colonel has sent for your sword." Of 
course, T obeyed. A good soldier never asks any (piestioiis. But 
the Adjutant very gentlemanly informed us the cause consisted of 
the fact that we had left the drill field contrarv to orders, as we were 



152 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

to haA'e remained there in the hot sun, until the Colonel's retuni. T 
was stunned and began an inquiry among the boys as to whether they 
had heard the order that the companies were to remain on the field 
until he (the Colonel) returned. The answer was universally in the 
negative. Then I began to breathe somewhat more freely. 

The Regiment was under marching orders. During the after- 
noon another rap was heard at the entrance of my tent. I bade 
him come in and the veritable "Ike" (the Colonel's colored servant) 
presented his ebony face at the opening and said, "De Colonel wishes 
to see you at headquarters." Thither 1 repaired and, when con- 
fronted with the charge of '^ disobedience of orders" I pleaded inno- 
cence of the charge on the ground that 1 had not heard the order, 
neither had any member of the company, so far as I could ascer- 
tain ; that it was entirely foreig-n to my purpose to disobey orders and 
that I regretted the circumstance which made this explanation nec- 
essary. The Colonel very generously accepted the explanation and 
added, "1 will return your sword," which he accordingly did the 
same day. 

The occurrence, so far as I am aware, in no wise disturbed our 
personal or official relations during the remainder of the service. 1 
can scarcely determine, on a full survey of the occurrence, whether 
the joke was on the Colonel or Captain of Company B, or both. 

At Chancellorsville, on Sunday morning, the 3d of May, six 
companies were on the picket line, facing toward Fredericksburg. 
The firing was brisk and continuous and a number of casualties oc- 
curred. When it became necessary to establish a new and shorter 
line, a verbal order was received from Gen. W. S. Hancock, directing 
that the picket line should be withdrawn, but no indication was given 
as to the direction in which it should retire. It was evident there was 
trouble brewing. We determined to move toward the river. The line 
had evidently been withdrawn (m our right and the Confederates 
were coming in on our flank, rendering it rather unhealthy to re- 
main. Fortunately for us, we got out safely and rejoined the Regi- 
ment in the new line of hastily constructed works. Major Fairlamb 
was in command, Colonel Beaver having been seriously wounded. 
The Major was sitting quietly on a stump, with his legs crossed, im- 



THE 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 153 

mediately in rear of tlie line, apparently in deep tliong-lit. As we ap- 
proached, he roused np and inquired particularly as to how the boys 
on the picket line had fared. We gave him a brief account of the ex- 
perience we had on the line and our ventures in rejoining the Regi- 
ment. He then proceeded to tell of the terrible baptism of fire and 
blood the four companies in the line had passed through, himself 
being slightly wounded. 

The Confederates, having descried our new line, ran out a 
battery near the White House, and promptly opened fire, one of the 
missiles passing the Major so closely that the windage threw him to 
the ground. We supposed he was hit and badly injured. Before we 
could reach him, however, he jumped up and, looking defiantly in 
the direction of the battery, which was plainly visible, shaking his 
fist, exclaimed, "You can't do that again," and sat do^^^l on the same 
stump and resumed the conversation. He was as cool as though 
nothing had occurred. 

Some of the best blood of the Regiment moistened Virginia soil 
on that memorable occasion. 

Just one year and a day thereafter (May 4, 1864:) the relater 
with a large detail from the Regiment, was on picket on the identical 
line we had occupied on the 3d of May, 1863. The coincidence cre- 
ated considerable interest. As there was no hostile foe in our front, 
the boys took the opportunity to exploit the positions occupied on 
the former occasion. There was e"sddenc© of severe oonfiict by the 
number of gTaves which were plainly visible, especially on the 
ground occupied by the Confederates. On that part of the field a 
small leather wallet or pocketbook was picked up, which contained 
a bright gold dollar. As no evidence of ownership was discernible, 
the finder treasured it as a souvenir. 

At Po River, on the 9th of May, the 148th was leading the Bri- 
gade, and was the first to plunge in and cross the stream, a }X)rtion of 
the Regiment deploying as skirmishers, under cover of a thick wood, 
with orders to advance. The Confederates were posted on the crest 
of the hill beyond. As soon as the skirmish line emerged fi-om the 
wood, or brush, the Confederate batteries opened on the advancing 
line, with considerable effect, wounding a number of our boys. In 



154 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

this advance Private George W. Walker, of Company B, received a 
severe wound in the fleshy part of the right arm, severing an artery 
from which the blood, on certain movements of the arm, gushed out 
higher than his head. Lieutenant Harper, seeing his condition, called 
to him to go back to the rear or he would bleed to death, to which he^ 
very coolly replied, ''Lieutenant, just let me have one more 'whack' 
at those fellows," He deliberately loaded his gun and sent them 
another messenger before he retired. 

The march to Spotsylvania, on the night preceding the 12th of 
May, was extremely fatiguing. In addition to the extreme darkness, 
which rendered the march more difficult, the roads were blocked with 
artillery and the infantry were compelled to advance through fields 
on parallel lines. In many places deep ditches, on either side of 
where fences once stood, were encountered, and the boys stumbled and 
fell in passing over the obstructions. Private John T, Ammerman, 
of Company B, was afflicted with hemeralopia or "moon eye." He 
was a mere stripling of a youth and a gallant soldier, but at night 
was almost totally blind, but he scorned to remain behind. Aware 
of his condition, we called him to the right of the Company and, 
taking him by the arm, led him the greater part of the way, Not- 
withstanding the support we were able to afford him, he frequently 
fell full length and his gun would be submerged in the mud. Gath- 
ering himself up and rubbing the mire off his gun, he would again 
take his place in the column. Not a murmur escaped his lips. At 
three o'clock on the morning of the 12th, Avhen a halt was ordered 
and the 148th formed in double column closed en masse, Ammerman 
was in his place. Permission was given to lie down but not lose 
places nor unsling knapsacks. A few minutes later an order was 
passed along the lines, in a whisper, to "Uncap pieces." The move- 
ments that followed and the results accomplished we leave for the 
impartial pen of the historian. 

In the early morning, Lieutenant Colonel Fairlamb was severely 
wounded. The first line of Confederate works had just been carried 
and he was standing in an exposed position on the ramparts. We 
were informed by a comrade of Company H, who was near him at 
the time and assisted in placing a bandage around his wound, that 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 155 

he positively refused to go to the rear. Summoning his remaining 
strength, he made one supreme effort to go forward, and did, but 
weakening from loss of blood and the terrible shock to his system 
occasioned by the wound, his strength failed him and, when the line 
was compelled to retire for want of sufficient support, unable to es- 
cape, he fell into the hands of tlie Confederates. No braver officer 
drew sword during the War. 

Privates George W. Harris and R. Wesley Ammerman, of Com- 
pany B, each captured Confederate battle flags in the memorable 
assault in the morning, for which they were subsequently rewarded 
with ''medals of honor," authorized by Congress for valor on the 
field of battle. They were presented by General Meade in person. 

At the North Anna River, on the 24th of May, Company B was 
sent out to ascertain the strength and whereabouts of the enemy in 
our front. After advancing a considerable distance and finding none, 
Sergeant Constans Barger was given a detail of picked men, consist- 
ing of Privates James Hines, Jacob W. Sundy and several others, 
with instructions to follow a road which led through a wood, keeping 
a sharp lookout. After going a considerable distance and finding 
none, they became less cautious, when suddenly they encountered a 
Confederate outpost, which sent a volley into the party, a minie 
ball striking Sergeant Barger on the belt buckle, doubling him up 
and throwing him heavily to the ground, unconscious. His com- 
rades supposed he was killed, but a few minutes after he rallied from 
the concussion and resumed his place as usual. After a few volleys, 
the Confederates fled. The detail reported and the company ret)irned 
to the Regiment. O'n the 2fith we re-crossed the river at the same 
place we had crossed in the advance. 

While in the works at Cold Harbor, Maj. R. H. Forster was in 
command of the Regiment, Colonel Beaver being assigned to the Bri- 
gade. The lines being very close, the Confederates annoyed us by 
thro^ving mortar shells into our works. It made it very unpleasant, 
the missiles frequently bursting overhead and the fragments flying 
in all directions. On one occasion the Major had seated himself to 
partake of his evening meal, when a heavy fragment descended 
through his shelter tent, passing within a few inches of his head, 



156 ^ THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

overtiinied his table and buried itself in the ground, covering every- 
thing with dust. He had to retire supperless and complained of dam- 
age to his shelter tent. 

On the evening of the 13th, the Army reached the James River., 
From some cause the supplies which were to have come up the river 
on boats failed to materialize and the consequence was many of the 
boys had to lie down without supper. Tbe writer fared a little better, 
his cook having captured an old rooster that evidently saw the ligh'^ 
long before the War broke out. He had not been specially fattened 
for nuirket and was rather lean for table use, but Charlie, witli the 
skill of an expert chef, prepared him for supper, but, without salt 
pepper, butter or hardtack, the broth was rather thin and tasteless. 
However, after a tiresome march of about thirty miles, it was far 
better than none. The next morning Charlie proposed he would go 
down to the river and gather mussels for dinner. These bivalves 
somewhat resembled oysters, but the peculiarity about them was the 
longer they were boiled or fried, the tougher they became. They 
were about as palatable as old leather. We were generous with our 
rare menu and cordially invited comrades to partake of our hospi- 
tality. Thirty-six or forty-eight hours after the commissary depart- 
ment should have reached us, it pnt in an appearance, to the gratifica- 
tion of an army of hungry soldiers. 

A fierce and determined assault was made on the evening of the 
l6th of June on the Confederate line in front of Petersburg. The 
attack, which was well planned, should have been delivered in the 
morning, was postjwned until evening. By that time General Lee 
had discerned our intent and was prepared to meet us. The assault 
failed, for want of sufficient support. 

Colonel Beaver, connnanding the Brigade, prior to the advance 
had a wuisultation with the regimental comnuinders, as to the succes- 
sion in command of tbe Brigade in the event of an emergency requir- 
ing it. The result was most imfortunate. The loss was fearful. 
Colonel Beaver was himself severely wounded. We refer to this in- 
cident as an illustration of i'('ma.rk:d)le coolness and forethought on 
the part of the commander of the Brigade not often evinced on such 
occasions. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 157 

When the retreat was ordered, Color Sergeant William Ward, 
of Company H, was well in the advance. Finding" it impossible to 
escape with the colors, with great presence of mind, he bnried them 
in the sand, where they Avere fonnd and recovered the next day, he 
himself being captnred. The Sergeant carrying the regimental flag, 
succeeded in making his escape and brought in the colors a little later. 

At Jerusalem Plank Eoad, on the 22d, when flanked out of the 
position we occupied in the wood, Corporal Samuel R. Gettig, of 
Company A, was struck on his knapsack with a minie ball, which, 
knocking him down and passing through his wardrobe, penetrated 
his Bible which he had carefully stowed away in the knapsack and 
buried itself in its sacred pages. He still retains the book with the 
missile embedded therein and has unboundexl confidence in the Bible 
as a life preserver, here and hereafter. 

Private Frank Wolf, of Company A, also escaped death 
on July 3d at Gettysburg in a similar manner. A minie ball 
struck his knapsack, plowed through his wardrobe land passed almost 
through his Bible which lay nearest his person. The singularity of 
this incident was that the missile was strangely cut in strips, as 
shown by the manner the paper was cut, and penetrated nearly through 
the book and remained embedded therein. '.-/. -.: •. .-. .,s;:>. Ii 

In referring to my diary, under date of August 2d, I find the 
following : 

"Had regimental inspection and Brigade dress parade in the 
evening. Lieutenant Colonel Broady, commanding Brigade, compli- 
mented the 148th on being the hest regiment in the Brigade." 

At Ream's Station on the 25th of August, the enemy were again 
encountered in greatly superior numbers. A little after noon the 
Regiment was moved at a double quick to the left and formed line. 
Twenty minutes later it was ordered to return to the right at the 
same rapid rate, and took its place in the line it had vacated a half 
hour before. It was evident trouble was brewing. Picket firing was 
rapid. Confederate sharpshooters were picking off our officers and 
killing horses attached to our batteries. The 148th was ordered to 
deploy as skirmishers and ascertain the strength of the enemy in front 
The deployment was effected immediately in rear of our temporary 



158 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

works. The signal for the ladvance was a general volley along our 
line. Before the smoke had time to disappear, the boys leaped the 
works and advanced some distance when they encountered the enemy, 
concealed in the wood in strong force and evidently preparing for an 
aggressive movement on our line. Captain Sutton, of Company E, 
with a number of his boys, succeeded in reaching an old house and 
were doing deadly work from the defence which the building afforded. 
They were soon discovered, however, by the Confederates, when a 
rush was made upon the house, and the Captain and his gallant little 
party were compelled to beat a, hasty retreat to avoid capture. 

The Regiment scarcely had time to resume its place in the works 
when the enemy delivered a determined assault upon our line, which 
was handsomely repulsed. A second effort was made to dislodge us, 
with like result. Terrific artillery fire followed a third and supreme 
effort on their part in which they succeeded in entering our lines on 
the left of the 148th and captured a couple of guns that could not be 
gotten off and turned them upon us with terrible effect, enfilading our 
line for some distance. 

The 148th stuck to the works to the last. Their portion of the 
line up to this time was intact but the enfilading fire from the left 
finally rendered the works untenable. 

The fighting was severe, as the list of killed and wounded fully 
attests. On portions of the line it was hand-to-hand across the works 
Sergt Joseph Fox, of Company G (subsequently Lieutenant Fox)^ 
came out of the racket with seven bayonet! jwounds upon his person. 

The casualties of the campaign had fallen heavily upon the Regi- 
ment All the fielc^ officers were permanently disabled for active serv- 
ice. The command of the Regiment had devolved upon line officers 
from the 18th of June. 

Lieut. Col. George A. Fairlamb was the first victim, being se- 
verely wounded at Spotsylvania on the 12th of May. He was a brav* 
officer and a most genial companion. Maj. Robert H. Forster was 
a veteran of the Mexican War ancl a true soldier. He left us on the 
18th of June. Then followed Col. James A. Beaver, through whose 
instrunioiitality the Regiment had attained its acknowledged high 
standing in the service and whose removal from active service, by rea- 



THE 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 159 

son of severity of wound on tlie 25th of August, was greatly regTetted. 
He was a gallant and rising officer, with whom we were justly proud 
to have been associated and we are not ashamed to acknowledge after 
the lapse of years, that when we learned of his loss, tears coursed 
down our cheeks. 

On the 7th of September, 1864, an order was received, relieving 
Sergt. Major Joseph E. Hall, of Company I, to accept the position of 
Adjutant, with the rank of First Lieutenant, in the 183d Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

The gallant charge of Capt. Jerry Z. Brown, of Company K, 
with one hundred men of the 148th, on the 27th of October,is too well 
known to require reference. It is a part of the history of the War for 
the Union. We simply wish to refer to the heroic conduct and un- 
paralleled physical endurance of Private William H. Kellerman, of 
Company H. He was one of the charging party and entered the fort 
with his comrades. When the garrison surrendered, he was detailed 
to assist in taking the prisoners to headquarters and would have been 
justified in remaining there but he sought to rejoin his comrades, 
where he bad left them in the fort, unconscious that they had been 
compelled to retire into our own lines. Before he was aware of his 
surroundings, he found himself inside the Confederate videttes and, 
unable to escape, he stubbornly refused to surrender. For eight days 
he lay concealed in the bushes, subsisting on bark and roots, hoping, 
and longing for an opportunity to escape. Finally, on the evening of 
the eighth day, the favorable opportunity arrived. The Confederates 
being a little later than usual in advancing their videttes, taking ad- 
vantage of the darkness, he succeeded in crawling and rolling himself 
into our lines, his ears, nose, fingers and toes frost bitten, weak and 
exhausted from his terrible exposure, bringing with him his gim and 
all his equipments. 

I still retain in my possession an autograph letter of Gen. 
Nelson A. Miles, commanding the Division, asking for a brief his- 
tory of the soldier and his photograph, Which we cheerfully furnished. 
It was afterwards printed in Harper's Weekly, with a full page 
likeness. General Meade subsequently issued a special order, descant- 
ing on his heroic fortitude and granting him a thirty days' furlough. 



160 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Professor Bates, in his ''History of the Pennsylvania Vohin- 
teers," refers to this unprecedented instance of soldierly endurance 
in a foot not© in small type. If we had authority, we would em- 
blazon it in letters of gold, near the apex of the proposed monument 
to be erected to the memory of our fallen comrades, that his children 
and children's children might read it with pride, and the young men 
of Centre County, should their services ever be required in defence 
of the flag of stars, catch inspiration from this unparalleled instance 
of physical endurance. 

On the 30th of December, 1864, the following order was re- 
ceived : 

Headquaeters Second Army Corps. 

December 29, 1864. 

Special Order No. 332. 

Extract. 
******** 

In accordance with instructions from the Major General com- 
manding the x\rmy of the Potomac, Second Lieutenant Luther D. 
Kurtz, 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers, will relieve Lieut. W. A. 
Shoener, 116th Pennsylvania Volunteers as Commandant of the 
Guard and Acting Assistant Quartermaster at the Depot Field Hos- 
pital at City Point. 
* * * * ** * * 

By order of Major General Humphreys. 

Septimus Carncross. 
Assistant Adjutant General. 
Official : 

Samuel Everiiart, 

Lieutenant and Acting Adjutant 148th Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 

Tlip month of January, 186.5, was occupied in further strength- 
ening our lines in front of Petersburg. Frequent inspections were 
ordered and every effort employed to have the Army in fighting order 
in the early spring. On the I7th of January, Brigadier General Ram- 
sey, commanding Brigade, personally inspected the 148th, for the 
purpose of ascertaining wliothor tlio BoginuMit was up to the standard 
of military di^^ciplino, in order to insure the officers' leaves of absence, 
and enlisted men furloughs, in accordance with general orders from 
the War Department. Tlio Bogiment formed in line, open ranks. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 161 

The General passed down tlie line, taking in tlie general appearance 
of the command. Returning to the right, he took a gun here and 
there, looked it over and gave it the ordinary toss and awaited the 
jingle occasioned by the rebound of the ramrod. He seemed puzzled. 
The test was not entirely satisfactory. In order to relieve the situa- 
tion I quietly remarked that the Ordnance De]>artinent had noit is- 
sued ramrods with the breech loaders. He gave us no expression of 
approval, but we continued to get leaves of absence and furloughs 
approved all the same. 

An order was promulgated in the early winter, providing for a 
thirty-day furlough to one enlisted man at one time in each Brigade, 
conditioned on a competitive inspection as to soldierly appearance, 
and proficiency in the manual of arms ; said inspection to be held at 
brigade headquarters. It was free to all who desired to stand the ex- 
amination. On the appointed day a number of contestants presented 
themselves. Sergt. Simon P. Lansberry, of Company D, was the 
winner in the first contest in the Fourth Brigade. 

Just before starting on the campaigTi of 1865 an order was re- 
ceived, relieving Sergt. George M. Boal, of Company D, to accept the 
position of Quartermaster of the 83d Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, with the rank of First Lieutenant. 

At Sutherland's Station, on the 2d of April, the Regiment was 
deployed as skirmishers and ordered to advance. Captain Sutton, of 
E, commanded the right wing, and Captain Harper, of B, the left 
wing. Although exposed to a terrific fire, the line advanced rapidly 
and succeeded in flanking the Confederate works ; and, delivering a 
rapid fire from their breech loaders, nearly an entire brigade sur- 
rendered. Major Ulmer, of the 4th North Carolina, delivered his 
sword and pistol to Captain Harper. Captain Harper and Private 
Jacob W. Sunday, of Company B, were the first to enter the Confed- 
erate works and drive the enemy from their guns. General Miles 
commanding the Division issued a special order commending the 
gallantry of the 148th on the occasion. 

At the Grand Review on the 23d and 24th of May, in the city 
of Washington, at the close of the War, the 148th was at its best. 
Their soldierly bearing, steady step and correct aligTiment were equal 



162 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

to those of regulars at our training schools. As the eolunm was pass- 
ing the reviewing stand (tw^enty men front) and saluting, Gen. 
Winj6.eld S. Hancock, the ideal soldier, under whose immediate com- 
mand we had served the greater portion of our term, arose from his 
seat on the platform and, pointing to the moving column, was heard 
to say, "Tha,t is the Regiment that always could be depended on," a 
compliment well worth treasuring as the years go by. 

On the 30tli of May, the Second Corps w^as reviewed for the 
last time, near Alexandria, by President Johnson, Governors Fenton, 
of I^ew York, and Curtin, of Pennsylvania, and Generals Meade, 
Hancock and Humphreys. The scene was most imposing. On the 
hillside, in rear of the reviewing stand w^ere thousands of ladies and 
gentlemen who had driven out of the city to witness the grand 
pageant. No artist could have painted such a scene. The day was 
bright, the sky unclouded. Thousands of swords and bayonets glit- 
tered in the sunlight. The boys caught inspiration from the gay 
surroundings and, as they passed in review, their step seemed more 
elastic and each vied with his comrade to excel in soldierly bearing. 

After passing the stand a considerable distance, moving at quick 
step, the column w^heeled to the left and passed off the field. When 
the 148th reached the wheeling point and was adjusting itself to the 
new direction, and each company, at the command, swung around on 
a "double quick," the boys, from some innate spirit of mischief or sat,- 
isfaction at having done well on their last appearance on review, 
broke out in a regular "charging yell" — much to the discomfiture 
of the commanding officer. 1 was mortified but, before it could 
be arrested, the last company had made the w^heel and we were leav- 
ing the field. The situation was somewhat relieved by the vociferous 
manner in which the vast multitude on the hillside responded in tre- 
mendous outbursts of applause as each company wheeled and cheered, 
the ladies swinging their handkerchiefs and joining in the general 
jubilation which continued until we were mostly out of sight. 

We expected that our brigade commander. General Mulholland, 
who prided on the 148th, would reprimand us sharply for this breach 
of military discipline, but we never heard of it afterward. 



THE 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 163 

The Regiment broke camp, for the last time, on the 3d of June, 
1865, and left Washington for Harrisbnrg the same day, arriving 
at the latter city the following morning; breakfasted at the "Soldiers' 
Rest Refreshment Saloon," reported to General Henk;s and was or- 
dered to "Return Camp" (formerly "Camp Curtin"), where canvas 
was assigned us and rations were issued. 

The drum corps made a veiy favorable impression on the com- 
mander of the camp. He was so delighted with the music which they 
discoursed that he made a written request that it might be sent to his 
headquarters in the city, to which we readily assented (he furnishing 
transportation both ways). He entertained the members very hand- 
somely and thanked them beside for their excellent service upon tha 
occasion. 

Whilst in camp, Governor Curtin requested us to make recom- 
mendation for commissions to fill all vacancies in the several com- 
panies and regimental organizations which, under orders of the War 
Department, could not be mustered into the United States service on 
account of the companies and Regiment not being up to the minimum 
quota. In accordance with recommendations, commissions were is- 
sued and delivered as follows : Colonel, James F. Weaver ; Lieuten- 
ant Colonel, George A. Bayard ; Major, Silas J. Marlin ; Junius F. 
Crain, Captain Company I ; Frank W. Clark, First Lieutenant Com- 
pany I ; Thomas W. Douglass, Second Lieutenant Company I ; Thos. 
F. Taylor, Second Lieutenant Company B ; Ezra B. Walter, Second 
Lieutenant Company C ; John A. J, Fugate, Second Lieutenant Com- 
pany H. 

Before leaving Harrisburg, we called upon the commander of 
the camp to thank him for his kind treatment and courtesy while 
under his command. Turning to us, he replied with warmth : 

"Colonel, you have the best behaved regiment that has been in 
this return camp. Your men are as orderly and gentlemanly in camp 
as they were brave on the field of battle." 

We have always esteemed his remarks as a glowing compliment. 

And now, one word more and our story is ended. We wish to 
add in conclusion that we shall carry to our grave pleasant recollec- 



164 THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 

tioiis (if our ii.>^s(K'iati()ii with the oHicors and men of the 148th Regi- 
ment. 

I haA'e only related some of the minor incidents and episodes 
and jx'rsonal acts of heroism that will not come within the purview 
of the regimental historian. As I recount the hardships and trials 
through whicli wo passed (hiring those years of service for the main- 
tonance of the Union, 1 am glad to be able to refer to Uiem without 
any unkind feeling toward any member of the Regiment. Ana 
whatever of honor and glory is due for meritorious service, while I 
had the honor to command it, is largely due to the faithful and effi- 
cient corps of officers and the noble and patriotic men who carried the 
ffims. 



hfOLA 



THE i4SrH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 165 



DAVID II. SWYERS, ('(niPANY B, 14STI1 REGIMEXT 

pexx?;y lvanta V0LimTE:ERS. 

By his sister, Mrs. James McMullen 

At Po River, May 10, 1864, Corp. David II. Swyers, only a 
boy, but true to his calling, bravely bore the colors in the midst of the 
battle. First his cap was shot off, then his knapsack, then his can- 
teen, and his blouse was riddled to pieces, then a bullet penetrated 
his left breast and came out underneath his shoulder. From this 
wound he suffered very much and was sent to Philadelphia Hospital. 
Having recovered, he was again sent to the front, promoted to be 
First Lieutenant and was wounded a second time at the battle of 
Gravelly Run (White Oak Road). This time the bullet entered alx)ve 
the left knee, coming out at the thigh, making an ugly wound. From 
that time until his death he was a continual sufferer. 

The first wound bad splintered a piece of rib into the lung and 
a few weeks before his death he coughed it up after a period of twen- 
ty-five years. He was a member of Gregg Post, G. A. R., and died 
April 28, 1889. He was followed to his grave by over one hundred 
of his comrades and friends. 

"Wrapped in the flag he so nobly defended, 
J>aid to his rest by his comrades in blue ; 

His a devotion known only to heroes, 

His the reward of the brave and the true." 



THE SURGEOX'S STORY 



PART I. 

By A. T. Hamilton, Late Assistant Surgeon i^Sth Pennsylvania Volunteers 

My military service was preceded by an examination before the 
State Board of Medical Examiners. Upon the "merit" developed 
thereby depended my appointment and commission as Assistant Sur- 
geon with the rank of First Lientenant, by Governor A. G. Curtin, 
January 31, 1863. 

After having been mustered in at Harrisburg, February 4th, 1 
wended my way to Falmouth, Virginia, where I landed in mud, 
through which I waded to the camp of the 148th Regiment of Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers, located on a w^orn out farm grown up with pines, 
but cleared to make room for quarters of a regimental camp. 

Here I found the boys who marched through my own Lewis- 
t')wn the previous xViignist, having come over the Seven Mountains to 
reach the cars on the Pennsylvania Railroad. 

A new life opens ; the tented field ; the morning sick call ; the 
Lacy House and its environments where the battle of Fredericksburg 
was fought ; the frowning cannon in position to respond to any the 
enemy may open from Marye's Heights ; the rebel picket within hail- 
ing distance, and the frequent firing on the line necessitated the pres- 
ence of a medical officer with the ])icket detail. The experience with* 
one hundred of our men on picket duty at night when covered with 
blanket both of wool and snow while sleeping; the sick in quarters 
and hospital tent made a round of duty that kept me busy while in 
camp at Falmouth, to say nothing of camp discipline, fatigue duty, 
drill, dress parade or policing camp grounds. The impress of the 
Colonel's ever present eye by which all felt that we must do our best, 
kept up the busy routine of camp duty. 

The practical school of the soldier hung heavily on so many, 
odious for the time being, but in the activities of battle became a reve- 
lation. This rigid discipline made the 148th the gallant, brave and 
resourceful military body of which oacli and all were proud. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 167 

That the 14:8th was the best regiment came not from the verdict 
of its own members, but when measured by the highest military 
standards the meed of praise was accorded it without hesitancy. 
Twenty severe battles proved her valor. Her trophies attested her 
bravery. The intelligence of its rank, file and staff gave such thor- 
ough (conception of the teachings in the school of the soldier that when 
the hour of supreme duty came the gallant soldiers of the l-18th had a 
moral courage backed by discipline and reliance upon self and com- 
mander that made them almost invincible. 

A thousand men in camp, exposed to winter weather and the 
duties incident thereto, from the middle of December until the last 
of April, developed much sickness. N'otwithstanding a well policed 
camp ground and comfortable quarters, we labored under the great 
disadvantage of having drinking water polluted more or less by sur- 
face drainage into the springs. I quote from a letter of February 
17, 1863: 

"We have many sick in quarters and a dozen in hospital ; three 
deaths since 5th of February." 

Tn the light of later experience I believe it would have been eco- 
nomical had we been supplied, while in camp, with distilled water 
for drinking purposes. Typhoid fever prevailed to a large extent. 
Other forms of fever disabled our men to such an extent that the hos- 
pital tent was not large enough to accommodate the sick. Many mild 
crises were treated in quarters ; oases more severe went to regimental 
hospital; the more severe cases were sent to division hospitah Our 
Regiment was known thoughout the Second Corps for its large sick 
list and mortality in camp. The best medical skill availed little 
when the occult typhoid germ and other bacilli entered the human 
system and engendered every grade of enteric fever. 

Our men knew how to cook food. They knew how to obtain it, 
for was not the Irish Brigade commissary on the borders of our camp, 
to which the boys repaired for the necessary subsistence to make up 
"variety" lacking at our own ? 

At this late date I may be pardoned for telling tales out of 
school. So manv depredations were committed on the Emerald Bri- 
gade that complaint sent our Colonel among the mess tents 



168 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

to discover 'Svlio stole tlie bacon." On one occasion a barrel of flour 
was missing from tlie supplies of Erin. The Colonel went around 
and in a certain mess tent he stood on the "bunk" and told his tale 
of woe, and threatened the g-uard house, buck and gag, penal servi- 
tude or anything else necessar}' to stop thieving, if he found the gang 
that ''stole that flour." Those threats failed of the mark because the 
mess was so well heeled by the fact that the flour was securely hidden 
in a cavity pre^'iously prepared, under that hunk, sufficiently large to 
receive the barrel. Company G could not only have plenty of flour 
for fla|>jacks, but molasses was obtained at the rear of General 
Meagher's commissary thus: The guard in front of the commissary 
tent was engaged in argument with one or more of our boys while 
their comrades would raise the canvass in rear wall of tent, dip a 
board into the open end of a barrel of molasses and by turning the 
board while retreating to camp the thick synip was retained until let 
drip into a mess pan. Potatoes, sugar, coffee, bacon, etc., found 
their way into camp under similar circumstances. What the gay 
Irishmen lost in solid subsistence was made up in liquid refresh- 
ments. On other occasions, whole quarters of beef were abstracted 
and carried off, not only at Falmouth, but later on, with the precau- 
tion of changing the figures on the cap to indicate a neighboring regi- 
ment, so that in case the boys were pursued the cap would be dropped 
and the clue lead to an innocent camp. This was not stealing. It 
was borrowing from Uncle Sam who contracted to furnish the grub. 

The general health of the Regiment was good throughout the 
service, barring the effects from drinking water contaminated with 
animal, vegetable and mineral impurities. Given a distilled drinking- 
water, light weight magazine rifle of small caliber, light marching 
equipment, condensed ration and an intelligent soldiery who has thQ 
initiative of the American, future conflicts will be short, sharp, deci- 
sive and of lessened mortality from gunshot in front or the dreaded 
hospital of our rear. 

Our boys came from flic farm, the school, the workshop of the 
mechanic and artisan, ready for almost any duty. The large details 
made upon us for men skilled in the various avocations of life were 
evidenced by frequent calls from brigade, division and corps head- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 169 

quarters for skilled men. The day's march ended with preparation 
for comfortable night shelter. Temporary camps assumed the con- 
dition of permanency, so handy were our boys in keeping house. All 
these things lent aid to the surgeon in hedging against sickness in 
camp. 

'^Our Colonel makes its come out daily on dress parade, whereas 
there are no other surgeons who attend the daily dress parade. Our 
Kegiment was inspected today, also our hospital. Our hospital was 
pronounced by the insjDector the best in the Army." 

When we broke camp for Chancellorsville 1 took the sick to 
Potomac Creek Hospili^l in ambulances. Several died while there, 
thus escaping a terrible death by bullet and fire. 

Corroborative of Doctor Fisher's story of Chancellorsville, I 
quote letter, one of two hundred before me at this writing, bearing' 
inside date and outside post mark. 

"Chancellorsville consists of one brick house, about eight or ten 
miles west of Fredericksburg. Here Hooker made his headquarters, 
and all around it the fight ragdd fiercely until the rebels burned it 
down by bombarding it. Our batteries were numerously planted 
aroimd this house and we all thought that there was artillery enough 
to whip any force that would come against us. Doctor Fisher was 
detailed to stay in the brick house with wounded, and he remained 
until the house was pretty well battered down and nearly burned up. 
Several women were in also, and barely escaped, owing to their refuge 
in tbe cellar. I was sure he was captured or killed. Doctor Web- 
ster, Assisant Surgeon of Regulars, was also detailed to stay and was 
captured but was soon released. The surgeons have a poor dianc© to 
do the wounded justice when we do not hold the field." 

An incident of the battle came under my notice. O'ne of our 
batteries engaged in the front of the brick house lost all its men. Dur- 
ing a lull in the battle some of the Irish Brigade hauled the guns off. 
The papers were full of the gallantry of the men who rescued the 
guns, while the situation was such that anybody could have done the 
same mthout risk, or fighting to get the chance to haul them off. 

The fierceness of this battle is described by one of a detail sent 
under flag of truce to search for some bodies. The underbrush, limbs 
of trees, even large oaks as thick as a man's body, were cut off like 
pipe stems. It seemed as plowed ground from the shells, and the 



170 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

closely bullet trimmed trees, impossible for the soldier to escape 
death, to say nothing of the fire burned bodies of the wounded. 

Early in June we left Falmouth to intercept Lee in his raid into 
Pennsylvania. The march was severe on the men, many fell out to 
be picked up by ambulances, many died. We approached Thorough- 
fare Gap, passed the Bull Run battle fields where the half buried 
bodies were noticeable. An occasional skull protruded from a small 
heap of earth indicating the burial place of friend and foe, the for- 
mer was laid with head any other way than south, the latter always 
south. Passed through Haymarket where there is little else to mark 
this place but large chimneys characteristic of southern arohitecturo 
showing that at ene time a house stood between each pair. 

A weary march through rain, mud and worse than Egyptian 
darkness brought us to Thoroughfare Gap, and most of us went sup- 
perless to bed; I made m\' bed on the ground with the indispensable 
gum blanket laid on a short growth of clover, our shelter tent next, 
a blanket next, ourselves next and a woolen blanket over two of us, 
and above us a cloudy curtain threatening rain. The darkness and 
scarcity of wood excluded the luxury of tents while the weary soldier 
dropped down regardless of all else but rest and sleep. 

On the 28th of June, after tiresome marching all day and much 
of the night the two days previous, so sleepy as to be scarcely able to 
remain in the saddle, we reached a point two miles from Frederick, 
Maryland. The land here is very good and the country beautiful for 
miles around. Wheat is being cut, hay made and all the crops good 
and abundant. The residences are fine and altogether it looks very 
much like home. The desolation of war has blighted Virginia and 
the diiference is very marked between Virginia and Maryland. We 
expect a heavy battle at South Mountain, Antietam or some other 
point near there. 

Left Frederick on the 29th ; marched to Uniontown, a distance 
of thirty-two miles. Our Corps marched tliis great distance in one 
day whereas it is usual for a corps to march only ten or fifteen miles 
a day. The rescue of Pennsylvania required us to move ourselvas 
and all that belonged to us. The marching went hard with the boys. 
A great many straggled and did not catch up until the next day. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 171 

Upon the whole the men stood the march welL The people along the 
road sold and a^ave away all the eatables they had and seemed glad 
to see us pass and were surprised at our coming. The roads were in 
very good condition, neither muddy nor dusty, still it was sultry and 
drizzled rain most of the day. 

Thirtieth June: Camped at Union town ; Fifth Corps passed, 
also Pennsylvania Reserves. Hancock complimented us for the long, 
march. As usual we were mustered on this date, being the end of 
two months on which muster for pay is made. 

July 1st: Left this morning and by slow and continuous 
marching camped tliree miles from Gettysburg, after dark, threw up 
breastworks and lay behind them until morning. Did not get any 
sleep. When near Gettysburg we met the body of General Reynolds 
being taken to the rear in an ambulance. Was glad when we trod 
the sacred soil of our own native state. 

Details of the approach to Gettysburg are given to throw light 
upon the worn out condition of our men from long marches, loss of 
sleep, lack of rations, which were largely consumed from issue made 
before starting; absence of supply trains far in the rear ; no commis- 
sary to fall back upon except the haversack ; will give the civilian an 
idea how far spent the physical man was when we went into the fight 
and kept it up three days. 

Our men slept under the cannon's mouth while supporting the 
batteries on the left center so much exhausted were they. The strife 
of the 2d and 3d of July left them without physical ability to pur- 
sue Lee, hence the clamor of those who scented the battle afar off had 
no gi'ounds for faulting Meade for permitting the escajDe of the enemy 
jvouthward. 

July 2d, our Army— the First, Second, Third, Fifth, Sixth^ 
Eleventh and Twelfth Corps, took position on the south of Gettys- 
burg. Skirmishing commenced in the forenoon and grew brisker 
until a general engagement was brought on at four-thirty o'clock and 
continued until after dark. The gallant D. E. Sickels took his Third 
Corps into action in fine style. He led the veterans of m.any battles 
ddvrti the hill we commanded, crossed the little stream and ascended 
the slope commanded by Lee. The sunlight reflected from th-'^iisands 



172 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

of highly polished bayonets and ruisket barrels. The ''broad strijie-i 
and bright stars" floated gayly in the breeze — altogether the scene 
was grand as the line of battle advanced to the deadly conflic!:. The 
column advanced to the attack and thus was brought on the severe 
struggle of the 2d of July. The battle is terrible. The cannon-admg 
regular and continuous, the rebs getting on our right and left flanks 
but held none of our ground any length of time. The 148th stooH 
well and lost 128 men out of 468 present for duty. 

I established my temporary hospital at the house of Jacob Hum- 
melbough. The family had just left a partially eaten meal on tlie 
table. A half barrel of flour wae in the attic. With our supplies 
packed many miles in the rear and six days' rations issued when we 
started for Gettysburg exhausted, the flour tided us over in the "slap- 
jacks'" made by Davy Mellhattan and other attendants. The liouce 
was soon filled with wounded, chiefly from the Third Corps, of those 
too severely wounded to be taken further. 

July 3d, at 4 :30 a. m., the pickets opened the battle which be- 
came general along the whole line. The firing lulled in the center, 
where our Brigade supported some batteries. At eleven-thirty o'clock 
the battle again commenced and the greatest artillery duel of the War 
was continued until six o'clock. The battle raged fiercely all the time 
and the conflict was terrific on both sides. From wounded prisoners 
who came in I learned that Lee told his men on his march northward, 
they would have militia only to contend with and that our {wsitiou 
was held by militia. The desperate charge by the forlorn hoj>e was 
met by Stannard's men who heroically withstood the great charge in 
their initial engagement. The culminating charge was anticipated 
by re-enforcements twelve lines of battle deep, reaching back to my 
h(is])ital so that, had the front been broken by Pickett, column after 
column together with hundreds of cannon were ready to receive the 
whole rebel army at that point. 

The wounded were carried in during the night of the 3d in such 
numbers that they filled the barn floor and o]x^n space surrounding 
it. Olio poor follow who was badly wounded seemed to be in the 
way of those moving among the wounded and, pained by being 
knocked about, got into the liop^-yer of an old wind mill after dark, 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 175 

hoping to be undisturbed. A shell struck him and tore liini to pieces 
as he hiy coiled in tlie hopper. Strange to say I saw tlie same old mill 
many years afterward at the same barn, having been patched up and 
used. 

During the fight I saw Colonel Cross of the 5th New Hampshire, 
a little in the rear of the line of works at the time of his first wound — 
the twelfth battle wound — a white bandage tied around his top-head. 
I thought of the occasion when he struck Duffy, of Company G, with 
his sword while on the march to Unionto^^^l. 

I was the only medical officer at the left center front during the 
2d and 3d of July until night of the latter day. The wounded re- 
ceived all the care my attendants could give. 

The following will throw some light on the rebel theory of Penn- 
sylvania's defense: 

I attended General Barksdale of Mississippi. He was shot 
through the left breast from behind, and the left leg Avas broken by 
two missiles. He was brought by some staff orderly to my temporary 
hospital. I gave him what I had to relieve him. He asked several 
times whether I considered his wound necessarily mortal. T told him I 
did. He desired peace, but only upon terms that would recognize the^ 
Confederacy. He was large, corpulent, refined in a])])('aran(*e, bald, 
and his general physical and mental make up indicated firm- 
ness, endurance, vigor, quick ]Terce]>tion and ability to succeed 
whether as politician, civilian or warrior. He told me he was a 
member of Congress under Pierce and Buehauau. He asked about 
our strength and was answered that heavy re-enforcemeuts were com- 
ing. Said he, "Militiamen under MoClellan ?" He said that Le-^ 
would show us a trick before morning; that before we knew it Ewell 
would be thundering in our rear. He was dressed in the jeans of 
their choice. His short roundabout was trimmed on the sleeves with 
gold braid. The Mississippi button, with a star in the center, 
closed it. The collar had rlirec stars on each side next the chin. Xext 
bis body was a fine linen or cotton shirt which was closed by three 
studs bearing Masonic emblems. His ])ants had two stripes of gold 
braid, half an iuch broad, doiwn eacli leg. Thus conditioned the poli- 
tician and warrior was laid on the sacred soil of Pennsvlvania to 



174 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

breathe his last. He was a Brigadier in McLaws' Division, Long- 
street's Corps. 

This account of General Barksdale was published July 13, 1863, 
with the above minuteness so that his friends would be assured of hi? 
identity; and further to indicate that Lee's theory of attack was re- 
vealed by one high in military councils. 

The marching and counter-marching, after we crossed the Poto- 
mac, over the battlefields about Centerville would fill a volume itself. 
Line after line of battle was formed, fortified and abandoned. The 
retreat from Auburn Hill, covered so masterly by General Warren 
with our Brigade covering the extreme rear, was full of night 
marches and thrilling incidents, one of which remains impressed viv- 
idly, by the fact that for quite a distance the Johnnies moved along- 
side of us with the railroad track only between us. So dark was the 
night that neither of us knew whether friend or foe was at the other 
end of the cross-tie in our race to reach the heights of Centerville. 

In the chess playing for a third Bull Run the rebels were check- 
mated in their effort to secure the prestige of former victories at that 
point. 

Meanwhile the medical department was without teinporary or 
field hospital and little could be done in regimental camps. 

Mine Run followed in November with a few casualties treated 
temporarily in Division Hospital at the front, after which we lapsed 
into winter quarters at Stevensburg, Virginia, where recruits wero 
added to our Regiment, thus entailing increased duty at sick call, in 
quarters and hospital, by those who joined the Army for the bounty 
and expectation of reaching civil life through a surgeon's certificate 
by persistent shamming. 

March 26, 1864, 740 officers and men present for duty and daily 
we are receiving recruits, while there are over two hundred absent 
from various causes. The surgeon absent on leave for twenty days I 
will have all these to attend myself. Doctor Fisher's resignation in 
June, 1863, was not filled by the Govenior until May, 1864, by the 
appointment of Dr. J. W. Allen. 

After busy preparation during winter of 1863 the coming cam- 
paign opened on evening of May 2, 1864, when wo broke camp and 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 175 

moved to Ely's Ford and crossed about sunrise. Our Brigade led 
t]ie advance and our Regiment the second to cross on canvas pon- 
toons. (Bridges are thrown across strea-ms down here in a wink and 
the Army move on without much delay. When a stream is too wide 
for one length of timber the ]5ontoons are ordered up and float 
quickly and soon after throb with the steady tread of heroes. ) 

We reached the old Chancellorsville battle field just one year 
exactly after our hard fight of May 3, 1863. Our men were throwii 
into line of battle innnediatelv in also the same battle lines we held 
during tlie battle. Pickets were sent out and some of them posted on 
the identical spots they held two days while fighting continued. What 
a singular coincidence that the same man should be posted on the same 
spot that for two days they held tenaciously in spite of repeated as- 
saults. 

On May 5th, at three o'clock the battle of the Wilderness opened 
on our right and was fought out on that line until we reached Peters- 
burg. The battles^ — Wilderness, Po River and Spotsylvania — were a 
continuous eight-day fight. [Fourteen days. — Editor.] Our Di- 
vision Hospital was full of wounded. As fast as wounded were cared 
for and fit to stand transportation they were taken to the rear in. 
ambulances and army wagons, on the way to northern hospitals. 
Many died on the way. At one of our field hospitals near Po River I 
was detailed to remain for capture with the wounded. Many severe 
surgical cases and scores of rebel wounded were with me, but by dint 
of energy and good fortune I managed to get transportation for our 
own and escaped transportation (?) to rebel prisons. 

Of the battle of Spotsylvania Court House much has been writ- 
ten, hence what I may say seems superfluous. Such heaps of rebel 
dead who fell behind their own deep trenches T think never were seen 
elsewliere to exceed those of Spotsylvania. The deadly firing of that 
awful night was never equaled. That silent midnight march and 
daylight charge never had its counterpart and the successful issue is 
emblazoned high on the tablets of military heroism. 

[ leave the story to others who doubtless will enlarge the theme. 
The historian is chiefly a compiler, but the story of the soldier, 
whether of the staff or line, when written on the spot of occurrence, 



176 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

has the merit of authenticity from his standpoi)it. Sohlicrs' stories 
may differ, but that difference is owing- to the viewpoint. It was not 
possible for each to see everytliing, i^or in tlie same aspect, nor was it 
possible for each to be impressed with a fact the same as the other eye 
witness. 

June 1, 1864, camp near Richmond. The lines are o'radually 
nearing the rebel Army. Every forward step is contested south of 
the Pamunkey. Every advance is entrenched. Xo -in ner is a ['uw 
advanced than it is immediately protected by breastworks. Orders 
have been issued that plundering will be punished by shooting the 
thief in the act of stealing. This so tlrat our men keep in the ranks 
and maintain the reputation of the Second Corps for discipline. 
However, our boys once had a reputation for stealing. It cropped out 
at the time General Hancock detailed a squad from our Regiment to 
guard his headquarters. Dinner was on the General's table. Some 
important matter detained him. Our boys were hungry and that 
hunger intensified by savory odors from the me-s tent, they ate the 
General's dinner. He blustered around and declared in his mild way 
if he could put the 148th before Richmond the boys of that Regiment 
could steal it. 

The ISlinth Corps laid waste everything they could. Where our 
Division goes, a guard is placed over the dwellings and eatables are 
purchased for our men, but notwithstanding this, our boys get some 
plunder in the shape of chickens, pigs, etc. I remember on one occa- 
sion while marching past a full tobacco barn General Brooke rode 
along and gave the order personally, "Don't let me see you take any 
of that tobacco." The boys obeyed to the letter, for when the General 
was out of sight the tobacco speedily disappeared. General Miles 
when near the Taliaferro home, likewise ordered a comrade who was 
wheeling a spinning wheel to camp: 

"Xow, don't let me see you at anything like that." 

"I will not. General. T will just wait imtil you turn your back." 

June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor. Our Division lost severely. Liei'- 

tenant Lander killed — one of the best officers we had. The rebel 

works are not forty yards distant and getting closer. The rebel flag 

opposite our RcQ-iment was shot down very often. Our boys charged 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS U7 

so closely that they could neither advance nor retreat. Spoons, forks, 
knives, tin plates and similar ntensils were used to dig- dirt and keep 
it up in order to hold the line. It was held stubbornly and with great 
loss. Cold Harbor is one of the placeis warmest in the memory of the 
boys who participated. 

June 6, 1864. Of tihe wounded some are brought in who 
have been between the lines for days and only got away by crawling 
out the best they could. Colonel McKeen of the 81st Pennsylvania 
was killed between the skirmish lines and lay two days before hi^; 
body was brought off, and then it was secured at the sacrifice of two 
lives and one wounded who attempted at night to get the body. An- 
other eifort was made by four men who dragged him out by the feet. 
This is a sample of the manner in which bodies are recovered frontJ 
the extreme front. 

I was on duty at the field hospital when Colonel McKeen's body 
was brought in. I there witnessed a most pathetic sight. A Chap- 
lain in black, with rosary dangling from his neck approached a 
speechless dying boy. The sight of the rosary brought tears to his 
eyes and tremor through his body, owing to the recognition through 
sight alone, of his spiritual minister who was a Roman priest. The 
complete submission and religious delight manifested there brings 
tears when memory recalls th.e incident. What a hold the Catliolic 
religion has upon its votaries when death is lightened by exhibition 
of its symbols and heaven opened to one who has vision only to bear 
his spirit to eternity. ISTot my faith, but a faith to bg admired. 

June 21, 22, 1861. Our attenuated line extended to the left and 
was not entire. We moved from the fortified camp to the Weldon 
Railroad and along it. At one time Lieutenant Harpster of G, thei)| 
on ambulance duty, and I went among the small pines beyond our 
front and mingled with the Johnnies. Ilarpster had on a gray woolen 
shirt and bore no insignia of rank. He was considered by the rebs 
as one of their kind and thus escaped. Captain Edmunds fell shot 
through the heart while on that weak line. His Bible found on him 
was sent to his wife. Captain Bayard was captured. 

On July 25, 1864, I was detailed with the 53d Pennsylvania, 
as it had no medical officer. Our Regiment was decimated to such 



178 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

an extent that one surgeon was sufficient. We made a trin to the 
extreme right and were engaged at Jones Neck July 28th, where was 
fought the battle of Strawberry Plains. 

August 14th the Second and Tenth Corps made a feint on the 
rebel left where the 14Sth lost six killed and twenty wounded at Deep 
Bottom in our eifort to divert the enemy from the mine explosion in 
front of Petersburg. 

August 22d moved south along the Weldon Railroad, tore up the 
rails and ties, burned them. After doing much damage fell back to 
Ream's Station, where the biggest little battle of the War was fought, 
resulting in a loss of 1,500 prisoners, many lives and defeat. 

The railroad cut and embankment served as our line of defense 
in part as well as being an element of weakness. Some raw recruits 
lately assigned to our Brigade sought shelter in the deep cut thu^ 
breaking the continuity of our line, leaving a gap on top of the bank. 
The rebs got through and by a plunging fire demoralized the green 
soldiers and turned the flank of our veterans who were heavily pressed 
in front. Here the lamented David G. Ralston, First Lieutenant of 
Company C, was killed — a soldier every inch and a gentleman. Jo- 
seph Pox, First Lieutenant, of Company G, stubbornly fought hand 
to hand the attacking party until he received seven bayonet wounds 
in the face and neck. This brave duty soldier survived the score of 
battles in which his company participated to meet death in civil life 
at Bellefonte on a railroad track. Our Colonel, after convalescing 
fvdin former severe wounds came u])on this battlefield and, while 
walking to the front, buckling on his sword, was wounded so badly 
as to necessitate amputation of the thigh. 

Had the Ninth Corps gotten out of its snail's gallop, the result 
would have been a Union victory. 

September 25, 1864, moved into Fort Stedman where the 
enemy's line was about thirty yards distant. Here our Jerry Brown 
won his brevet Majority for capturing the rebel fort opposite. 

October 7th our Regiment, being considered one of the best in 
Second Corps, was honored by issue of the Spencer repeating rifle or 
seven -shooter. Only three regiments in our Corps got them. It is 
intended for skirmishers and ours being notoriously good at this kind 



THE J48TH PENNSYLVANIA FOLUNTEERS 1 79 

of fighting, as well as every other kind, were given a rifle commen- 
surate with their skill and bravery. Of this gnin the Johnnies asked 
our pickets, '"What kind of a gun have you Yanks got that loads once 
and shoots all day." 

October 26, 1864. The lines are changing. Having been ill with 
fever, I am not able to go to the extreme left, hence I was taken to 
City Point Hospital and remained quite ill until December 16, when 
I returned to the Regiment at Fort Cummings. 

February 16, 1865, was detailed for duty at City Point and was 
assigned to a division of the Second Corps Hospital where I remained 
until April 6th. City Point Depot Field Hospital consisted of stock- 
ade and hospital tents. Hospital wards consisted of three hospital 
tents placed together and communicating. A section consisted of four 
wards. A division of four sections. A division contained four hun- 
dred beds, about seventy-five of which were occupied by nurses and 
attendants. I had charge of a division and in addition prescribed for 
a section of five stockades containing one hundred bed's. Up to April 
1st I have not lost one patient by death. 

April 6th I v/as detailed to assist in establisbing a Sub-Depot 
Field Hospital at Burkesville Junction, sixty-two miles from City 
Point, with capacity for ten thousand patients, where w^e treated sick 
and wounded who fell in the rush to Appomattox. This hospital di^, 
not assume the proportions set forth in the order establishing it. 
While here many disabled soldiers were handled. Train loads were 
forwarded to City Point. Here the survival of the fittest was in 
evidence when eight thousand stalwart rebel prisoners passed under 
guard of a few soldiers. Custis Lee, Generals Corse, Ewell and many 
other general officers were grouped as prisoners of war — sullen, quiet, 
defiantly submissive in their defeat. 

The private soldier does the hard labor in trenches, march and 
battlefield; suffers from wounds and disease; lays down life; to him 
is due our victories. I^o one knows so well as he how the soldier 
labored on this campaigTi, but so long as the move is toward the heart 
of the rebellion he is cheerful under fire, in hospital or when dying 
on the stretcher. 

These several "stories" are written. How sad the fact that so 



180 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

few who were participants will |>eruse them. So few to corroborate 
or deny them. Onr children and theirs may revel in the pleasure 
recited, and sorrow at the hardships, priviations, perils, wounds, sick- 
ness and death suffered by their forbears. Like the stories of the 
Ixevolution, metlhinks they will be read through all time and excite 
wonder at the valor of the American soldier who foua^ht as such, re- 
gardless of the cause he espoused. 

1 n the preparation of my story I availed myself of two hundred 
letters written home, all of which have been carefully preserved. 
Occasional quotation marks occur but they are hardly necessary as 
the story is virtually a description of occurrences transferred from 
those letters in the language written on the spot. A few digressions 
from tlie original text may be easily discerned by the casual reader. 



J 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 181 

THE SUHGEON'S STORY. 
PART II. 

By Dr. C. P. W. Fisher, Assistant Surgeon 148th Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. 



Our Regiment, as part of the Second Corps, Army of Potomac, 
fonnd itself on the morning of the 2d of May in line a short distance 
in front and to the left of the Chancellor House, facing toward 
Fredericksburg. It had occupied a very advantageous position the 
day before, from which it had retired very reluctantly and, after 
occupying an untenable position for a part of the night, reached its 
final line about three o'clock in the morning. This line was strength- 
ened by various defensive devices. 

During tlie forenoon a rebel battery, or at least a portion of one, 
suddenly made its appearance on the face of the ridge to our left 
front, not more than half a mile away. I remember the thrill of 
terror which came over me, as I looked over the field closei by and 
saw it covered with a mass of boys in blue, fearing the result, if tlie 
battery was allowed to open upon them, but my fears were soon 
allayed. One of our artillerymen in the neighborhood sighted his 
piece and fired and, before the enemy's battery could unlimber, the 
air fairly rang with the cheers from our boys as they saw a caisson 
explode as the result of the well aimed shot. A second shot exploded 
a second caisson and the battery, from which I feared so much, left 
unceremoniously, without firing a shot. The cries of tlie wounded 
and burned rebs could be distinctly heard and I was told that some 
of our boys ventured over and brought into our line one of the poor 
fellows who had been terribly burned by the explosion. 

The large brick building, known as the Chancellor House, was 
General Hooker's headquarters. About four o'clock in the afternoon 
T strolled up in that direction to see what was going on and saw Gen- 
eral Hooker, with a large number of other general officers, with their 
staffs, on the porch facing the woods or heights , opjxvsite. An oc- 
casional bullet from a sharpshooter in front would strike the house 



182 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

but fortunately no one was hit. One of these bullets struck a brick 
by the side of Dr. U. Q. Davis, our Chief Surgeon. 

About this time I saw a line of battle forming a few hundred 
yards in front of the house. My brother Frank (Gen. B. F. Fisher) 
was at that time Chief Signal Officer of the Army of the Potomac, 
and I was told by him that this line, under the command of General 
Geary, intended to make a charge into the woods and drive "tut or 
capture the rebs who were in our front. Having never seen a charge, 
I thought I would accompany the line of battle, although it was not 
in our Corps. We went in with a rush and a yell but the Johnnies 
were ready for us and our lines didn't stay long. We came back 
quicker than we went in — at least those who were unhurt. About the 
time the bullets began to fly thick about me, I became forcibly im- 
pressed that I was not in my proper place and that, if I were hurt, I 
would g^t no sympathy, as my place was with my own Regifnent. 
That thought hastened my steps but my surprise cannot be imagined, 
when I got out of the woods, to see the whole line of our troops right 
up with me. 

I went again to headquarters and was watching the reforming 
of General Geary's line, when an Aide rode up to a group of offioers 
about General Slocum and said that General Geary wished permis- 
sion to have the artillery shell the woods. I heard General Slocum 
say: 

"Tell Geneiral Geary to please wait a little, we have another ob- 
ject in view." 

It was just at this moment that an entirely unexi^eoted occur- 
rence took place and one which changed the entire program. A tre- 
mendous yell came from our right front. There was no break in ii 
but one conlinual roar. Then there was wild hurrying and confusion 
amongst our offioers. My brother told me that General Jackson hfid 
charged in on our right and was driving in the Eleventh Corps. The 
yell was now accompanied with an incessant roar of musketi'v and 
soon the artillery joined in it, but, over it all, could be heard the ter- 
lible yell of the twenty thousand rebels who were forcing back and 
endangering the entire right wing of our Army. Everything was at 
once turned in the direction of meeting this unexpected attack and it 



THE uSTH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 183 

was only by the most urgent haste and the use of all the troops at 
command that the progress of tlie enemy was stopped and their reach- 
ing the road to the river prevented. 

Wishing to see and know all about the lighting, 1 walked down 
the road toward the place where the struggle was going on and, whilst 
on my way, saw two captured rebel regiments with their flags still 
flying. I could not understand it at the time but was told afterwards 
that they, in mistake, marched right into our lines in the woods in 
column and that our officeirs, seeing them come, ordered our troops 
not to fire but to lie down on the ground, until they advanced suffi- 
ciently far, so that they were entirely surrounded. Then one of our 
Colonels rode up to their commanding officer and told him he had 
t-eitter surrcinder, as they were entirely within our power. Seeing 
tihis to be the case, the officer handed over his sword with the sur- 
render of his command. 

I did not go far until I met with such a mass of men coming 
back that I was carried back with them. When I returned to the 
Regiment, Colonel Beaver came to meet me and inquired what was 
the matter. I well remember the replv I made to him and also his 
reply to me. I told him that the rebel General Jackson had charged 
on the Eleventh Corps and had completely beaten it and that on the 
morrow this Army would be completely whipped. I did not stop to 
consider that I was speaking in the hearing of our men who had 
never yet been under fire. The Colonel immediately stfaiglitened 
himself up and said: 

"Doctor, this Army whipped. The Army of the Potomac can- 
not be whipped." 

The remark perhaps was injudicious as to time and place, but 
history shows that my prediction was correct. In addition to what 
I had seen, I was impressed by the boastful character of the order 
which General Hooker had issued to the Anny, but I had been told 
by one who heard it that the remark afterwards attributed to General 
Hooker — that he had the rebel Army where he wanted them and 
that God Almighty himself could not keep him out of Richmond — 
was actually made. This, more than what I saw, caused my depres- 
sion and led to the remark which I made. 



184 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Evening ushered in one of the grandest sights I have ever seen. 
The skv was perfectly clear, the moon at about its full, when the 
artillery on our side opened upon Jackson's troops, driving them 
out of the persimmon bottom where, after driving out our troops, 
they had bivouacked for the night. The roar of our artillery and the 
answer to it by that of the enemy was teiTific, although the casualties 
on our side were few. After the artillery had ceased, I lay down 
upon the ground at the foot of a tree with nothing to cover me. I 
awakened during the night in a severe chill but got up and crawled 
under the blankets between two of our boys where I soon got warmed, 
I was soon after, however, taken with a severe pain or stitch in my 
side, and, on getting up, it was with the greatest difficulty that I 
could straighten my body. I sjwke to the Colonel about it, who re- 
marked that it was a bad time for me to get a pain and I felt it so too, 
as the rebels were then commencing to throw their shells among our 
companies and spoiling the boys' breakfast. This was Sunday morn- 
ing. May the 3d, but to my great joy I foimd that as soon as the sun 
came up and I got warmed thoroughly all my pain left me as if by 
magic. 

It was just a fe^v minutes after sun-up when some of the mem- 
bers of Company D carried Charlie Speaker, of their company, who 
had been, as they and I supposed at the time, badly wounded by a 
shell which had just passed over his back, he having been lying in the 
trenches. 1 looked out a clean place on the grass and told his com- 
rades to lay him down there and I would attend to him, and whilst 
they were in the act of conveying him to the spot designated, two offi- 
cers on horseback came slowdy riding up to me from the front — ^the 
one evidently wounded and held on his horse by the sup[x>rting arms 
of the other. At the same moment General Hancock came from tlie 
opposite direction. They met in the road right at my side. The 
wounded officer was Colonel Miles who said : 
"General Hancock, I am wounded." 

The General remarking, "I am very sorry to hear it and hope It 
is not a serious wound," looked around and said : 

"Is there a surgeon here ?" 



the: 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 185 

I replied in the aitiriiiative and he requested me to take charge 
of Colonel Miles and dress his wound. 1 asked the otHcer who was 
holding the Colonel on his horse to take hiui tc) the (haueeilur House, 
but a short distance away, where I knew he could be better cared for, 
as I had seen beds and sofas there, and I picked up my lield ease and 
prepared to follow. I went over, however, to my friend, Ciiarlie, and 
said : 

"Charlie, have a little patience and, as soon as I dress the 
Colonel's wound, I will send some of the boys to carry you to the 
house, where you can get better attention."' 

I fully expected to see and attend to him in a short time but 
it was over a. quarter of a century before I had the [dea-^ure of again 
meeting and seeing him, and he was then in good health. 

Wlhen I reached the bouse, I had the Colonel laid on a table and 
proceeded to drjBss his wound. He had been shot by a large musket ball 
which entered near the center of the abdomen between one anU two 
inches below the navel. I thought, of course, the wound would prove 
mortal. I dressed it as well as I oould, not venturing to remove the 
ball. He was sent back to the hospital, from there to Washington, 
w^here the bullet w^as extracted, and he still lives and is now a Major 
General in the United States Army. After dressing Colonel Miles' 
wound, I reslung my knapsack of surgical instruments, and was 
about leaving the building, when an officer came up to me and said : 

"Is there another surgeon wdth your Regiment?" 

I answered, "Yes." 

He then said : "I order you to stay here in this building with 
me and, in the event of the retreat of oiir Army, you are to remain 
and surrender with me and help me take care of the wounded." 

I inquired, "By whose authority am I to remain ?" 

He said, "By the authority of the Assistant Medical Director of 
the Anny." 

Said I, "Will you please make a note in your memorandimi of 
this order." 

He took out his book and made the entry of it. I knew, or at 
least supposed, that my being absent from my Regiment at that time 
would result in a Court of Inquiry and it was even so after the cam- 



186 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

paign. My case was investigated and, having the necessary proof 
and General Hancock's endorsement, I was honorably acquitted of all 
charges. If any of my old comrades will read this account and have 
not heard before the cause of my absence in that sore time of need, 
they will now fully understand it. 

After the director finished his order to ine, he took me by the 
ami and escorted me into a room which was filled with wounded reb- 
els, and my orders were to dress their wounds. Poor fellows, ho^^' 
T pitied them ! Although they had been the enemies of my countiy, 
I could not withstand their sufferings and did all that I could to re- 
lieve them. One poor fellow, who told me he was from Vioksburg, 
t-ouehed my sympathies especially. He had been shot through the 
shoulder; another ball had gone into his chest, passing through his 
lungs. His sufferings were very great. The death shadow was on 
his face. How thankful he was for my assistance and sympathy. All 
the wounded rebels who were in the room were very quiet and not a 
groan escaped from any, even when I was dressing their w^ounds, ex- 
cept from the one whcm I have mentioned, and with him I think it 
was the death agony. 

After dressing their wounds, I retired to another room and sat 
in a window seat to see the scenes which were then transpiring about 
the house. The outbuildings, the well curb and other surroundings, 
which were there when I entered the house, had all been knocked 
away by the artillery and the dead bodies were lying about, including 
one or two cavalrymen, one of whom was still sitting upon his horse, 
the horse and rider being evidently both dead. About this time a 
Major, who had been severely woimded, was brougiht in. Whilst his 
wound was being dressed, I overheard one of the officers, who had 
come with him, remark to the other, "This is the heaviest cannonad- 
ing of the War; it beats Malvern Hill." About fifty yards from 
where I was then standing a battery of probably a dozen of our 
heavy siege guns was posted, upon which the retels seemed to be con- 
centrating all their fire. I watched the brave fellows loading and 
firing, until there were scarcely any of them left, and their ammuni- 
tion seemed to be exhausted. This was the battery which was after- 
wards hauled off under the direction of Lieutenant Wilson, of Com- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 187 

paiiy F of our Regimeut, then serving upon GeneTal Hancock's staff, 
who, bj General Hancock's direction, witli a number of men pulled 
the guns to a place of safety. 

During this cannonade, solid shot and shell frequently struck 
the house, doing no special damage. I went at one time into the 
rooim where tlie wounded rebels were lying. Just at the moment I 
entered a cannon ball struck the chimney. There was an old- 
fashioned fire place in the room and two of the wounded were lying 
right in front witli their feet in the fire place. I heard the brick com- 
ing down the cJiimney, when I jumped and caught my two wounded 
Johnnies under the arms and drew them back to a place of safety, 
and well for them Uiat I did so, as the entire fire place was filled with 
the falling brick and debris. 

I at one time noiticed a great running up and down 
the stairs to the cellar and felt curious to know what 
was going; on down there so I went down, and to my great sur- 
prise found a great many soldiers — among them some officers — 
skulkers I tliought at the time, for the impression was that the cellar 
was a good place for safety. I, of course did not think much of their 
bravery then, but I had good reason soon after to think differently, 
for these very persons came to my assistance a short time afterwards, 
A^ihen their help was much needed. Amongst others I saw in the cel- 
lar were six or seven women — ^one with a child about six weeks old in 
her arms. These women, I afterwards learned, had been gathered in 
with some old men and a lad about sixteen years of age and placed 
in the cellar to prevent them from carrying information to the enemy. 
After my curiosity was satisfied about the cellar, I went out 
upon the front porch, the roof of which was sustained by pillars 
about thirteen inches in thickness. The fire of the rebel batteries, 
which were plainly in sight, seemed to be concentrated upon the 
house, the shells were exploding all around me and I thought I could 
then understand why their fire was directed at this house. They 
were evidently desiring to batter it down, so as to reach our troops, 
who were marching in the rear of it. The only person on the porch 
at the time was General Hooker. He was walking backwards and 
forwards, with one hand behind his back and the other holding his 



188 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

field glass which he would raise now and again to enable him to take 
in the position of the enemy. Seeing the Greneral's exposed condi- 
tion, I tlunight him the bravest or the most foolhardy man I had ever 
seen, I scarcely knew which. After remaining but a few minutes, I 
turned around and had just walked into the house, as the General 
leaned up against a post on the porch, with his glass again up to his 
eye. I had scarcely shut the door, when there was a fearful expl<i^ion. 
a shell having struck the post agains't which the General was leaning 
scarcely more than a foot above his head. When the shell exploded, 
the post was co^mpletely cut off and the concussion alone knocked the 
General insensible for the time. 

It was about this time that I began to see the Array fall back 
and, expecting then to be taken prisoner, as my orders were to surren- 
der with the wounded, I looked forward to Libby Prison and all that 
it involved, 'and I did not hesitate, as my orders must be obeyed. 

After General Hooker's surgeons got hold of him, he was carried 
back and Geaieral Couch assumed command and I have often thought 
since tthat, if General Hooker had not recovered ooinsciousness when 
he did, the issue of the battle of Chancellorsville would have beem 
very different. It was not long after Couch assumed command that, 
to my great joy, I saw the troops again advancing. My spirits rose 
and I said to myself, ''We will whip them yet," but this was short- 
lived for, when General Hooker recovered consciousness, the move- 
ment in retreat was resumed. 

After the most of our troops had retired, a soldier came nnming 
into the house and said the roof was on fire. There must have been 
nearly two hundred of our wounded in the buikling beside the room 
full of rebels. Now came our chance. The medical director and 
rnyself made all the cellar skulkers come up and t-ako each one hold 
or a wounded m'an and help carry them to a plac« of safety within 
cur lines. A number of the provost guard, seeing the fire, came in 
{ii)(l tofik charge of my wounded rebels. After the wounded were all 
disposed of, then came the women. I can never forget the great 
shrieks and cries of those poor creatures. We would get them to the 
door and try to encourage them to leave the house but, as soon as they 
could get a sight outside and see the destruction and hear the terrible 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 189 

din, they would come screaming back. By tliis time the fire had 
made such rapid progress that I expected every moment the whole 
upper stories would fall in. A general officer came rushing in and 
said we must all get out of the building instantly, as the house would 
fall in on us. We again tried to get the women out but, as soon as 
we got tliem to the door, a shell exploded on the outside aud they 
again came screaming back. A young rebel lad was in the lead and 
he seemed to be the most noisy and worst frightened of the crowd. 
The General couldn't stand it. He drew his pistol, cocked it, pointed 
it to the boy's head and swore that, if ho didn't instantly come out of 
the house, he would shoot him dead on the spot. With a scream of 
terror one of the women jumped in front of the pistol. It must have 
been the boy's mother. She begged the General not to s'hoot. He put 
up his pistol and the medical director, the General and myself caught 
hands, thus forming a chain, and just pulled the whole of them out of 
the house. What a terrible place for women ! I w^as told afterwards 
that three of tliem were wounded, before they could be gotten to a 
place of safety. The boy and the baby I think came out all right. 

After the house was emptied, I begaii to think of myself, tlie 
medical director who went with the women having disappeared, and 
buckled on my sword, took my surgeon's knapsack and looked at my 
overcoat hanging on a nail. My first thought was, why take my over- 
coat with me ? I cannot run this terrible gauntlet between both 
armies and come out alive, but a second thought came — I may per- 
haps get through and, if so, I will need my overcoat these cold nights. 
1 took down the coat, tlirew it over my shoulder, left my haversack 
containing my dinner on a nail, which I much regretted afterwards, 
and went to the door. One glance was enough. Our skirmishers 
right in front of me were coming, jumping out of the rille pits in a 
confused mass and running toward me and right behind was a long 
line of rebs coming to give a charge. I saw at a glance that what was 
done must l)e done quickly. I jumped down from the door and ran 
thirty steps, when I found I could not run any more on account of 
tlie heavy load I was carrying and the hot sun. I then concluded not 
to run any more but simply to take my time and walk independentlv 
of what was going on around me. I was expecting every momemt 



190 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

to be shot, but thanks to a kind Providence I escaped unliiirt, al- 
though I discovered aftenvards a hole in my sash which I had 
never seen there before. Whilst passing through this terrible 
gauntlet on the way back to our lines a shell came flying so near 
my head that I involuntarily ducked my head. At the same moment 
another flew so close to my head that I made a second dodge, and, 
in so doing, I tripped myself so as almost to fall down. I straight- 
ened up with a feeling of anger and determination that I would do 
no more dodging and that right in the presence of our Army. 
Soaroely had this resolution been made, however, when a shell fle^' 
by and exploded so near me that, before I could give a thought, I 
made a great jump to avoid it. I have since learned that in thus 
ducking and dodging I was not singular. 

Of the retreat of our Army the next night and tlie re-crossing 
of the river history has told the story. I will only say we were 
much disappointed and all felt sad at the great loss of life and worse 
than fruitless result of the campaign. 

It was but a few days after the battle when an incident 
occurred which I have never yet seen in print. We had returned 
to our old camping ground, when it was rumored that Governor 
Curtin had arrived. The boys, who were unhurt, were ordered,, out 
upon dress parade, and, after a hearty cheer from the Regiment, 
the Governor mounted a large stump and began an address. It 
proved, however, a very difficiilt matter for him. He tried to 
console and encourage the boys, spoke of his sympathy in their 
behalf and of the great loss of life and the loss of many of our 
Regiment w'hom he personally knew. "Where," said he, pointing 
bis hand over toward the river, ''Where is my friend Lieutenant 
Bible? and where Lieutenant Stevenson ( Their bodies, with those of 
many others of my personal friends, aiv lying on the other side of 
that river." He could say no more. He burst into tears. He was 
completely overcome. It was now the Regiment's turn to sympathize 
and try to comfort the heart of the Chief Executive of our great 
state. Discipline and restraint were at an end ; there was one uni- 
versal rush of the men, officers and all, to grasp the hand of the great 
War Governor. 



STORY OF THE CHAPLAIN. 

By his son, Rev. Emory M. Stevens 

Willi'am Henry Stevens was of Scoteh-Irisih descent, bom near 
Shirley sbiirg, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, December 12, 
1831, and died of neuralgia of the heart, a legacy of his army ex- 
perience, after but fifteen minutes sickness, in Shelby, Iowa, June 
10, 1901. Tfen days prior to the public memorial service of the 
G. A, R. Post, of which he was Chaplain, he had from the theme, 
"Who shall be the next ?" delivered an eloquent and pathetic address 
upon the rapid passing of his comrades. His death was the answer 
to his question. 

Sunday morning, June 2d, he preached his last sermon from 
Revelations 22 :5. "There shall be no night there." What are 
believed to be his last written words closed a letter to his son a few 
hours before his death. He had just conducted a prayer meeting ser- 
vice, and in writing of it and his own peace of mind and heart, closed 
with his personal testimony, "My happiness is not based on things 
temporal and seen, but on things unseen and eternal." 

His body rests in the Three Springs Cemetery, Huntingdon 
County, Pennsylvania. Comrade Thomas W. Myton, of Company 
H, whom the Chaplain had aided when sorely wounded at Chancel- 
lorsville, represented the Regiment at his funeral and, in a feeling 
and appropriate manner, paid a beautiful tribute to his character as 
a man and Christian, and his fidelity as a soldier and Chaplain. 

The Chaplain in physique was spare of flesh, but sinewy, erect, 
six feet one inch in height, hair black and abundant, eyes steel gray, 
A'oiee strong, distinct and having great carrying power so that it 
could easily be heard at considerable distances in the open air. 

In March, 1855, he entered the Baltimore Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, his presiding elder being John A. Col- 
lins, leader of the anti-slavery debate in the General Conference of 
1844, which resulted in the withdrawal of the southern delegates and 
the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The an- 
nual conference of March, 1861, met in Baltimore and part of the 



192 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

time was lield behind closed and guarded doors, beoause of the in- 
tensely bitter pro-slavery feeling of that city. At this conference he 
was appointed to Bald Eagle Circuit, Centre County, Pennsylvania, 
and moved to Port Matilda, one of the appointments on his new 
charge. 

He had not made the second round of his several preaching 
places when Fort Sumter was fired upon. His pulpit at once rang 
with tlie most loyal expressions and fervent appeals. Four brothers 
enlisted for the defense of tlie flag, a fifth offered his seiwices and 
was rejected because of ill health, and only his obliguitions to his 
parish kept him back. 

In the summer of 1862, a number of his ofiiciary suggested that 
he raise a company. In response he enlisted thirty-five men, mostly 
from the attendants upon his ministry. The 148th Infantry Regi- 
ment of Pennsylania Volunteers, was just being organized. Early 
in August going to Bellefonte with these recruits they joined the 
squad raised by George A. Fairlanib, M. D., the two constituting the 
larger part of Company H, with George A. Fairlanib, Captain ; 
George A. Bayard, First Lieutenant and William H. Stevens, Second 
Lieutenant. 

They were conveyed by hacks and stages over the mountains to 
Lewistown and there in tlie night took the train for Ilarrisburg. 
Scarcely started w'hen the front end of the ooach occupied by Com- 
pany H caught fire, the motion of the train fanned the flames, which 
with the stifling smoke drew through the car. There was no water, 
the engineer was unconscious of the difficulty, all communication 
with the engine being cut off, the whole train was in danger. One 
man in desperation leaped frcmi the car and was killed. Finally 
from the rear platform, one was lifted by his comrades to the roof of 
the car, whence he crawled to the engine and reported the danger. At 
Milflin the partially consumed coach was side tracked. Soon after 
da3dight they reached Camp Curtin, were assigned quarters, awaited 
their physical examination, all of the original squad passing, save 
one, and August IG, 1862, were sworn into the service of the United 
States. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 193 

While officer of the guard here, LieTitenant Stevens found a 
nieniber of tihe Regiment asleep at his post; the man was badly 
frightened ; the Lieutenant talked to him of whait might have been 
the eonsequencas if they liad been in the presence of the enemy, how 
thousands of lives would have been jeopardized. After soundly ad- 
monishing him the Chaplain told him that, because picket duty was 
so new to him and no doubt trying, he would not report his neglect, 
if he promised never to permit such a thing to occur again. T'he 
promise was gladly given, the man became a most excellent soldier 
and several years after the War, sought out the officer and thanked 
him for his kindness. 

It may be of interest to note that each of the line officers of 
Company H, in its preliminary organization, later became roginunital 
officers, closely identified with the Regiment's splendid record. Capt. 
George A. Fairland), ])romoted to Major and later to Lieutenant 
Colonel; severely wounded and captured, loved by his command, who 
delight in telling how when freezing on the picket line he sent loads 
of wood for lires, thus instituting a custom later adopted by many 
others ; Lieut. George A. Bayard, ever kind hearted and considerate, 
also promoted to Major and Lieutenant Colonel, wounded and cap- 
tured, who returned from his enforced exile in time to rejoin the 
Regiment in its closing struggles, and Lieut. William H. Stevens, 
promoted to the chaplaincy. 

There were many applicants for this position, he was not dis- 
tinctly so. His selection came as an agreeable surprise and was due 
to Col. James A. Beaver more than to any other person. The evening 
before the organization of the Regiment he was summoned to the 
Colonel's quarters who said : 

"Lieutenant, which would you prefer, to retain your present po- 
sition witli the possibilities of promotion or become Chaplain of the 
Regiment ?" 

"My business is preaching, I would rather be Chaplain." 

"Then go sell your sword and buy a Bible." 

Colonel Beaver who had already seen a year of active sei'vice 
and thoroughly understood the needs of a soldier's life and knew the 
sore teinptations to wdiich they were exposed, said he desired a Clia.p- 



194 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

lain who came from the men rather than to them, who wonld freely 
mingle among them, win their confidence, make their trials his own, 
conduct prayer and similar meetings, look after their spiritual wel- 
fare and help them to bear the strain of camp, march and battle, in 
fact be the pastor of the Regiment. He also stated that he believed 
that his choice of a Chaplain would have been that of the rank and 
file, had they been consulted. Later he said to the Chaplain, "If you 
need money to purchase books or papers or any aid in conducting 
meetings or in any way helping the men to better moral, intellectual 
or religious experience, be free to make your wants known and I 
shall do all I can to see that they are supplied." This promise the 
Colonel faithfully kept as long as he was with the Regiment, and his 
loyal and enthusiastic support added not a little to the efficiency of 
the work of the Chaplain and that fidelity to the position which led 
one of the brigade officers, years afterwards, in an address before a 
G. A. R. Post, fifteen hundred miles distant, on the "Model Army 
Chaplain," to use the Chaplain of the 148th, as an illustration of his 
high ideal. With the Colonel's view of the office, duties and respon- 
sibilities of a Chaplain, the Chaplain himself was in most hearty ac- 
cord and with all possible energy at once threw himself into his work. 
Comrades still live who remember how while on guard near his tent 
they paused to listen, as in family prayer with the mess, he fervently 
})lcad, at a throne of grace, for the tl^x>ps, their cause and the loved 
ones at home. Prayer meetings and preaching services were regular- 
ly maintained AVhenever the exigencies of the campaign did not pre- 
vent. 

The diaracter of his work and his anxiety for the welfare of 
those under his care is revealed in a letter to his Avife, "In the field 
near Rapidan Station, October 4, 1863." Commenting upon the 
pvosi)ect of getting home, he adds : 

"But my work is here now and I hope it will soon be at home 
with you and the boys. But so long as my health is good and my 
Regiment is in the field, I feel that this is my home, and now thait 
the Lord is to some extent blessing my labors I take courage. Two 
souls have been ccvnverted at our prayer meeting since I last wrote 
3'ou, others are seeking, we have pleasant times, I feel the presence 
of the Lord with mo in mv work and am satisfied that he is ffivinff 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 195 

ine favor witli tli© men. Tliere is nut an officer in t:be Regiment who 
docs not treat me with the kindest respect, and I have been told sev- 
eral times that General Caldwell (Division Commander) has snid 
publicly tlint the Chaplain of tlie 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers 
was the best Chaplain in his Division. These things make me thank- 
ful to my Master." 

Soon after this in the splendid winter camp near Stevensburg, 
Virginia, a comfortable and commodious church was built. The 
pioneer corps had in it many skilled woodsmen who were unexcelled 
in the use of the axe ; these felled the Virginia pines, hewed the logs 
and put them together in a way that made a i*eally fin© building. 
Near camp was an old saw mill which had been abandoned for sev- 
eral years, but the practical mechanics and lumbermen of the Regi- 
ment so restored it that the old lady who owned it said she, ''Never 
saw such fellows as these Yankees. That old mill had rotted down 
ten years ago, but now they had made it better than it ever had been." 
From lumber cut on this mill, in addition to some old lumber found 
and confiscated, doors, windows, seats and flooring were made. The 
Christian Commission furnished canvas for covering. In it more 
than tAvo hundred were converted during the winter, and for weeks 
there was scarcely a time between reveille and taps when some kind 
of a service was not in progress in it It also served for an instnic- 
tion room for the commissioned and non-commissioned officers of the 
Regiment as well as a school room for such of the privates as cared 
to thus spend the heavy winter hours, a reading room and a pLice 
to write letters to home loved ones and for social gatherings. During 
the erection of this building the Chaplain cut his foot on an axe left 
sticking in one of the logs, and was laid aside for several weeks. 

His mother, who lived on a farm had been given a calf, this 
she personally cared for and when it reached a marketable age, dis- 
posed of it to a drover and with the proceeds purchased a Bible for 
each of her c'hildren. His Bible he carried during all the years of 
his chaplaincy, used in his hospital work and all his religious services. 
It is still in possession of the family. Many of the texts, passages of 
scripture and chapters he read or discussed in those days are marked, 
and it would be of intense intei-est to know the history of some of 
them, fraught as they were with earnest appeals for the solace and 



196 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

ct>mfort, of some sick, weary or dying boy. A coiurade's dairy re- 
cords that just after the return to Virginia, from Gettysburg, he 
preached at 11 :00 a. m., Sunday, August 9, 1803, fr.)m Isaiah v :.■)-('», 
and near Petersburg, Sunday, . I Illy 17, lS(j4, fi'oiii Matthmv xxii : 
1-1, "For many are called, but few are chosen." These are the only 
])assages the identity of which can now be established. 

The ('haj)lain was ever a safe and sympathetic ciuitidant and 
counselor and a willing friend in need. During a battU' he was 
often fdund on the tiring line, ministering to and aiding the wounded, 
comforting and praying with the dying, receiving their farewell 
messages, caring for their eti'ects and after all was (.ver writing the 
friends in the desolated homes. 

Major General John R. Brooke relates that when the troops ex- 
pected a sudden attack at fJonesboro, and it seemed necessary to 
quickly dig rifle pits and throw up breast works, he saw tlio Gha])- 
lain, witli his coat off, vigorously swinging an axe and later as in- 
dustriously as any other rolling logs; also that in the heat of battle, 
when the men could not leave the line and were suffering for water, 
he had seen him so strung full of canteens, suspended from almost 
CA'cry part of his body, that he cnuld scarcely travel, in lii-^ effort to 
succor them. A bi\>tiher officer says that in digging of wells for water 
he seemed to ha.ve a kind of instinct, and they so seldom failed to 
obtain water where he suggested the propriety of digging, that it be- 
came the common thing to consnlt the Chaplain before beginning tflii-< 
kind of labor. 

When Henry G. Gampbell was wounded at the battle of Ghan- 
cellorsville, 'he carried him on his back to the field hospital, a mile 
distant, and not a few stricken ones were thus assisted to places of 
safety and relief. 

On the march he was frequently seen bearing the muskets and 
luggage of exhausted soldiers, whih^ tlun- nxle his horse. An ex- 
ample of this was at Mine Rnn to which the Regiment had made a 
forced march for picket and reconiioitei-ing serxice. After having 
been continuously on duty for three days and nights, under most try- 
ing circumstances and subject to great exposure, the return march 
was made through deep mud, many beanniiig exhauvSted. One in de- 



1 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 197 

scribing it said that he met tlie Chaplain, "Hrudging- ahjng, leading 
his horse, which was covered from head to tail, with twenty-five or 
more knapsacks." 

During the race with Lee for Gettysburg, on the first day of 
the battle, the Regimen't made thirty-five miles ; the heat was in- 
tense and the dnst several inches deep, rising and settling every- 
where and filling eyes, ears and throat. Mnch of the afternoon of 
that day his horse was at the dispos-al of the foo't-sore. The Regi- 
ment neither knew where they were marching mn' what was trans- 
piring in their front. Toward evening he stepj^ed out of the column, 
and froin an old man near the road, learned that a, great batitle M^as 
being fought and that one of the Union Generals had been killed. 
This was the first news the Regiment received of Gettvsbur"- where 
so many of theii" numl)er were to fall. A few minutes later an order- 
ly passed asking for General Hancock, and still later the escort bear- 
ing the body of General Reynolds was met. 

At this battle he assisted in the care of General Barksdale of 
the Confederate forces, when mortally wounded, as also in his burial 
under the little peach tree, near General Meade's headquarters. 

On the morning after the battle, while down near the i)ublic road 
between the lines, with a sqnad gathering \\\) tlu^ wmuided, and wliile 
giving food to Lieutenant Stevens, a Confederate officer from Fred- 
ericksburg, \"irginia. General I^e's picket line and rear guard fired, 
scattering the squad. This Lieutenant stated that the Confederacy 
had received their death blow, that they came north expecting to fight 
a few militia and home givards and only realizecl what was l>efore 
them, wdien on the morning of July 2d, they saw tlu^ butterfly of the 
Second Corps and knew that that meant the Army of the Potomac 
was in their front. This ofiicer refused to be exchanged when tlie op- 
portunity was presented, said that it was useless to fight longer and 
that he had enough of it. That he had believed that the Xorth wgs as 
nearly depleted of men and supplies as the South ; to march with this 
impression into Southern Pennsylvania in the midst of wheat harvest, 
and find the hills and valleys covered with waving grain, with ap- 
parently ample help to gather it, was a revelation coming with the 
sensation of a shock, quickly dispelling the illusions held by the Army 



198 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

cf Northern \'irg'inia. The same day of this experience the Chap- 
lain, counted five dead rebels, each shot through the forehead, behind 
a rock, in front of the Regiment's position in the second day's fight, 
bearing a^vful testimony to the marksmanship of the command. 

He was deeply religions and thoroughly reverent and often said 
that the only time he ever heard anything savoring of profanity, that 
was not utterly repulsive to him was during the great artillery duel 
of the third day. He was with the reser\^e artillery, which was 
.parked near Rock Creek. It seemed to him that everything was b.'- 
ing blown to pieces and at the rate the reserve was being hurried to 
the front, there soon would be none left. A Lieutenant in charge of 
a field piece came back ; two horses were dragging the gun, one wheel 
of which was gone, the axle being supported by a rail. As the Lieu- 
tenamt was coupling to a new gun the Chaplain ventured to ask : 

"Lieutenant, how is it going up there ^" 

Sharp and emphatic the answer came, ''Oh, we're just giving 
them h ." 

The Chaplain felt relieved, and if General Sherman's definition 
of War is correct, the Lieutenant's answer descrihed the true situ- 
a I ion. 

After the battle he was present at the Corps Llospital when the 
second exajnination of General Hancock's wound was made and the 
nail, either from his saddle tree or an enemy's gun was found. The 
remarks made by the General when told of the discovery were not 
exactly religious. 

His duties frequently took him to the hospital and there much 
of his time was spent, after a battle his almost constant j)re.-^ence 
being required. The night after the terrible struggle at Po River, 
May 10, 1864, he was alone in charge of several hundred wounded. 
Two men had been detailed to assist, others were to have been sent 
later, but ncme reported. Of the two, one decam}K>d early in the 
evening, the oth(>r remained and faithfully labored, but about mid- 
night the Chaplain noticing how weary ho was, told him to take his 
blankets and lie down and after he had a little rest he would call 
him. He was soon in a sound sleep and the Chaplain knowing that 
he had fought all day and iirnbahly would have to fight all of the 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 199 

next day did not awake him until daylight, and then told him to join 
his Regiment. All he could do that night was to carry water, give 
the wounded drink and wet their bandages. The water he obtained 
from a spring some distance away and at the foot of a hill. This 
spring was surrounded by tall pines in which during the night 
owls congregated with their dismal hootings. He often stated that 
that was the most trying night he ever experienced aiud that it ^vas 
difficult to tell which was the most neiwe racking, the moans of the 
suifering in the hospital or the hooting of the owls in the pines over 
the spring. Eighteen men died that night. One, shot through t\v3 
heel, suffered excruciatingly and continuously groaned in his agony. 
The one next to him said : 

'''Comrade cannot you keep quiet ? I cannot sleep and do not 
care to, but perhaps some of the boys could if we were quiet." 

The other replied: ''I cannot; I suffer so with my feet." 

The response was: "I have both feet off." The former died, 
the latter lived. 

One poor fellow who had lost a foot, tried to console by telling 
him that he would not have to fight any more, and would soon be 
discharged and get home. He burst into tears and exclaimed : "But, 
Chaplain, what will my poor wife and children do now that I am 
not able to provide for them ?" This was a hard question to answer 
in those days. 

jS^ot all of his hospital experiences were pathetic, some being 
rather humorous as when one who was sick begged of him to 
endeavor to get him sent home, "For, Chaplain, I am afraid I 
shall die if I remain here and you know it is said dust to dust, but 
it I am buried here I will turn to sand." As when William H. 
Kelleraian, with frozen feet, after having been for seven days cut 
off from his command, in front of Petersburg, lying during that 
time, in a little hole in the sand under a brush heap; during the 
day constantly exposed to the fire of both armies and at night within 
a few feet of the rebel vidette, without food, shelter or water, save 
that from his own person, in the darkness and falling mist of the 
eighth nig'ht, carrying his Spencer and all his accoutrements with 



200 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

liim, crept into his own lines and then faintetl from exhaustion, was 
carried to the hospital, w'here he was told bv tlie Chaplain: 

''Had I been as weak as yon are, I would have left those things 
behind." 

"Left that gun! Let the rebs have that gun I [ would have 
died first." 

That was the kind of material the 148th was made <^>f. 

An incident the Chaplain related with great gusto, was that 
while in front of Petersburg, the pickets had to dig hole> in the 
ground for protection. John ^L English crawled out to one of these, 
dropped in and proceeded to build a fort for his Ix^tter })iMteeri(Ui. 
By keeping his head down and working diligently, he soon had (piite 
a dirt barricade with a port hole in its center for his Spencer. In 
his immediate front was a large rebel fort. Getting range of the 
port hole direotly opposite he drove the artillerymen from their 
gun and silenced the piece. He thus held his position f<ir several 
hours, "vVhen they began to fight upon the right and the balls l>ega.n 
to come down the line. He turned his head to see what was going 
on up there, the enemy took advantage of his inatitentioii t> '.pen 
upon him with artillery. The first shot was too high, bur dohn 
knowing what was coining next got down as close to the botroni of 
the hole as he could. The second shell at the s^ame time hit the fort 
and exploded, throwing the gun back twenty feet, although not in- 
juring it. John was knocked unconscious, quite badly cut about the 
arms and back, had his coat nearly tor-n off and was buried uiider 
the wreckage. His comrades ran in and piilhsl him out. The 
first thing he said when he partially regained consciousness was, 
"I knew the rebs were mighty mean but never thought they werc^ 
mean enough to open on one man with artillery." 

One of the unpleasant features of a Chaplain's duties was 
that of ministering to men under sentence of deaith by court martial, 
of which several cases came under his care, although ])robahly none 
from the Regiment itself. Tn the letter «d" October 4, ISC.:!, nlreatly 
mentioned, ho says: 

"I performed the most solemn duty on tlie iM (Friday) that 
ever crossed my pathway. T was sent for on Wednesday night to 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 201 

visit a young man at division headquarters,, condenmod to be shot 
for desertion. When 1 went to see him the General asked me to 
become his spiritual adviser and to officiate at the execution. I could 
not refuse as there was no Chaplain in the Keg'iment to which he 
belonged and the young man desired a .Methodist Chaplain, and I 
v;as one of the only two in the Division. I found him ver)' ignorant 
on all religious subjects and seeing that I would have to be his teacher 
as well as spiritual adviser, I commenced at tlie alphabet of religion. 
He readily comprehended 'the plan of redemption and 011 Thursday 
nigat was converted. I have no doubt of ins gtuuine conversion. He 
was too ignoranit. to be susceptible of deception or hypocrisy. He 
sang hymns until the provost marshal came in and told me that they 
were ready. He arose, put on his cap, took my arm and marched 
beliind his coffin, borne bv four men, half a mile, approached his 
gTave, took his cap off, heard his sentence read. I then prayed 
and bade him good-bye. The provost marshal then blindfolded him, 
he then seated himself on his coffin and in a moment was pierced 
by eight balls, six in the body and two through the head, ifll of 
which time he never moved a muscle — was as composed and cheer- 
ful as I have ever been in all my life. He made this remark when 
on the wa\' to the place of execution, when I exhorted him to con- 
tinue to trust in Ohrisit, "Ciliaplain it seems to- me tliat the Lord 
goes with me wherever I go." He belonged to the 66th New York. 
Name, Adam Small, aged twenty years, has a mother and four 
brothers. Strange to tell, though a few weeks ago I stood off and saw 
the execution of two men, I was so shocked that I could hardly stand 
on my feet, I led this young man to the place of execution, attended 
him in his last moments and saw him shot, put in his coffin and 
buried without the least emotion or unpleasant feeling." 

Eighteen days later he writes : 

"We marched from Bull Run on Monday, arrived here on 
Tuesday, lay in the Avoods yesterday, were ordered into regular camp 
this moniing. worked 'hard all day fixing up nice and held prayer 
meeting in the evening, came to my quarters and found orders to 
march at seven-thii-ty in the morning. I have no idea where we 
are going, hence I Avrite. On last Friday I led the second young 
man out to his grave, seated him on his coffin and saw him shot. 
These are duties which require courage." 

At least one other such duty was ]-)erfonned. The man, who 
was near middle life, nearly collapsed and leaned so heavilv upon 
the Chaplain, in the march from the ambulance to the grave that 
he had to almost carry 'him. To add to tlie painfulness of the 
situation, the first volley missed the condemned man, the second onlv 



202 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

broke liis arm, when tlie officer in charge completed the execution by 
a shot from his revolver. 

The Regiment not having been paid for several months received 
their back pay April 16, 1863. At their request the Chaplain was 
sent home with their money, carrying $65,000 to Washington, where 
the amount belonging to the companies west of the Alleghany Moun- 
tains, was expressed and $45,000, in a satdiel from there to Centre 
County. Each soldier's money was in a separate package and in 
nearly every case was delivered to the family in person. 

Upon his return he was surprised by being presented by the 
officers with the magnificent bay saddle horse, Jim, seventeen and 
a half hands high. Lieutenant Wilson was the purchasing agent. 
Jim had been brought to the Army for the use of another officer, 
but was so full of mettle, ©specially when under fire that the owner 
could neither rid© nor manage him. When this was told Wilson 
he said, "The Chaplain can rid© anything," and at once bought him. 
The men furnished the equipment; his enumeration of this in a 
letter of May 17, 1863, was "Saddle, bridle, halter, nose bucket, 
brush, curry comb, saddle blanket, saddle pockets, watering rein 
and bit, picket iron and rope and pistol holders." One of the con- 
ditions of the presentation was that the horse should remain with 
the Regiment so long as it maintained its organization. The Chap- 
lain rode him until the close of the War. In passing other regi- 
ments it was the common cry, half in jest, half in earnest, "Oh, 
what a bis: Chaplain ! Oh, what a big horse!" 

The evening of the second day's fight at Gettysburg, Jim waS 
left in the rear of Cemetery Ridge, while the Chaplain went to 
the line to minister to any in need of his services. When he re- 
turned, Jim was gone, a cavalry officer having appropriated him. 
He was recovered the next day. The officer at first with a good deal 
of bluster and many threats refused to siirrender him, but when 
he discovered that the Chaplain, who had only a fatigue suit on, 
probably ranked him, quickly quieted down and meekly listened to 
a lecture on horse stealing. Later .Tim was again stolen and after 
six weeks absence was found in a sutler's team. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANU VOLUNTEERS 203 

In the Wilderness the Ohaplain lay down at Jim's feet with 
his arm through the bridle rein, tO' be awakened bj tlie pawing of 
the horse and to find 'that for some time the fight had been raging 
all aroimd him. Later one night with the Regiment he lay down 
by the road side, when he awoke it was daylight and he and Jim 
were the only living things in sight. Uncomfortable visions of 
Lil)bv Prison began to flit before him. From an examination of the 
road he detected which way 'the Regiment had marched. It was ten 
o'clock before he come to where they were restine- they having 
marched all the after part of the night and moiming. 

A letter written from Boydton Plank Road, March 31, 1865, 
says : 

"Yesterday we advanced one mile and found the enemy strongly 
intrenched, but there was not much fighting done on account of the 
rain which fell in torrents all day and still it rains beautifully. 
There is heavy firing on the skirmish line at this time but it rains 
so hard that I think there w411 not be much done until it slackens. 
While eating my supper lasit evening, a shell exploded in the vicinity 
of my quarters and a very large piece cut my bridle rein in two, 
passing under Jim's neck and entering the ground on the spot where 
my tent had been erected but twO' hours before. I was eating supper 
about two rods distant. I think my escape providential, for I took 
my tent down for no particular reason and had been sitting in the 
rain at a little fire and had the tent been up I would no doubt have 
been in it." 

At another time while sitting on Jim a spent ball buried itself 
in the saddle flap. 

Near Petersburg, one afternoon he rode to the front with 
Quartermaster Musser. The road was up the bank of a stream 
partially wood lined. When they came out of the woods into the 
opening the rebel shai-pshooters, who were in a log house an the 
bluff, got the range of them. The wind of a bullet cut the Chap- 
lain's face. In an instant he was on the ground. The Quarter- 
master sat on his horse laughing at the Chaplain's bravery and 
remarking, "Those fellows cannot hit anything at that distance," 
M'hen a second ball just missed his ear. He promptly joined the 
Chaplain. V>\ creeping on hands and knees, behind the bushes along 



204 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

the river and leading- riieir horses, initil they regained the timber, 
they made tJieir escape. 

At the close of the War Jim was broTight to Orbisonia, Hunt- 
ingdon Connty, Pennsylvania, and sold to a wool dealer, who treated 
him kindly and prized him highly. For several years he made 
frequent visits to the Chaplain's home, where Jim always received 
an enthusiastic welcome, and never failed to recogiiize his former 
rider, giving manifestation to his pleasure in horse fashion. The 
saddle and bridle, though frequently patched up were used by the 
C'haplain until within a few months of his death. The family still 
preserve the saddle, not much being left of it save the tree. 

Besides his pack horse, Doll, the Chaplain during the last 
months of the service, had a third horse. Jack, inquired of by the 
regimental survivors in recent years almost as frequently as Jim. 
Jack was in almost every respect the opposite of Jim and was some- 
what of a curiosity. He was an undersized, club-footed, long-haired, 
sorrel colt, and many a sly remark was made to the Chaplain about 
his new mount. Jack joined the Regiment in this way. In the 
fall of 1804 a twelve-year-old bare footed girl came into the camp, 
selling cakes and pies. Questioned by the Chaplain, she stated 
that her home was near. After several visits to his qiuirters he ac- 
iCompanied her to her home anjd found it to be a vei*}' hiunble log 
cabin, occupied by the father, mother and several children. They 
were soundly loyal and greatly desired to get father north, where 
their surroundings would be more congenial and where the fatlier 
believed he could better care for his family and his children could 
obtain an education through the free public schools. Twenty-five 
dollars would pay their car fare, but they were very poor, had no 
money and nothing to sell, save Jack, who at that time was hardly 
worth five dollars. The Chaplain purchased him paying the amount 
needed for transportation, from the double motive of aiding the 
family and experimenting on Jack's feet. In due time Jack was 
led into camp, the observed of all observers. Disnuiy struck the 
heart of every horse oAvner in the Regiment, if not in the Division, 
when it was sj)oodily noised abroad the Chaplain's new horse was 
not only ugly and worthless but lousy — myriads of them — the shaggy 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 205 

jacket full of them. Consternation rapidly gave place to indigna- 
tion ; angry protests were uttered. The Chaplain calmly replied that 
the charges against Jack were true but that, he would be responsible 
for him and tis numerous colony. The troops were receiving rations 
of potatoes ; he went among the boys and begged the peelings, boiled 
tjiem thoroughly, washed Jack in the water and ever afterward he 
was as clean as any other equine. When the Regiment broke camp 
in the spring of 1865, Jack was turned loose to shift for himself. 
When the Regiment marched out of sight he was contentedly munch- 
ing at a pile of several bushels of oats, heaped on the ground. But 
he was not loyal to his former master and had been too long with 
the Regiment to be forsaken in that way and did not propose to 
remain alone in rebeldom, even if unlimited freedom was the prof- 
fered bribe. The next day as the Chaplain rode in the marching 
column, Jack gaily trotted up to him. After tiying to drive him 
away and failing, he told the boys to get a rope, put a halter on 
him and load him wita their pans, kettles and knapsacks. Thus 
he participated in the pursuit of Lee and the long return march to 
Washington, was then sent to Meadow Gap, Huntingdon County, 
and became the property of a Dutchman, proportionately diminu- 
tive as he was. His new owaier never having possessed a horse did 
not understand all the complicated mechanism of a horse's anatomy 
and a few days after the sale came to the Chaplain in great anxiety 
asking him to take Jack back, that there was sojnething wrong witli 
him. 

"There is nothing wrong except his feet and you knew that 
before you Iwught him." 

The Dutchman replied, "There is something wrong with his 
insides, when he runs down hill they go gooly, gooly, gooly." 

He was persuaded to give Jack a further trial and became so 
enamored of him that to his dying day he was rapturous in his praise 
of the good qualities of "mine Shack." 

The facts were, Jack's feet became nearly straight, his shaggy 
coat short and lustrous and he developed into considerable of a horse. 

The Chaplain had pronounced views as to when foraging was 
permissible, contending that only in case of actual need or to deprive 



206 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

the enemy of tlie means of subsistence was it ever justifiable and then 
rarely except by regular organized squads sent out for that purpose. 
George W. Famsler says that the first and last thing he ever 5t<ile, 
while belonging to the Regiment, was a bag of oats which he thus 
appropriated for the Chaplain's horse, while in front of Petersburg, 
and the Chaplain made him carry it back over half a mile. The 
Chaplain himself never but twice exercised this privilege of a 
S'oldier, each time to relieve the wants of Jim. The first was when 
on a hard march no grain could be obtained and Jim had been with- 
out food of any kind for more than twenty-four hours. Near the 
place of the evening encampment a well-filled com crib was found 
and attackeid by the boys. When he arrived an old woman and her 
daughter were in the crib on the com, vigorously defending it 
against a dozen soldiers crowded about the open door. Passing 
around to the rear he pried off a lath, dropped about a bushel of 
ears into a sack, came to the front, handed the woman fifty cents, 
shouldered his corn and walked off. Later when Jim's oommissarv 
was again empty, he followed a road cut zig-zag through the dense 
pines, for a mile, and came to where com in the shock had been 
hauled for concealment. From this he husked a sack full, the horse 
helping himself to a bountiful feast of fodder. 

When during the first winter, certain of the Regiment one 
morning in a few minutes nearly emptied the molasses barrel of 
the commissary of j;he Irish Brigade, by means of sticks, boards 
and shingles plunged into the sticky substance, twisted until full and 
then turned as they ran, one rushed into his quarters with a shingle 
from which was scraped three quarts of the pilfered sweet. No 
account is extant as to what became of it, but none was ever retume<:l 
to the sons of the Emerald Isle. It was tliis prank in addition to 
many similar raids on pork, beef and hard tack that led General 
Hancock to interview a detail of the Regiment, engaged in cutting 
wood at his headquarters, as to how they fared. When one answered : 

"General we do not get half enough to eat." 

The General responded, "I would not give a d for a soldier 

who got half enough and could not steal the other half." 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 20? 

The sequel was the stealing of tlie General's breakfast, off his 
table, a few weeks later, and his remark, "If I oould get Beaver 
and his Regiment within three or four miles of Richmond, they 
wonld steal the city and Jeff Davis and his Cabinet along with it," 
This subject recalls several meals among the many obtained 
under peculiar circumstances. At a time when rations were scarce, 
one of his company sent Captain Bayard a nice ham. Although 
fresh and skinned the Captain, under the circumstances thankfully 
accepted the gift and asked no questions. The Captain knew the 
Chaplain's scruples in regard to foraging but knowing also from a 
conversation of a few hours previous, that the Chaplain's mess was 
out of meat and amost every th.ing eatable, generously invited him 
to dinner. The Chaplain knew that the Captain's larder had been as 
empty as his own. Though surprised at the invitation and wonder- 
ing what the dinner would consist of, accepted tJie invitation with 
the alacrity of a hungry man. If he discovered the probable source 
of the dinner he kept quiet for conscience or stomach's sake and also 
asked no questions. When seated at the table the Oaptain suggested 
that the Chaplain "say grace," who responded in a reverent and 
solemn manner, by thanking the Giver of every good and perfect 
gift, for so abundantly providing for them this food in their hour 
of need. The staff who knew that the pig was stolen, were greatly 
amused. 

Near Falmouth the Regiment went rabbit hunting. A large 
abandoned field overgrown with briars provided a convenient cover 
for a numerous family. The discovery was no sooner made than 
the whole force charged through the thickets and undergrowth, yell- 
ing and beating the bunnies out of their retreat and capturing a 
number. The Chaplain crossing the field by a path saw a rabbit 
coming as only a badly scared rabbit can, squatted down in the 
path with the intention of trying to seize it as it passed. The 
creature possibly taking him for a stump, ran under his coat and 
started up his back. It is needless to add that it constituted a very 
acceptable portion of the evening meal. 

At this same Falmouth "Bob Cassidy's" famous Christmas 
dinner was served. The Chaplain, who was an expert axeman, was 



208 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

at work Christmas day with the mess hewing logs and building their 
winter quarters, known from its resemblance in form to the noted 
Confederate ram, as the Merrimac. Bob was given charge of the 
preparation of the dinner, consisting of jx)rk and beans in the form 
of a soup. A temporary shack for shelter, of brush and leav^es, 
had been erected a little distance from where the Merrimac was 
being built. Here Bod kindled his fire and placed the kettle over 
it^ resting on two logs. The contents of the kettle did not cook as 
rapidly as desired. The exercise of the ojDen air whetted the appe- 
tites of the builders, who kept calling out, ''Bob, what is wrong ?" 
''Is that dinner not ready V At length when almost cooked one 
log burned in two' and the kettle turned upside down in the ashes. 
Bob quickly turned it over, gathered up the meat and what beans 
he could with his hands, threw them back into the kettle, brushed 
the ashes over the scene of the catastrophe, poured water into the 
kettle and serenely announced dinner. The first course seemed 
all right and Bob was praised for his ability as a cook, but when 
one of the company went back for a second plate, he made a wry 
face and remarked that, "There seems to be a good many ashes 
in that soup." Bob explained it by the statement that "the wind 
blew hard and I could not keep them out." But the next one dipping 
still nearer to the bottom of the kettle with his tin cup, got sand 
which began to grit between his teeth and demanded hoAV sand had 
gotten in there. Bob in his inimitable way gave a plausible explana- 
tion for this but after dinner was compelled to tell the truth about 
the mishap. 

This dinner while unusual in seasoning and variety was not 
quite so abundant as when the mess prepared their first rice, taking 
a tin cup of the dry cereal for each man. Vessels were not 
numerous enough to hold the resulting expansion and no Chinaman 
over ate more rice in a given time than did they. 

Scarce as provisions were at times the distress from this cause 
evidently Avas not to be compared to that endured by the enemy. 
After the repulse of the attack popularly known as "Hot Coffee 
Hill," from the fact that the morning coffee was just boiling on the 
camp fires when the first volley came, scattering both breakfast and 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 209 

men, he opened the haversack of a dead Confederate and foMnd 
nothing- therein, save three ears of dry corn, one of which showed 
tooth marks where an attempt had been made to eat it in the hard 
and raw state. 

The duties of the Chaplain had but little to do with the drill 
and discipline of the troops and perhaps, after his promotion he 
was never asked but once to give them an order. In this case the 
regular regimental officers being; sick or absent the c(mmand for a 
few hours devolved upon one who was unaccustomed to this responsi- 
bility and not very familiar with the manual of arms and the 
forms in which orders pertaining thereto as well as the ordinary 
formations were given. The Chaplain was watching this officer 
difilling the Regiment, when he became confused and turning to him 
said : 

''Chaplain, you give the order." 

"What do you want them to do?" 

"You know, Chaplain, just give it." 

"But I do not know. I shall be glad to do so if you tell me 
what you want done." 

"Hang it, bunch them. Chaplain, bunch them." He wanted 
them massed and had forgotten the order. 

The Chaplain was not a coward as his comrades will attest; 
nevertheless on a certain occasion he ])erhaps was the worst scared 
man in the Army of the Potomac. When camping he was ac- 
customed to stretch his lariat between two trees, throw his tent 
over one end and gave the boys the privilege of placing their 
pup tents on the remainder. In this instance the rope had been 
stretched from an apple tree whose base was thickly grown about with 
sprouts. He placed his tent against the tree, breaking down the 
sprouts upon which he spread his blankets for a bunk. The pup 
tents were strung out on the line two feet apart, just giving room 
for a man to pass between them. The country was full of large 
black snakes. One day after dinner a squad of soldiers surrounded 
one of these reptiles, just back of the tents. When the snake would 
attempt to pass the circle, they by yelling and stamping their feet 
would drive it back. The snake becoming more and more excited 



210 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

and terrorized was making every efifort to break the cordon, when 
General Caldwell who commanded tlie Division and was a very 
humane officer, attracted by the fnror came iip and said, "Boys, 
do not be so cruel. If you are going to kill that creature, kill it, 
but do not torture it in that way." While the attention of the 
circle was drawn to the Geneiral, the snake took the opportunity to 
break through and glided down between the first pup tent and the 
Chaplain's tent, where he met a soldier coming up the narrow pas- 
sage. To escape the new foe he turned aiside into the Chaplain's 
tent and started for the apple tree. The Chaplain was asleep on 
his bunk, lying on his back with his mouth open, his usual manner 
when in that posture and condition. The snake ran up his prostrate 
body and he did not awake until it was crossing his face in its flight 
up the tree. No athlete ever made such a spring from such a 
position and when he landed without the tent, his face bloodless and 
his whole frame quivering from the nervous shock he was greeted 
by a chorus of shouts, ''The Chaplain has swallowed the snake." 
When his snakeship was shaken from the limb where he had con- 
cealed himself and was bayoneted he was found to be nearly six 
feet long. 

Though the boys thought often and even sang of the girls they 
had left behind them, the Chaplain was requested to solemnize but 
one marriage during his army experience. This was the marriage 
of Colonel Paul and an English lady who had crossed the Atlantic 
for that purpose. It was performed at night in the Colonel's 
quarters and was intended to be somewhat secret, but was in part 
revealed by the hilarity of a portion of the participants, and in part 
by the Chaplain over sleeping, the next morning indicating to watch- 
ful eyes that he had been up late. The wedding was a double one, 
only one bride and bridegroom, but two separate and distinct cere- 
monies being performed, one Protestant, the other Catholic. A 
priest who was a Chaplain in the Irish Brigade, being the other 
celebrant. One of the contracting persons was a Protestant, the 
other a Catholic. Certain property rights were involved in England 
and the English law required that the double ceremony should be 
performed. Colonel Paul was certainly well married. A few hours 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIA VOLUNTEERS 211 

after the wedding the bride left for her home land and shortly after 
Colonel Paul resigned for the same reason that made his wedding 
so hilarious. 

The Chaplain's letters during 1863 refer frequently to suf- 
fering with rheumatism. In his Rapidan Station letter of October 
4th, he says, "I have been troubled with rheumatism to some extent 
for a week. We are on very low ground and in a thick wood; the 
weather has been very cold and wet for several days, and I am 
satisfied that if there is any predisposition to rheumatism in a 
main's system soljdiering will b^ringj it out," and expfresses the 
opinion that because the camping ground is so very bad the Regi- 
ment would soon move, probably to Culpeper. The evening of 
the sixth he writes that the order to move had been received and they 
would march in the morning. At another time he writes, "Tb has 
been raining for several days and is rather uncomfortable when 
you have been in the rain constantly for seven days and nigliits 
without shelter and continually chilled." A letter from the North 
Anna River, May 26, 1864, says, "I have been troubled very much 
with headache since w^e commenced campaigning. I think my 
stomach is out of order." June 30th he writes, "The weather has been 
very warm for several daj's but is cooler now. We have had no 
rain for several weeks and the dust is half knee deep in many ])la('es. 
We have had trouble to get water, there being none except when we 
dig for it. We dig holes where the ponds have been and get water 
in three or four feet." What kind of water must this have been ? 
These conditions, indicating physical distress and approaching sick- 
ness increased rather than diminished. One of the surgeons had 
instructed him, the first year of service, never to enter the hospital 
without first having eaten something if only a piece of cracker. 
Early in August, having slept late, he arose hurriedly and at once 
went to the hospital to see a comrade who was dangerously sick with 
fever. The surgeon coming in asked : 

"Chaplain, have you had your breakfast?" 

"No, sir." 

"Then at once get out of this, you are neither well nor strong 
enough to take this kind of risk." 



212 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

A week later, Augiist 12, he was down with fever complicated 
with diarrhoea. In, a semi-oonscions condition he was sent to Citv 
Point Hospital. As he was carried to the ambulance one of his 
brother officers remarked, "That is the last we shall see of Cliaplain 
Stevens." The route lay over corduroy roads for several miles, part 
of the distance. Because of the crowded condition of tlie ambulance, 
his legs from the knees down hung out of the rear of the vehicle. At 
this hospital he overheard several of the surgeons in consultatioii. 
They said that he would die any how and tihey proposed to experi- 
ment on him. But when they attempted it he objected to being 
made an experiment station. He vomited almost continually until 
Wednesday morning, August 17th, when he suddenly broke into a 
profuse perspiration and obtained some relief. Friday, 19th, he 
was sent by boat to Carver General Hospital, Washington. He 
arrived Sunday. 21st, not having taken any nourishment since 
leaving City Point. He was so weak that it required two hours 
while lying on his back to pencil a short note to his wife, closing 
with, "In all this affliction the Lord is kind." That night the vomit- 
ing returned with increased pain and weakness. He believed that 
his life was at the time preserved by the gentle ministrations of a 
lady, a Sanitary Commission nurse, and to his dying day he re- 
gretted that in his enfeebled condition he forgot to secure her name 
and address, and since he could not remember it he was never after- 
ward able to thank her for her kindness. About the first of Sep- 
tember he was furloughed. Reaching his home in Orbisonia, to 
which place the family had removed after his enlistment, he was 
carried j;o bed. Tlie physician said that he could not live more 
than a few days. He had an intense craving for green vegetables. 
The surgeons had said that it would be almost instant death to eat any 
thing of this kind ; with this his home physician agreed. A few 
evenings after his home coming, his wife prepared sliced radishes 
for supper. From his bed he saw them on the table in an adjoining 
room and begged for a piece, however small. Told it would kill 
him, he replied, "They all say I must die anyhow and I might as 
well die eating what I want." His wife wont to the kitchen, he 
rolled out of l>ed, crawled to the table got a piece of radish, ate it 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 213 

and when she returned, she found him under the table in a state of 
collapse. All was excitement and consternation. The neighb(jrs 
helped to carry him back to bed. The physician was hurriedly 
summoned. He said he could not live until morning. In a little 
while the patient sank into a sleep, which all felt would have no 
waking. A former companion kept watch with the family. At ten 
o'clock he suggested that they retire and get some rest and he would 
call them wlien needed. That comrade, recently describing that 
night's vigil said he would never forget the thin hand, sunken eyes, 
skin drawn over the bony head, the neck wasted to only the thickness 
of the wrist, and tlie slow labored breathing of the sleeper. Long 
after midnight he suddenly awoke, turned his head and safd, 
V "Brother, that is the best sleep I have had for weeks. I am better. 
^ I am not doing to die. My work is not done yet," and in a few 
minutes he was again asleep. When the doctor came in the morn- 
ing and &a.w the change he exclaimed, "This is a miracle. I never 
saw the like of it. Eat all the green things you care to." Two 
or three days later he made a meal on sliced radishes, slept soundly 
all night, began to eat everything green he craved and in six weeks 
joined his Regiment. When he reached camp, one of the first 
persons he met was Surgeon Davis who asked in surprise: 

"Chaplain, how is this, we thought you were dead ?" 

He told his story and the surgeon answered, "Every surgeon 
in this Army would have said it would have killed you." 

"But, Surgeon," the Chaplain responded, "I am not a physician, 
but it seems to me that the opposite of that which produces disease 
should aid in curing it. Chronic diarrhoea is ordinarily produced 
by eating green, bulky matter, but with us it is caused by eating 
concentrated food, such as hardtack, pork and beef. If you would 
feed the men more potatoes and cabbage and less quinine it would 
be far better." 

The Surgeon replied, "Perhaps so." 

The Chaplain very naturally held to this theoiT to the end of 
his life and often told in support of it, how when two gallons of 
apple butter had been sent him from home, the boys begged the 
most of it from him and that it was better for them than medicine. 



214 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Also how one evening the Regiuiient camped near a corn field in 
the roasting ear period. The owner, who was a southern sympathizer, 
when the boys in blue were not around, asked for a guard to protect 
his field. The officer in posting the guard, said, "Understand, you 
are not to see any one taking com from this field tonight." The 
guard faithful to instructions saw no one taking corn, neither did 
the morning light see an ear of com left in that field. There were 
an unusual number of cases of diarrhoea in the Regiment, but within 
three or four days after that corn feast all had disappeared. 

With a soldier's natural pride in bis own command he con- 
sidered the 148th one of the best Regiments in the service; tlmt it 
was one of the model regiments of the famous Second Corps, and 
that purely from its soldicTly bearing and fighting qualities was 
General Hancock's favorite in the Division. He gave as illustra- 
tions of this its selection to carry tlie Spencer magazine rifles ; the 
many difficult and hazardous tasks required of it ; the fact that when 
a whole JSTew^ York brigade had been hurled back in an attempt to 
capture the enemy's position, the General indignantly declared that 
he had one regiment of Pennsylvanians who could alone do that 
work, and for the effect on other troops, he requested 
the commanding officer to put the Regiment through the 
manual of arms under fire, which they did as coolly and accm- 
ately as if on parade; also Colonel Fox's statement that the Regi- 
ment was one of the forty-five infantry regiments losing more than 
two hundred killed in action. Ten corps were represented in this roll 
of honor, the Second by twelve regiments, no other having more 
than seven. 

He attributed the high standing of the Regiment to three 
causes. First, its splendid material, being composed of hardy 
young men of more than average intelligence and character. One 
of the regiments of which President Lincoln said, ''I could pick 
out from among them a body of men competent to set up and run 
any government on the face of the earth." Second, tO' the character 
of the officers, especially Col. James A. Beaver. I can remember 
hearing a brother who was an officer in the Fifth Corps say to 
him, "Our regiment would have been as good as yours if we could 



» 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 215 

have had your Colonel." Third, the thorough drill and rigid 
discipline, especially that of the first fall and winter. He frequently 
related how while guarding the railroad at Cockeysville, when the 
enemy was reported to be near, some of the boys nearly fainted at 
the noise of a mouse in the leaves, the same men a few months 
later fighting like veterans in their first battle at Chancellorsville, 
and believed that had it not been for their splendid discipline 
the Eegiment would have been annihilated that day. Of that 
baptism of fire he writes fix)m "Camp near Falmouth, May 12, 
1863:" 

"On Friday, May 1st, the battle commenced on our right front 
one and onenhalf miles. We were ordered forward and by one 
o'clock we were one mile from Chancellorsville, formed in line of 
battle, remained in position a short time and then fell back to 
Chancellorsville, fonned in line, at which place we lost our first 
man. We buried him, advanced one-half mile and held our position 
until Saturday morning. We then fell back, formed a new line, 
held it during all the fighting on Saturday and Sauirday night. 
During all this time we had six companies out on picket in front, 
but had sustained but little loss — several wounded but three or'four 
killed. On Sunday the four companies, which were not on picket 
went into the battle on the right, where I suppose was the hardest 
fighting the world ever knew, and in less than an hour they came 
out to the rear with much less than half their numbers. Soou after 
this the battle ceased for fhat time. Our loss in the Rcginu.'ut is 
about one hundred and sixty. About forty killed, eight prisoners, 
remainder wounded. I spent today at the Division Hospital and the 
boys are generally doing well. I saw Brother Whippo and Wagner, 
they are both doing well. Wagner is wounded throngh the thigh. 
He is able to walk about. Daniel Woodring had his ainn amputated 
on Sunday last. He is doing well now. This makes six men in 
Company H who have lost an arm and I think there are not more 
than four or five in the whole Regiment besides. The rebs ajipeared 
to give Company H the hardest knocks somehow. I have now 
seen all of war and all of its awful consequences and still my 
mind is unchanged. I have the same desire to see the Army 
advance now, that I had before its last move. The salvation of the 
country depends upon vigorous effort. The Army is in fine spirits 
and came back in as good state of discipline and organization as 
when it crossed over, save its thinned ranks. The rebels shelled 
our hospital several times during the fight.' 



216 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

The first man killed in the Regiment, mentioned in this leitter, 
was Samuel H. Holloway, of Company D. A shell fired by one 
of onr own giins exploded immediately in the rear of the line, a 
piece of lead off the head struck the upper outside of his knapsack, 
passing down thi\)ugh and coming out of the lower inner edge, 
passing through his body and coming out in front. On his person 
was an ambrotype of his wife having upon its case the inscription. 
"A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right 
hand, but it shall not come nigh thee." Robert A. Cassidy took 
from his clothing, his effects and with the Chaplain prepared his 
body for burial, by rolling it in his blanket. ''Tine" Rumbarger 
and L. B. Bathurst dug the grave under a thorn or haw tree on the 
north side of the road. The Chaplain committed his body with the 
rites of the church, probably being the only soldier, who fell upon 
that field, who was thus buried. 

Daniel Woodring whose arm is mentioned as having been 
amputated, had an experience worthy of record as an example to 
this generation, as to how they suffered and endured in those days, 
that tried men's souls. At 3:00 p. m. Saturday, May 2d, with three 
others he was detailed from Company H and sent to the picket 
line near where General Miles had been wounded. Here they re- 
mained until daybreak May 3d, when they Avere ordered to rejoin 
their command, which they did just as the Regiment was falling in, 
and not in time to get anything to eat. In the engagement that 
immediately followed, Woodring was so severely wounded as to be 
unable to get from tlie field, but was carried to the Twelfth Corps 
Hospital. The woods in which it was located was soon heavily 
shelled and hurried preparation was made to move. Discovering 
that he was to be left behind, he called to the steward and asked 
to be taken along. The latter replied, "Lay there and die and be 

d , that will be the end of you anyhow." After the hospital 

was gone he turned on his face and by keeping his head low doAvn, 
managed to crawl dowTi the hill to where he heard running water, 
for which he intensely thirsted, but got into a hole made by a 
fallen tree and could not get out. About sundown the 124th Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers marched by. The Colonel step]>ed to the bank 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 217 

and asked what he was doing- thei*e. When tokl of his helpless eumli- 
tion, he took four men, made a stretcher of their muskets and ordered 
them to carry him to the road. When the road was reached it was at 
the point where the Twelfth Corps Hospital train was standing. 
When the bearers attempted to put him on an ambulance, the same 
steward swore they should not do so. The Chaplain of tlie 148th 
had just come up looking for the wounded of his Regiment. He 
told them to put him in. Again the steward in the same profane 
way objected, and blustering and swaggering, declared what he 
would do if it was attempted. Instantly the Chaplain's coat was 
oJ0F and telling the steward that he would grind him into the earth 
if he interfered, turned to the detail and said, "Put him in," which 
they prompty did while the steward swore and threatened but kept 
at a safe distance. The Chaplain then ordered the ambulance to 
the north bank of the river. Early Monday morning, the hospital 
there being shelled, Peter Frantz helped the wounded man to his 
own corps hospital tent, where an ambulance was starting for 
Potomac Creek, upon which he was placed. Upon arriving, there 
he was carried into a small tent, which afterwards was tied shut 
from the outside and the occupant forgotten, being too weak from 
loss of blood and lack of nourishment to make sufficient noise to be 
heard from the outside. Sunday, May 11th, he was discovered by a 
comrade, who out of curiosity looked into the tent. His wounded 
ann was full of maggots. Stimulants and a little food were given 
him, the first he had since May 2d, then only a cracker or two. In 
the afternoon his arm was amputated. He recovered and is still 
living. 

Five days after his first letter, the Chaplain again writes of 
this battle : 

"Our Corps is cut up most, being in the hottest of the fight- 
George T. Jones has come to life. He was wounded through the 
leg just above the ankle; bone was broken. He was a prisoner and 
is paroled. He with a number of others came to our General 
Hospital on Thursday last. The surgeons held a consultation yes- 
terday and decided that his leg must come off, but after they had 
him on the amputating table, through his entreaties, concluded to 
leave it a few days. I hope it will not have to come off. Many of 



218 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

our wounded and the wounded rebels burned to death. Those who 
came back had to crawl on their hands and knees to get out of the 
fire. Some of them had matches with which they set the leaves on 
fire and burned against the running fire and by that means saved 
•themselves, but they say some of the wounded men trying to get 
away fainted and fell into the fire. Poor fellows I This causes 
the heart to sicken." 

George T. Jones, referred to, made his escape from burning 
to death, through the kindness of a Confederate soldier. Shot 
several times, including a severe wound in the leg, unable to walk, 
the wood on fire all around him, he was in danger of burning to 
death, when he appealed for help to this Confederate who was 
charging past. He helped Jones up, told him to put his arms 
around his neck and hold on. This he did while the Confederate 
half dragged him along. When the order ran down the line, "Guide 
right," he obeyed and as Jones fell off, he told him what direction 
to crawl to escape the fire. General Lee not being able to care for 
the captured wounded, sent the worst injured back to their own lines 
under a flag of truce. Jones was among these. His leg never came 
off. He also still lives. 

His letters contain frequent references to the hardships, strug- 
gles and valor of the Regiment. October 18, 1863, from near Bull 
Run he writes : 

"We are packed and waiting for orders to fall in. It is two 
weeks since I have written and they have been weeks of great excite- 
ment. We have been marching and counter-marching all the time, 
day and night. You will have learned by this time that the Second 
Corps was roar giiard on the retreat from the Rapidan to this 
place. We were twice surrounded and cut our way out. On last 
Wednesday morning while we were^ cooking our breakfast, the rebs 
opened a battery on us, throwing shells directly into our ranks. We 
soon make them skedaddle, but 'had four or five men killed and 
several wounded in the Division, two were slightly wounded in the 
Regiment. In the afternoon, just as the column reached Bristoe Sta- 
tion, the rebs pitched out on the railroad in our front, when a brisk 
fight took place. Our boys went in and the enemy soon ran. The 
Regiment had two wounded in this engagement, one having an 
arm torn off by a shell. We have had a numlx^r of brushes with the 
enemy since we reached this position, but now he seems to have 
left us, whether he has gone back to the Rappahannock or toward 
Pennsvlvania, we do not know." 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 219 

May 16, 1864, he says: 

"We broke camp on the evening of the 3d, crossed the Rapidan 
River at Ely's Ford on the morning of tiie -Ith and camped on the 
old Chanoeliorsville battlefield. Yesterday morning we resumed the 
march and arrived in line in the afternoon. The battle raged furi- 
ously from 3 :00 p. m. until after dark and opened at daylight this 
morning and continued until about 10 :00 a. m., since which time 
all has been quiet except a little burst occasionally on the front 
line. We have driven the enemy and held the field. Four-thirty 
o'clock: The battle is raging again. The musketry is desperate. 
Saturday morning, 7tli: The battle last evening did not last over 
an hour, but was very destructive. There has not been much fight- 
ing this morning." 

May 11th: 

'T am safe and well but Brother David has fallen. He was 
killed in a charge on Sunday evening (the 8th). Brother Frank 
came to our hospital this morning. He and I rode to the grave, 
Frank having buried him on Monday morning. He was shot 
through the body. We have not seen any person who saw him after 
he was wounded, but he evidently lived for some time, as he had 
l)een carried to the rear on his own blanket. He was dead when 
Frank found him. The shot was falling so heavily about the grave 
that we were compelled to leave our horses in shelter and creep to 
it. This is the seventh day of the battle and it still rages desper- 
ately. We have fought hard all day. The battle is going most 
furiously now." 

Two days later from near Spotsylvania Court House, he 
writes : 

"Yesterday was the most terrible day I ever witnessed. The 
battle commenced at or before four o'clock in the morning and 
continued all day. The skirmish line was engaged all night and is 
still fighting. The battle opened yesterday morning with a charge 
by our Corps in which they captured the enemy's works, with cannon 
and everything on that part of their line. We got many prisoners 
and three Generals. The slaughter was awful. We received nine hun- 
dred wounded into our Division Hospital during the day. We lost 
heavily in our Regiment yesterday, about seventy-five. Our officers 
have come off well. The Lieutenant Colonel is missing but may 
turn up. All is quiet at this time, 8 :00 a. m., except on the skirmish 
line where there is constant musketry fire. I must close and go and 
see the wounded." 



220 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

May liGtli while sitting uu the ground, lie wrote: 

"We this day eommenced the fourth week of the hght. 1 his 
ib the 22d day and we have fought more or less every day. We 
have now advanced to the North Anna River. Our Corps on 
Friday night of last week marched from the Court House by a 
circuitous rotite, some thirty miles and came in on the enemy's 
flank, who made haste to leave. Sunday we lay quiet while the 
other corps followed the enemy. Monday morning we fell into 
the line of march and came up to the enemy in the e\'ening, who 
was strongly fortified on the sotith side of the river. Our boys 
charged and drove him out of his works. Tuesday our lines ad- 
vanced one mile from the river. All was quiet ^^esterday, except 
skirmishing and some shelling. Nothing doing today, except 
skirmishing. Though a great deal of cannonading there was not as ; 
mudi musketry firing in this fight as usual, consequently our loss 
is not heavy. The report is that we are going to flank again by 
way of the Pamunkey River, and by way of the Wliite House en- 
deavor to reach Richmond. The railroad from Fredericksburg to Rich- 
mond is now being destroyed ; this indicates a change of base. The 
trains have now begun to move which indicates that the troops will 
move at dark this evening." 

Five days later he says: 

''Since I last wrote we have marched around the enemy's right 
flank again and have crossed the Pamunkey River, some distance 
above the White House. We are within twelve miles of Richmond. 
We have not had a general engagement since we came here, but 
had very hard skiiTnish fighting yesterday and last night and some 
heavy cannonading. I left the front this morning to get my horse 
shod and am now on the bank of the river, six miles in the rear of 
the line and there is no\v heavy cannonading at the front. T s-ujv 
pose we shall have to fight every foot of the way to Richmond now," 

On the day of Cold Harbor he writes : wL 

"This has been a desperate day. Our forces charged the 
enemy in their intrenchments this morning and captured the first 
line. The lines are within a few rods of each other now and neither 
can stick their heads up for fear of being shot. Our Regiment has 
sufi'ered heavily today. This is the thirtieth day of the fight and 
more desperate than any other. We are still driving the enemy, 
but it is by inches. They fight dasperately. I scarcely know how 
any escape. On some of the battlefields there is hardly a tree or 
bush that is not cut to pieces with balls." 

Tlie letter of Juno 7th contains these suggestive statements-. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 221 

*"We this iiiorning euter upon tlie thirty -fourth clay of the 
strife. Our lines are not materially changed from what they were 
when 1 last wrote. We seem to be preparing for a siege and are 
building forts and digging in trench men ts, in fact are digging under 
the enemy's works. We may have another Vicksburg artair. Our 
losses for several days have not been so heavy as fonnerly, but our 
Regiment has lost fifty men since we crossed the Pamunlcey, most 
of them we lost on the 3d. W© have lost in all three hundred and 
fifty men. There are but three men with the Regiment of all I 
brought with me from Bald Eagle. Sergeant Fugate, Corporal 
Bumgardner and Private Farnsler. McDonald is dea<l. He is the 
only one of my men who was dangerousl}' wounded. There were 
six Colonels in our Brigade when we started from camp, now our 
Colonel is the only one left. One was discharged, one captured, 
one wounded and two killed. We have also lost three or four Lieu- 
tenant Colonels. I trust the strife that has caused our Nation and 
individuals such heart rending agony and grief may soon close and 
Oh ! with what delight I could welcome that day." 

June 30th : 

^'W© have been quiet on the left of the line for six days. There 
has been some skimiishing and cannonading on the right of Appo- 
mattox River, near Petersburg. Our part of the line is five miles 
south of that city. We have less than two hundred men out of eight 
hundred. We ha^'e had a number captured. We lost one Lieutenant 
and two Captains on the 22d. We supposed they were all captured 
but the body of one of the Captains has been found on the skirmish 
line." 

December 11th he wrote to his sister: 

"Within a few weeks we have changed camp six times in rain 
and mud. The weather is cold now and requires the erection of 
chimneys in our quarters. We had a snow, or more of a sleet on 
the night of the 8th, a portion of which is still on the ground, in 
consequence of which this has been to me a lonely Sabbath. We 
could not hold services and the day has been cold, damp and dreary, 
but now at nine o'clock the stars shine forth all beautiful aud 
lovely as though no hostile armies were encamped beneath them. 
We may have better weather and Oh! how I desire it, knowing as 
1 do that manv of our brave boys are far from camp at this time. 
Think of a pelting sleet such as you have in old Pennsylvania some- 
times, and imagine yourself out in the woods or fields with a little 
shelter tent and one blanket, without fire and you have a faint 
flescription of camping this season of the year." 



222 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

He tlien mentions recent movements of the troops tlirougli 
and fighting in the snow and mud, and says : 

"In all this last move, our Eegiment has been highly favored, 
owing to the fact that we garrison forts, we were left on the line, 
and did not break camp. We are now as a Corps on the extreme 
left, having left the front of Petersburg two weeks ago and our 
Kegiment now garrisons Forts Sampson and Gregg. 1 think our 
Regiment is being favored on account of their daring deed on the 
evening of October 27th, in which one hundred of them charged 
and captured one of the enemy's strongest forts in front of Peters- 
burg." 

Captain J. Z. Brown, who led tliis assault, said while sitting 
in the Chaplain's quarters after his return from the leave of absence, 
granted as a partial reward for his gallant deed, "Chaplain, it is 
all very nice to be Major, sent home, have receptions and dinners 
tendered you, have your portrait in Harper's Weekiy as the hero 
of Fort Crater, but wdien I was ordered to go in there that night 
I felt I was receiving my deatli sentence, but I wais an Ainei'ican 
soldier and my duty was to unhesitatingly obey orders, but the 
next time General Miles or General Hancock or any of the rest 
of them have a job like that on hand, they are welcome to do it 
themselves, I have had glory enough.'' 

March 31, 1865, he writes in regard to the last campaign: 

"On the evening of the 28th we received orders to move at six 
o'clock in the morning, accordingly we marched on the morning 
of the 29th, moving by the left llank. On the afternoon of that 
day we found Johnny and drove him back toward the South Side 
Railroad. Yesterday we advanced one mile and found the enemy 
strongly intrenched, but there was not much fighting done on account 
of the rain which fell in torrents all day. Reports say that little 
Phil. Sherdian has cut the railroad on our left. I know that he 
marched in tluit direction and I am inclined to believe the rumor." 

On tlie same shoot of ])apor, the back of a company quarterly 

returns of enlistments, next morning, Saturday, April 1st, he adds: 

''Soon after I finished writing yesterday morning- a furious 
battle commenced, which continued with short intervals, until dark, 
vt which time the enemy had been driven a mile. Our Regiment 
suffered severely as usual. I do not know the number of casualties. 
Our Adjutant was shot dead.* The Captain commanding the Regi- 

*This refers to Lieutenant Everhart who had been Acting Adjutant but was 
then in command of C Company. — (Editor.) 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 223 

ment was shot through the heel, one Lieutenant was slightly- 
wounded, the color bearer was killed just as he was planting the 
colors on the enemy's works. All is quiet this morning except a 
little practice on the skirmish line. It has ceased to rain and the 
weather is fine but the roads are very bad." 

That night soon after dark, the Kegiment quietly moved for- 
ward in line of battle, lie essayed to go with them when the officer 
in command said : 

"Chaplain, this is no place for you; you will be needed at the 
hospital before morning." 

"What is up V 

"I do not know, but 1 believe the Confederacy will fall to- 
night," 

He went to his quarters, fell asleep and a little after midnight 
was awakened by the crash of artillery. It made him so nervous 
that the comrade at his side noticed it and asked : 

"Chaplain, are you cold f ' 

"No." 

"Are you sick, you tremble on ?" 

"No, the fight tonight has kind of stirred me up. That is the 
heaviest cannonading I have heard since Gettysburg." 

The impression had fastened upon him that what the officer 
had said was true. The discharges began to come in volleys. He 
knew that one line was falling back, standing and falling back 
^again, but which one'^ He arose and stood at the door of his 
quarters until he perceived that the volleys were getting farther 
away, then lay down. When he awoke it was morning. An orderly 
dashed past to the hospital. He heard the order given to move. 
Rushing to him he asked : 

"Where is the Second Corps ?" 

"I do not know, perhaps in Kichmond." 

"Have they been captured f 

"No, man ; don't you know Petersburg has fallen ?" 

Obtaining leave to join tlie Regiment, he and Jim were soon 
on their way, leaving the mess to care for the camp outfit. 



224 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

lie kept with the Regiment to the end. On the march General 
Sheridan dashed by shouting, "Go in boys, we have just captured 
3,000 of them down here and old General Early among them.'' 

April 7th, at Farmsville, while talking with Brigade Bugler 
Joseph H. Law, that battle opeaied. Law had just spoken of his 
home, his wife and little boy of four years whom he had not seen 
since his enlistment, and of how anxious he was to see them and 
said, "Chaplain, Lee is on his last legs, lie will surrender in a day 
or two and then we shall soon get home." He turned and rode into 
the battle and in a few minutes a solid shot swept his head from his 
shoulders, the last man to fall in the Regiment. 

General Lee's surrender was announced by General Meade, 
hat in hand, white hair flying in the wind, shouting with every leap 
of his horse, which apparently was as much excited as the rider, 
"They have surrendered! They have surrendered!" 

Then came the shock of the assassination of President Lincoln 

of which he writes 

"It is astonishing what a change has come over the minds of the 
men composing the Army since the assassination of President Lin- 
coln. Before tJiat horrible act was perpetrated, four-iiftlis of the 
soldiers would have been satisfied with peace on the simple terms of 
submission uj)on the part of the So\ith and perhaps the execution of 
Jeif Davis, could he have been arrested, but now every man demands 
the execution of all. The enlisted men of the rebel Army are 
treated kindly bj^ the soldiers. They do not appear to recognize them 
a? enemies l)ut woe be to the leaders if they ever fall into soldiers' 
hands." 

Then came the illumination of Richmond Heights and the 
march backA\'ard over the old battlefields, an incident of which was 
an old negro dancing by the road side and singing an im- 
promptu song, "Press d© Lawd Massa Lincum's got the biggest drove 
dis time," with the refrain, 

"If you' git dar befo' I do. 

Tell Uncle Abe I's comin' too," 
while the boys piled liis hat, arms and the ground about him full of 
hard tack. 

From Burkesville, Virginia, April 28th, he wrofo his wife: 

"My girl is baking pies this afternoon, an<l 1 have had my sew- 
ing in my hands all dav and feelinjr tired have concluded to write. 



THE i48rH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 225 

I have looked forward to the time whicli might eLapse between the 
cessation of hostilities, and our discharge, with some degree of dread, 
but I did not think of that time being so long. I thoug^it Lee would 
put up a stiifer fight this snring than he did and that he would not 
be conquered until in the summer. If we have to wait for our dis- 
charge, until our term of enlistment expires, four months hence, the 
time will grow very monotonous, for soldiers live on excitement. In 
my dreams last night I thought myself in your company, before we 
were married and we were making arrangements for the wedding. 
This was getting rather behind hand." 

Frequently in his letters and conversation he refen-ed to the 
homesickness, hinted at here, that came over men in tiie Regiment, 
how he had seen men die from it, had taken them into his quarters 
and had tried to cheer them up, felt that no one who had not experi- 
enced it could realize the depressing effect it had on a soldier's life 
and believed this and not cowardice or lack of true patriotism would 
explain most of the desertions. Homesickness at this time was 
especially prevalent among the recniits of the last winter who now 
believed that the original members of the Regiment would be dis- 
charged in August while they would have to remain longer. Ap- 
parently later he closes the letter quoted above with : 

"Nfews has iust reached us, of the surrendei- of General John- 
son to General Grant on the same tenns that General Lee received. 
This closes up the scene and we may soon get home." 

The pie baking girl referred to was "Tine" Runib;n-ger. and 
the sewing probably that of repairing his coat. The Regiment had 
an enviable reoutation for neatness and cleanliness. Because of this 
as well as their soldierly bearing it was not unusual for them to bi- 
taken for resrulars. The Colonel's orders in this respect were like 
those of the Medes and Persians — imperative. His inspections were 
thorough to the minutest detail. To groups of old soldier friends, 
the Chaplain often humorously related how there was one young 
man in the Regiment in its early history, who was exceedingly un- 
tidy. He would come to Sunday morning inspection in a generally 
unkempt condition, including' dirty hands, neck and ears. He was 
often warned, advised and reproved but his appearance did not im- 
prove. One morning the Colonel ordered him out of line and to 



226 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

his tent. When inspection was over an orderly summoned the yoiing 
fellow to the regimental headquarters, where Colonel Beaver with 
coat off, sleeve© rolled up and an abundance of soap and water 
waited to receive him. When the delinquent ap])eared he mildly 
said to him : 

"I want to wash you." 

"But, Colonel, 1 can wash myself." 

"No you cannot, for no young man would go as tiltliy as you do 
if he could wash himself." 

And there in the presence of a good share of the Regiment he 
gave the fellow such a scnibbing as he never forgot and was not 
necessary to repeat. This habit of cleanliness followed the Kegimeut 
to the last. While lying at Alexandria, waiting to be mustered out, 
the Cbaplain had one of the few wash basins in camp, nearly every 
thing of that kind having been cast aside on the long march from 
Richmond. It was in almost constant use. An Irish woman came 
into the camp selling fruit. A few minutes after she had left the 
vicinity of the Chaplain's quarters an officer rushed in exclaiming: 

"Chaplain did you give that woman your wash basin ?" 

"No, I did not." 

"Did you sell it to her ?" 

"No, what is wrong ?" 

"Then she stole it, for she has carried it off." 

"Well, then you must catch her and get it, or go dirty." 

The officer dashed out of the tent and after a lively sprint over- 
took the woman and charged her with stealing the Chaplain's wash 
basin. She indignantly denied the accusation. He jerked up her 
apron, when the basin, \^^hich had been concealed thereunder, fell 
to the ground. 

While a private was not excused if he failed in neatness, for 
an officer to appear shabby, could not be tolerated and was nearly 
nil unparddualilc offense. In the case of the coat referred to, its 
front had l)ocome badly worn. The Regiment had not been paid for 
fonr months. There was neither money nor opportunity to get a 
new coat, and he resorted to the expedient of cutting a piece off the 
tail, which was long and in good condition. Witli this piece he 



THE i48rH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 227 

faced the front. Another economical expedient resorted to, to niain- 
tain the standard of dress, was to buy paper collars, wear them un- 
til soiled, then split them and by turning the inside out make one 
serve as long as three. 

June 3d, the anniversary of Cold Harbor, came their discharge, 
with the glad cry, "Boys this is not a year ago," and the 148th deeds 
of courage, devotion and suffering had become history. Two or 
three nights later three boys, bare legged and bare footed, in their 
night shirts, tumbled out of bed and ran into the street to welcome 
their father, to be ordered back to get their clothes on. Later that 
night after a united family supper, family prayer was held. God 
was thanked both for his protection in the hour of danger and the 
country's safety, not forgetting a tender petition for the loved ones 
of those who came not again and a plea for the comrades scattered 
to their own homes, that they may be eternally reunited. 



THE ADJUTAi\T'S STORY. 

By Adjutant J. W. Muffly. 

On an August day in 1862, during a college vacation, as I sat 
at dinner at the home of my sister, Mrs. Hiram Baker, in tlie village 
of Howard, a wagon load of men passed in front of the house, soon 
followed by another and still others until it grew into a procession. 
This was my first sight of a part of the material that was to make 
up seven companies of the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

The war fever, which had been disturbing my studies at Dick- 
inson Seminary, was so intensified by the sight that I said, "My time 
has come," and bidding my friends a hasty good-bye, I hired a team 
and drove after the procession to Lock Haven. My acquaintance in 
Centre County, at that time was quite limited. I had lived for three 
years, from 1856 to 1859, in the state of Illinois, and after my return 
had spent the years (except when teaching school) at Williamsport. 
But at White's Hotel I found Capt. James F. Weaver, with whom 
I had some acquaintance, and I at once enlisted, August 21, 1862, as 
a private in his company (afterward B), and went with that com- 
pany to Camp Curtin. 

While awaiting mu&t€ir-in at Ifarrisburg, I formed the acquain- 
tance of a Captain Johnson, a very genial gentleman, evidently a good 
soldier, who had seen hard service, having been slightly crippled by 
a wound and who was seeking a 'Commission as Colonel of one of the 
new regiments. He was pleased to show quite an interest in me, and 
after several very pleasant interviews, he said to me one day : 

"Young man, you ought not to go out as a private. You can 
serve your country better in some other capacity. You would make 
a good Sergeant Major." 

T promptly exposed my ignorance by saying, "And what might 
that be ?" 




ADJUTANT JOSEPH W. MUFFLY 



UH 



THE 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 229 

His explanation of the nature and duties of that unpretentious 
position stirred me up to some moderate degree of ambition of which 
I had been up to that moment, patriotically and igiiorantly innocent. 
He was good enough to say further, that if he should be made Colonel 
of tJie Regiment — whicb he very much desired — he would appoint 
me to thiat office. This, of course, was not to be. The Regiment had 
but one choice for its commander. And so my modest little new-born 
ambition was left to the chance favor of a perfect stranger, whom I 
had never seen and with whom I had no sort of ''pull." In due 
time Colonel Beaver was given his discharge from the 45th and his 
commission as Colonel of the 148th, and at once assumed command. 
I was introduced to the Colonel by a relative connected with the 
Adjutant General's office, and made known my wish, saying some- 
thing about my being able to procure a recommendation from the line 
officers — a thing which I myself thought very doubtful because of my 
limited acquaintance^ — and I was therefore very glad when he said : 

"You need not trouble about any reennimendation — I shall make 
tbe appointmenton merit. I want some one in that place who is scholar 
enough to formulate an order when I give him the points, and who 
can keep the records and accounts of the Regiment neatly and cor- 
rectly. Send me a letter of application, enclosing with it a 'Morning 
Report,' and I will see about the appointment." 

I was glad to be relieved of the task of getting recommendations, 
but my next thought was, "But I am to be put upon my merits. I 
have never written a military letter — never saw one and know nothing 
whatever about Morning Reports." But I went down town, got a 
copy of Army Regulations, hunted up the forms of letters and re- 
ports and wrote the letter, ruled up a fonn of report and filled it up 
with imaginary figures of an imaginary regiment and sent the docu- 
ment in. The result is contained in tbe following: 

"Headquarters 148th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Cookeysville, Maryland, September 13, 1862. 
(Order No. 1.) 

(Extract.) 
1. The 1-1 8th Re-^iment Pennsylvania Volunteers has been 
organized by the appointment of the following officers who are hereby 
annonrced as conatitntina" the field and staff" of the Regiment. 



250 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

2. The non-commissioned staff are announced as follows: 

Sergeant Major Joseph W. Muffly. 
******** 

By command of Coi,. Ja,\[es A. Beaver. 

(Signed) Robert Lipton, 

First Lieutenant and Adjutant." 

And this is hoAv I got into the 148th and how I came to be its 
first Sergeant Major. So I seem to have blundered into one of the 
finest regiments under the flag, commanded by a Colonel who had no 
superior and few equals, and thus came to share in its splendid record 
and its notable achievements. I am sure that I voice the sentiment 
of every man who served in the Regiment, when I say that our greatest 
pride and highest honor in life is in the fact that we served in the 
148th Pennsylvania Volunteers. The summary of my experience in 
the Regiment has always seemed to me somewhat unusual. I en- 
listed as a private, probably the last of the original recruits, with no 
purpose or hope other than to carry a musketi in the ranks. Yet I 
never carried a gun for an hour, never did an hour's guard or picket 
duty, never was sick a day, never missed a battLe or skirmish in which 
the Regiment was engaged prior to my discharge, was never seriously 
wounded, was hit three times — twice just hard enough to give me a 
short leave of absence, and tlirough the entire tenn was called 
to serve in lines that were less arduous and more agreeable than fell 
to the lot of many. 

Our Regiment, as above intimated, began its field service at 
Cockeysville Station fifteen miles north of Baltimore on the Xorthorn 
Central Railroad. Our duty was guarding the line of rail\va\. 
Whether our service was of any use whatever in that direction, I do 
not know and never did. But I do know that our three months at 
Gockeysville resulted in the evolution of a thousand good citizens into 
a regiment of soldiers, perfect in appearance, drill, discipline and 
esprit de corps. It had come to be — A REGrlMEXT. It was a mili- 
tary unit — an engine of war — a fighting machine. This condition 
was not the result of good luck or chance, exce]>t in so far as our 
three months as a detached post afforded the op]>ortunity. Tt was 
the logical outgrowth of the most ]">erfect discipline a]>pHod to the 
very l-)est of material. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 231 

The organization of the Regiment at that time is shown by the 
roster and muster rolls, which will be found in succeedingt pages. 

This body of men — field, staff, line, rank and file — was made 
up of the sober, solid, intelligent business and professional men and 
the bright boys from farm, shop, store, school room and college. 
They were largely native bora, with a minority of the best foreign 
born citizens. In common with a million and more of their fellow 
countrymen, they had sacrificed the endearments of home, the pleas- 
ures of society, the interests of business, the ambition of students, for 
the privations, hardships, danger and humiliations of a soldier's lot — 
all tliis for the flag, for freedom and the rights of man. 

The regimental camp was established on a tract of woodland slo}> 
ing toward the railway track a few rods below the station. The Col- 
onel's headquarters and Adjutant's office were located in adjoining 
rooms in a board "shanty" at the station near the track. Later on six of 
the companies were detached and |X)sted at jwints above and below the 
station. We were now in what was known as the Middle Department 
(Eighth Army Corps), under command of Major General John E. 
Wool, headquarters at Baltimore. 

Then began a systematic course of drill, discipline, training and 
education of officers and men that would have done credit to a grad- 
uate of West Point after years of active service. It was characterized 
by a punctilious and rigid attention to every detail of the require- 
ments of army regulatio'US and current orders. A field desk was pro- 
cured for the Adjutant's office. A full supply of regimental books 
and blanks was ordered and soon received. Adjutant Lipton was a 
man in failing health, who, I believe, had seen hard service in an- 
other command. He was a brave man and no doubt a good soldier, 
but he was not only broken in health, but he had no fondness for office 
work. For these reasons, I suppose it was, that when our books and 
blanks came, Colonel Beaver placed them in my charge and gave me 
a thorough course of instruction in the forms and methods of reports 
and records, closing with the earnest injunction, "Now, Sergeant 
Major, be very careful, neglect nothing that is required, make no 
mistakes. I would not have a rejx>rt returned to this Regiment for 
correction for EIVE HU:NrDRED DOLLARS," and he spoke the last 



252 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

tliree words in such large capitals that they kept me treiubliiig f . v n 
week. So there I was — a green Sergeant Major, having to deal with 
ten First Sergeants, most of them as inexperienced as I, and some of 
them without much clerical skill. But we managed to get on to- 
gether and keep each other straight, so that as far as the Colonel knew 
no report was ever returned to tlie 148th for correction, and so far as 
I knew but one trivial error was ever made in our reports. 

The school of instruction for oiSioers was promptly opened, and 
remained a permanent factor in the Regiment. From the first day 
of service to the end, every officer was required, and if need be, com- 
pelled to make and forward promptly, every re]>ort of every kind 
required. Especial stress was laid upon property returns, so that 
officers' accounts with the Government were always complete and v 
to date. The daily routine of duty and details was at once established 
and faithfully continued to the end. Reveille, guard mount, picket 
duty, camp and headquarter guard, camp police, dress parade, tattoo 
and taps followed each other as regularly as the sun. A fine drum 
corps of ten fifes, ten kettle drums, a bass drum and several buglers, 
under the skillful direction of Bob Cassidy added life, inspiration 
and beauty to our dress parades and other movements. Officers and 
men were always fully armed, uniformed anVl equipped — ^and the 
uniform was UNIFORM. A slouch hat was an aibomination in the 
Regiment, and not one was ever seen on dress parade. 

The headquarter guard was always composed of jueked iitcii — 
at least for a time, for it was not long before all the men were picked. . 
Companies very soon learned that it was useless to send anyone who 
was not up to the standard of absolute neatness and soldierly bear- 
ing. Such were sure to be sent back to their companies. The Colonel 
was ubiquitous. The eye and hand of a master were everywhere in 
evidence, Nothing escaped his uotiee. Alert, forceful, earnest — 
stern at times, so we thought, impulsive but with magnificent self- 
control, always a gentleman, he did not know the taste of liqum- and 
he never uttered a profane word. I haive so far emphasized the 
splendid charaeter of the material side of our training. We all re- 
member how old veterans passing by on the train seeing our clean and 
well arranged camp, the sentinel ou the beat in front of the Colonel's 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 233 

quarters and all the evidences of perfect order, would inquire what 
regiment of regulars it was. Said one of them, "Regulars ?" "No, 
Volunteers." "Aw, grab a root, what do you take me for ?" 

A single incident will illustrate one method of enforcing disci- 
pline. The Colonel was sitting in the doorway of his quarters one 
morning when a Captain and a Lieutenant from one of the companies 
up the line came down tO' call on him. They sauntered up toward 
the sentinel's beat, who promptly halted, faced outward and came to 
a salute. The officers heedlessly crossed the beat and had got half 
way up to the door when Beaver thundered out, "Gentlemen, do you 
see that sentinel ? You can't come in here that way. Go back, go 
right back across that beat, and acknowledge the salute. If I were a 
soldier and saluted an officer and he did not recognize it, I would 
never salute him again." And they were obliged to retire and cor- 
rect the error. I am sure neither they nor the soldier ever forgot 
the lesson. 

But there was something deeper and more commendable in all 
this rigid drill than any of us realized at the time. It was not the 
mere love of power, not the pride of command, not even the ambition 
to gain reputation, makei a name and win promotion. Later on, and 
more and more as the years go on, we see that underlying all this 
severe discipline and apparent sterness, was a high sense of the re- 
sponsibility of a Colonel for the lives, and health, and morals, and 
reputation of a thousand good men, all dependent upon his capacity 
and fidelity. For just so surely as it is "Like priest, like people," so 
is it, "Like Colonel, like regiment." I well remember how we had 
been imposed upon by the Government in our armament. We were 
furnished with the old Vincennes musket with saber bayonet — a 
clumsy gun, sure to be more dangerous at tlie breech than at the 
muzzle. Colonel Beaver had them inspected and condemned. He 
then set to work to have them replaced. He wrote letters to every- 
body, pleading and threatening, sayingi in one of them that he had a 
regiment of as good men as ever took the oath of service, but that he 
would never consent to lead them into action to be helplessly mur- 
dered with no chance tO' defend themselves. And there was no rest 
for anybody in authority until we got our Springfields. 



254 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

So, too, we remember how he weeded out a number of men who 
"were physically unfit for service. He demanded a re-examination of 
these men, who, as he wrote, "had been passed by the carelessness of 
a drunken examiuinu' surgeon," and ])ersisted in his efforts until 
they had all been discharged. 

These are but illustrations of that constant scrupulous care for 
the wants and needs of the men, and of that intelligent attention to 
details, which secured f()r them every attainable thing that men ought 
to have. There is much in a good start. We got a good start at 
Cockeysville and w^e came to the end of our service there with a regi- 
mental character well formed. We were fixed in soldierly habits of 
drill, obedience, orderly conduct and regimental pride that remained 
witli, us all through the service, that stood the test of fire and blood 
and gave character and reputation to the 148t]i Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers to the last day of its service. 

The achievements and the record made by the Regiment are 
facts of history wcli known to all who are at all familiar with the 
events of the Civil War, and if there could be any sort of question 
about it, a single incident will tell the whole story. In ''Fox's Regi- 
mental Losses," at page 302, the author closes his sketch of oair Regi- 
ment with these words : 

''In Sep'teniber, 1804, the War Department ordered that one 
regiment in each Division should be armed wuth breech-loading rifles ; 
the 148th Reg-iment was selected by General Hancock as the deserv- 
ing one in its Division to be thus armed." 

I have tlierefore aimed, thus far in my story, not so much to set 
ffu-tli the fact that we had an exceptionally good regiment with a 
most brilliant and honorable record, as to try to show how it came 
about. I write in the cool retrospect of forty years, and in the mellow 
light of ouv autumnal days, with no motive or purpose to fawn or 
flatter; but as the meni( tries of the old days of our glorious past rise 
before me, I see again the s]>lendid line <>f the 148th on dress parade. 
The tiroop beats off, the men come to the slioulder and I march do\\ni 
tiie liiiC to the center and out to the front, and as I tura and command, 
"Pre.sent arms," T stand between the men and the commander — the 
two factors iu our service, our glory niul oiir pride. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 235 

The following incident is from Burr's Life of Gen. James A. 
Beaver : 

Beaver was in love with his Keginient and his duty, protected 
and cared for it with great earnestness, and this spirit breaks out in all 
his letters to his friends, and his official communioations, with a force 
— even an ati'ection — which military discipline forbade him to mani- 
fest to the men. A little episode will illustrate this feature of his 
character. 

The Qnartermaster of the Keginient, a modest man, new to mili- 
tary life, went to Baltimore to draw supplies from Colonel Belger, 
then Chief Quartermaster there. Belger was a blustering officer of 
the Regiilar Army, who took delight in brow-beating a volunteer 
officer when he could. Irritated by sonu'thing the Quartermaster said 
or did, or neglected to say or do, Colonel Belger gave the officer a 
round cursing. The volunteer Quartermaster retired in dismay, and 
went back to camp without transacting his business to report the 
occurrence to Colonel Beaver. The indignity put ujxtn his Regiment 
aroused tlxe Colonel. The very next morning early found him in 
Baltimore, walking into Colonel Belger's office with blood in his eye. 
Approaching that auaust personag'e, he saluted him and said : 

''Are you Colonel Belger ?" 

''T am !" was the gruff reply. "Who are you ?" 

"1 am Colonel Beaver, of the 148th Pennsylvania," was the 
reply. 

"Well, sir, what can I do for you ?" 

''Yesterday, sir, I sent my Quartermaster here to transact some 
business with you. He is a gentleman, sir, and entitled to be treated 
as such. He reports to me that you cursed him, and refused to at- 
tend to his business. T am here to say to you, sir, that wdiatcver 
swearing is to be done at the 148th Regiment must be done at me. I 
will never permit regnilar or volnntoor officer to illtreat the humblest 
man in my Reo'iment." 

Colonel Belger, findin"^- that ho had waked up the wrong man, 
undertook to ex]ilain his rudeness of the day before. The business 
was attended to. and thereafter the 148th had no trouble with Colonel 
Boluer. 

The days of our regimental scliooling at Cockeysville ended on 
the 9th of December, with orders to join the Army of the Potomac 
at the front. We went by rail to Washington, stopping at Baltimore 
on the way, where we were lodged and fed by the Fnion Relief Asso- 
ciation. At Washington we found there was no trans]X)rtation for us, 
and we started on our first lonii' march — the maiTh to the front. We 



236 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

made some ten miles in the fraction of a daj, and bivouacked in the 
woods. Here our gallant Colonel met his first and only defeat. It 
must not be supposed that all the officers and men would or did sub- 
mit to all the requirements of strict discipline without any of the im- 
patience common to all new recruits. Of course there had been more 
or less gTumbling all along, and there was one requirement that met 
a more serious resistance than all others. Finding that regulations 
required enlisted men to wear shoulder scales, and being resolved that 
the Regiment should lack no single point of a full equipment. Colonel 
Beaver had ordered and insisted on our wearing them. The men had 
submitted with ill-concealed aversion, and on the morning after our 
first night on the march the first squad who went out for water, took 
their scales along and left them in a ravine. Others followed their 
example. Presently, abandoning all efforts at concealment, they 
went in squads and platoons and boldly threw the scales down the 
hill. When we resumed the march there was not a shoulder scale 
left in the Regiment. The camp was always known thereafter as 
"Scale Hill." This incident passed without a word of comment, so 
far as I ever knew, on the Colonel's part. 

We arrived at Acquia Creek Landing on a raw December day, 
cold, tired and hungry, having escaped the slaiTghter at Fredericks- 
burg (which it was probably intended we should have shared) by 
reason of the lack of transportation from Washington. We marched 
to the front, passing through the camps of the torn and bleeding 
fragTucnts of the Army, greeted on every hand with the inquiry, 
"What brigade of regulars is that ?" We were assigned to the First 
Brigade, First Division, Second Corps, and went at once into camp. 

Tn this connection, T quote again from "Burr's Life of General 
James A. Beaver:" 

The smoke had just lifted off the battlefield of Fredericksburg. 
The Army of the Potomac had shrimk back to its encampment on 
the northern bank of the Rappahannock, out of the bloody tub-like 
space into which Lee had tumbled Burnside's force from off the 
heights of Fredericksburg, stormed with matchless, yet fruitless 
valor. The fight had torn gi'eat rents in the organization of the 
Army, shattered its confidence, broken its ranks, here and there 
proved its weakness, turned the thoughts of all men towards another 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 237 

winter of patient preparation in camp and on parade. Nothing was 
left but by slow, patient discipline to prepare again for action the 
great Army defeat had dislocated. 

It was ait this juncture that a Colonel of volunteers, not^ yet 
twenty-four years of age, first caught the attention of General Han- 
cock, who records now the matured judgment of years in passing 
upon the military record of the young officer who reported to him 
for duty on a dull December day in 1862, with an urgent) plea to be 
put where distinction was to be had. 

He had just arrived at the front, with a full regiment of Penn- 
sylvanians, when he rod© up to General Haiicock's headquarters. 
He looked young enough to have passed for a student on his vacation. 
Lithe, straight, soldierly, with a bearing of a man and the pale, 
beardless face of a boy, he carried on his shoulders the eagles won in 
eighteen months of actual service, which had placed him at the head 
of a Regiment mostly raised in the county which knew him best. To 
his hands had his neighbors and folk, near whom his kin had lived 
for over a century, committed their townsmen. 

'^General Hancock," said the young officer, "I have been ordered 
to report to you, sir, for duty." 

''What is your regiment, Colonel ?" 

•'148th Pennsylvania Infantry," was the reply ; "and. General, 
while I would not presume so much as to suggest the disposition that 
is to be made of my Regiment, I should be glad if it could be placed 
in a Brigade of your Division where the men can see a daily exeonpli- 
fication of the good results of the soldierly discipline I have endeav- 
ored to teach." 

The great soldier, not more surprised than pleased to find in 
the young commander of a raw regiment so keen an appreciation of 
the first military requisite, replied : 

"Colonel, I regret to say that we have no such Brigades. I only 
wish we had. You will report for duty, sir, to the commander of the 
First Brigade of this Division." 

The request that the young officer had made naturally led Gen- 
eral Hancock to keep a careful watch upon his future course, and it 
was not long before he observed that in camp and upon parade the 
Regiment this young officer commanded was u model for all the others 
of his command. So conspicuous was its excellence that long before 
the Army was again prepared for battle Joe Hooker had predicted 
that it would not be long before he would be a Major General. 

Through the winter the Regiment shared in the slow work of 
discipline, which converted the Second Corps into a matchless engine 
of war. When Colonel Beaver joined it, General Hancock was still 
commanding a Division, General Couch was at the head of the Corps, 
and the Brigade to w^hich the 148th Pennsylvania was lassigned was 



238 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

commanded by Greneral Caldwell. When General Beaver, just twenty 
months later, was carried off the field at Ream's Station, his leg shot 
away, a wound still open in his side, his body scarred with a bullet fruni 
Chancellorsville, and i>iercedwith the shot that had sougiithini in everj 
general action in which he had taken part but one, General Hancock 
was commanding the Corps he had made his own child by the bloody 
baptism of the field. General Barlow was chief of the Division, and 
General Beaver commanded the Brigade, It is the habit of Euro- 
pean armies to make up by significant decorations for the rank men 
miss by disabling wounds. It is enough in a Republic to say of a 
man — a Colonel almost at the opening of the War, and nuistered out 
a Brigadier General just before its close — ^that the bullets of the 
enemy were his brevets, and his own blood blotted the commissions 
longer service would have brought him. 

The military companionship which began in this interview after 
Fredericksburg, lasted through more than two years of active warfare, 
and ended only when wound after wound had shattered the young 
Colonel past all active service. The personal friendship then begun 
remains unbroken. The high opinion of the commander of the old 
Second Corps of an officer who materially aided him to make it fa- 
mous can best be expressed in his own words : 

Governok's Island, New York, May 9, 1882. 

My Dear Sir : In reply to your note of the 7th inst., I have to 
state that General James A. Beaver joined the First Division of the 
Second Army Corps (then commanded by me) with his Regiment, the 
148th Pennsylvania Volunteers, just after the battle of Fredericks- 
burg, December, 1862, and served constantly under my command in 
the Second Corps (save when absent, from wounds received in battle) 
until the fall of 1864. During that period he was engaged in soms 
of the most important campaigns and battles of the Armj^ of the Po- 
tomac, and took a conspicuous and distinguished part in many of 
them. 

T considered him one of the most intjepid, intelligent and effi- 
cient young officers in our service during the War, and on several 
occasions mentioned him in my official reports for valuahle services 
and distinguished bravery. He was wounded at Chancello^s^^lle, 
again while gallantly leading his fine Regiment and Brigade in an 
assault u]>on the enemy's works at Petersburg, Virginia, June 16, 
1864, and at Ream's Station, August 25, 1864. On this latter occa- 
sion he had just joined his Regiment on the battlefield, ;ind taken 
command of the Brigade, to which it ]>elon2:od, after an absence 
caused by former wounds, when he was struck by a musket ball which 
shattered liis thic:h, and disnbled him for life bv the loss of a leff. 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 239 

He was breveted Brigadier General for liiglily meritorious and 
distinguished condnct, and for valuable services, especially at Cold 
Harbor, Virginia, where he ooiiinianded a Brigade. 

I am, very trTily yours, 
WiNFiET>D S. Hancock. 

A regulation camp for winter quarters was established on a tract 
of rolling ground showing the ridges of abandoned cnltivation and 
covered with trees of many years' gro^vth, which were utilized in the 
construction of huts. The Regiment was soon settled as comfortably 
as soldiers know how to make themselves, and the winter passed in 
drill, discipline, guard and picket duty, parades and reviews. Two 
drawbacks to our comfort in ''Camp near Falmouth" that are vividly 
recalled by the survivors were, first, the abominable Virginia weather. 
A succession oi rain, snow, freeze, thaw and mud prevailed during a 
large part of the season. Second, an epidemic of severe illness among 
the men, attended with much suifering and many deaths. 

Adjutant Lipton's health had steadily failed while in cainp at 
Cockeysville and he was, in consequonce, at home on sick leave when 
we moved to the front. He never rejoined us, but in the latter part 
of April we received notice of his death at Milesburg. During all 
of these montlis, with a Lieutenant acting Adjutant, I had full charge 
of the office and had become quite familiar with the routine. The 
First Sergeants and the company and staff officers had all become pro- 
ficient, so that the business machinery of the Regiment was working 
with ease and good order. 

On the morning of the 27th of April, as I called at the Colonel's 
quarters for the orders of the day, he handed me the bundle and said, 
"Sergeant Major, you will find an order there of jTersonal interest to 
you." 

T looked over the package and read the following : 

"Headquarters l-iSxii Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Xear Falmouth, Virginia, April 27, 1863. 
(Orders No. 9.) 

(Extract. ) 

1. Sergeant Major Joseph W. Muffiy is hereby promoted to be 
Adjutant in place of Lieut. Robert Lipton, deceased. The appoint- 
ment being subject to the approval of the Governor of Pennsylvania. 

James A. Beaver, 
Colonel lJf.8th Pennsylvania Volunteers, 

Commanding Regiment." 



240 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

I expressed my thanks for tlie promotion and promised my best 
efforts to deserve it. The Colonel said: 

"That's all right, Adjutant, you are entitled to tlie commission; 
and now you will find marching orders) among the papers, so take off 
your chevrons, get a pair of shoulder straps and be ready to move." 

We had now been in the service more than seven months. The 
first three months of detached service had developed the individuality 
of the Regiment, and now these last four months with tlie splendid 
Army of tlie Potomac had opened to us the wide horizon of War and 
prepared us for our part in the great events then pending. 

Our part in the battle of Chancellorsville is very graphically 
portrayed by many contributing comrades in their stories. I shall 
pass it with little comment of my own. It had all the special interest 
of the "first battle." At tlie most acute stage of the fighting, the Regi- 
ment was divided, Companies C, D, G and H being in Brigade, and 
the other six on the skirmish line. The former battalion under 
command of the Colonel, was thrown, with tlie Brigade imder Gen- 
eral Caldwell, into the woods in rear of the Chancellor House, soon 
meeting the enemy in full force in rifle pits. After a sharp battle, 
we charged and drove them and continued the fight until ordered to 
another position. After the wounding of the Colonel, the command 
devolved on Major Fairlamb, Colonel McFarlane being absent on 
sick leave. 

The other companies had quite a warm time on the picket line. 
They were hotly engaged at times and had many narrow escapes from 
being cut off and captured. Our loss in this, our first battle, was 
one hundred and sixty-four, of whom there were killed two ofiicers 
and twenty-nine men ; wounded, nine officers and one hundred and 
ten men ; missing, fourteen men. (Colonel Fox in "Regimental 
Losses," page 302. See also Major Fairlamb's report in Colonel's 
Story, Chapter 11.) The official reports give the following account 
of the Regiment in this battle. General Hancock says : 

On May 2d the enemy frequently ojiened with artillery from 
the heights toward Fredericksburg and from those on my right, and 
with infantry assaulted my advanced line of rifle pits, but was al- 
ways liandsomely repulsed by the troops on duty there, consisting of 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 241 

tihe 57tli, 64tji and 66th New York, and detadiments from the 52d 
New York, 2d Delaware and 148th Pennsylvania. During the sharp 
contest of that day, the enemy was never ahle to reach my principal 
line of battle, so stoutly and successfully did Colonel Miles (Gen. Nel- 
son A.) contest the ground. On the moniing of the 3d inst. tlie battle 
was renewed at 5 :30 a. m. The line was frequently assaulted dur- 
ing the morning with great gallantry, the enemy marching their regi- 
ments up into the abatis. The 6-ltli New York behaved with great dis- 
tinction, repulsing regiment after regiment. The same may be said of 
the 61st and 66th New York, the detachments from the r)3d Pennsyl- 
vania, 2d Delaware, 140th, 145th and 148th Pennsylvania and 27th 
Connecticut. — (Official Rebellion Records. Serial 39, pages 312, 
313.) 

General John C. Caldwell (commanding Brigade) says : 

The next morning (April 30th) we marched to Chancellors- 
ville and out on the road toward Fredericksburg, a distance of over 
a mile from Chancellorsville. I here formed tlie 148th Pennsylvania 
in line of battle on the right of the road. * * * After remaining in 
our position for more than an hour, in obedience to orders from Gen- 
eral Hancock, I fell back along the road. * * * I formed my bri- 
gade in line of battle in the open field near Chancellorsville, the 
148th Pennsylvania on the right. * * * My troops lay do^vn and 
the artillery fired over them. One man of the 148th was here killed 
by a shell and a few wounded. About three o'clock on the morning 
of the 2d, I received from General Hancock the order to fall back 
to a line that had been previously designated near Chancellorsville. 

* * * We inunediately set to work digging intrenchments and 
constnicting abatis, and before noon had a line of great strength. 

* * * Colonel Miles (Gen. Nelson A.), of the 61st New York, 
was placed by General Hancock in command of the picket line of the 
Division, which consisted of six companies of the 148th Pennsyl- 
vania, 47th New York, two companies of the 52d New York and 
four companies of the 2d Delaware, supported by the 11th Massachu- 
setts. With this force. Colonel Miles skirmished all day long with 
the enemy, and at 3 :00 p. m. repulsed, with signal loss, a determined 
attack of the enemy, made in two columns on each side of the road. 
I do not doubt but that this repuhe of the enemy, which ke]>t^ them 
from our main lines, was due princi]>ally to the skill and gallantry 
of Colonel Miles, who, with a single line of skirmishers, deployed at 
three paces, repelled a determined attadv of the enemy made in col- 
umn, a feat rarely paralleled. 

We lay in our intrenchments, imder a heavy artillery fire, on 
the morning of the 2d and the morning of the 3d, the men behaving 
with the sreatest coolness. Between nine and ten o'clock on the morn- 



242 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

iiig of the od, 1 was ordered " " '''" to report witk my Brigade to 
General Hooker. ->^ ^ * x took four companies of the 148th Peim- 
sylvania, the other six being on picket, the Gist, 52d and 57th Xew 
York, in all between five hundred and six hundred men, and marched 
by the right flank down the road toward United States Ford and 
halted facing the woods, on the right of the road. About twenty min- 
utes afterward I was ordered by General Hooker, in |>erson, to con- 
duct my Brigade into the open field and through the woods from a 
lX)int designated. The four companies of the 14Sth Pennsylvania 
under Colonel Beaver were on the right, next to them the 61st Kew 
York. * * * The 57th New York was on the left, with the 52d 
New York on their right. We advanced in this order through the 
woods, under a fire of grape and canister * * * until we encoun- 
tered the rebels, in rifle pits on our right, who opened on us a very 
severe fire, which killed and wounded many of the officers and men 
of the l-lStli Pennsylvania, among others Ck)lonel Beaver of this Regi- 
ment. The severity of the fire, and the fall of their Colonel produced 
a momentary confusion in the 148th, but they rallied almost instantly 
and poured a steady and most destructive fire into the enemy, who 
after a few minutes broke and fled. * * * Of the conduct of 
officers and men during the entire movement, I can not speak in terms 
of too high praise. I confess I was somewhat anxious for the 148th 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, it being a new regiment, and never having 
been exposed to fire. It behaved, however, throughout, with the 
greatest coolness, vicing with the old troops in steadiness. Colonel 
Miles speaks in high terms of the six companies that were on picket, 
and the other four companies fought with the greatest gallantrv under 
my own eye. I have seldom seen a more steady or better directed 
fire than theirs was in the woods on Sunday. * * * Colonel Beaver 
of the 148th Pennsyjvania deserves the highest praise for the disci- 
pline and efficiency which he has secured in his Regiment. To him 
belongs, almost exclusively, the praise that his men, in their first 
battle did their work so handsomely. He was, unfortunately, wounded 
severely at the first fire, and was borne from the field before he could 
see the heroism of his men. The command, however, devolved on 
worthy shoulders. IMajor Fairlamb rallied and fought the Re'j,iment 
in the noblest manner. — (Official Rebellion Records Serial 39, pa2:es 
318-321.) 

The afternoon of the 0th found us in our old camp near Fal- 
mouth, where we remained, with Major Fairlamb in command, until] 
the return of Lieutenant Colonel McFarlane. The visit of Governorj 
Curtin soon after the l>attle was an incident of great interest to the] 
Regiment. With the regular i*outine of camp life, plenty of rations] 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 243 

and rest, our wounded beginnino' to return with wounds healed, the 
Regiment soon recuperated from the fatigue, h>ss and disaster of 
battle. 

I recall no incidents of importance during* our six weeks rest, 
which ended on the 14th of June, when we broke camp and started on 
the long march to Gettysburg. We moved by way of Stafford, Dum- 
fries, Fairfax, Centerville, across Bull liuu battletield reaching 
Thoroughfare Gap on the 21st. It was a toilsome march in dust and 
heat. It was on this march that I first met that inveterate and vora- 
cious enemy of the Army — the renowned "grayback." IIithert(» 1 had 
entirely escaped his personal attentions, but now I found them by 
regiment, brigade, division and corps making free use of my ])er- 
son as a commissary department, and I was obliged to join the rest 
of the comrades in a skirmish "en dishahiUe." A few days later, 
there was an issue of clothing by the Quartermaster, and I bought a 
complete outfit of government clothes, threw away every stitch of 
clothing, blankets and all. This was my first and last experience with 
that gang of parasites. 

On the 26th of June the march was resumed via Gum Springs, 
Edwards Ferry, Pooisville, Sugar Loaf Mount)ain, Frederick City, 
reaching Uniontown on the evening of the 30th, after a march of 
thirty miles on that day. 

Up to this time I had not been able to procure a mount and had 
been riding a horse belonging to an absent officer. At Frederick I 
learned that a farmer living a mile or two off the road had horses for 
sale. I rode out to his place, found the man, and said : 

"I am told you have horses for sale." 

He replied, "I have some horses, but I don't know as I have any 
to sell." 

''Oh," I said, "then I have been misinformed. Good day, sir," 
and turned tow^ard the lane. 

''Hold on a minute," said he, "I have one that I might sell." 

"Oh, then, you have a horse to sell. Well, let's see the brute. I 
have no time to monkey," and he took me to his barn where there were 
eight or ten head in the stalls. He brought out a bay horse a trifle 



244 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

under size and rather long coupled. I asked him the price, which be 
put at $100.00. 

I said, "I don't know much about horses, but I guess I can ride 
as fast as he can go. I'll give you $95.00." 

Pie took the money and I mounted, leading my new purchase, 
and soon overtook the column. In the evening I procured a 
saddle and the next day rode my own horse. He proved 
to be all rig'ht and served me quite well as long as I kept 
him. How we parted company will appear in the story 
of "Coffee Hill." In our bivouac that night. Col. E. E. Cross, of 
the 5i;h. ISTew Hampshire, commanding the Brigade, assigned Col. H. 
B. McKeen, of the 81st Pennsylvania, to command our Regiment, 
relieving Lieutenant Colonel MoFarlane. This act of Colonel Cross 
was wholly unjustifiable, the culmination of a series of insults and 
indignities, which, taking advantage of Beaver's absence, he had in- 
flicted on the Eegiment. It was bitterly resented by the men and as 
I passed through the camp late at night I found men gathered in 
groups discussing the act and expressing their indignation in ver\ 
strong language. For a full account of this incident see Major For- 
ster's address at the dedication of our monument on the Gettysburg 
battlefield. 

On the first day of July we entered our native state of Penn- 
sylvania and in the eveningwere formed in line across the Taneytown 
road two or three miles from Gettysburg. On the morning; of the 
2d we took position on Cemetery Ridge. The stoi-y of the battle — the 
great battle — Meade's battle — the battle of Gettysburg that marked 
the high tide of rebellion and its logical end, has been told many 
times over, and the part taken by our Regiment will be fully set out 
by the comrades in the following pages. They will fill with their per- 
sonal experiences and with incidents the outline — the hours of rest 
lying on Cemetery Ridge, Hancock's sharp order to build breast 
works, the galloping Aide with orders to Caldwell and Cross, the 
"Fall in. Take arms," and double quick down the crest to the cross- 
road, the halt and malformation, at the fence, the rush into the wheat- 
field, the hours of hot musketry fighting at close range, the relief by 
other troops when men and ammunition were alike exhausted, .the 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 245 

passing files to the rear, and return to the crest, the night bivouac in, 
line, the waiting on the third, the ride of our superb Hancock down 
the corps line, the signal gun and the terrific impact of Pickett, the 
slaughter of Wilcox's Brigade in our front — his men becoming our 
prisoners, and the night closing down upon the failure of Lee's dar- 
ing invasion and the great Union victory of the War — all will be told. 
The extracts from official reports bearing upon our part in the battle 
are all given by Major Forster in his address and need not be repeated 
here. 

During the night of the 2d as I approached the little house — 
now the field hospital — I stepped upon something that felt so peculiar 
that I stopped and picked it up. It proved to be an arm. Happen- 
ing to look at the west window I saw an outline of a pyramid of some 
sort, which on examination I found was a pile of hands, arms, feet 
and legs which the surgeons had thrown out in their work and which 
had now reached the window sill. In front of the house lay General 
Barksdale mortally wounded, his breast torn and one leg shattered 
by grape shot. Alternately begging for water, which a drummer boy 
was giving him with a spoon, and cursing the Yankees, it was a most 
pathetic scene. 

"Bring me water, cold water," he would say. "When I am well 
I am a great lover of water, and now when I am shot all to pieces and 
burning with fever, I must have cold water." Then he would break 
out, "Yes, you think you have whipped us, but wait till morning and 
you will hear Ewell thundering in your rear." He died during the 
night. (See the Surgeon's Story by Doctor Hamilton.) 

About the middle of our battle in the wheat field I caught a 
piece of Confederate shell on the large tendon above the knee with 
force enough to give me quite a whirl, and with shock enough to make 
me feel down to find if the leg were on or off. I limped back to th.e 
rear of a huge rock that afforded good shelter for our wounded, where 
I found quite a number of the boys with a variety of wounds. Just 
after me came a Sergeant badly hurt in the shoulder, who begged me 
to remove his knapsack. Next came another with blood spurting 
from a shot through the wrist. After fixing them both up as best T 
could, I examined my own case and found it to be only a bad bruise 



246 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

of the tendon, sore enough but not serious. I limped back to the 
Regiment and "fought it out on that line." T was obliged to mount 
my horse for a week on the right side, which is, of course, the wrong 
side, the left side being the right side — cavalry paradox. Coming 
out of the wheat field the men showed the eftWts of the relaxation from 
the terrible strain and excitement of battle in an unusual degree. We 
were panting, pale, except where jwwder-marked, and in a state of 
general collapse. A good comrade seeing my difficulty in marching 
handed me his canteen and said, "Take a drink of this, Adjutant, it 
will do you good." I took two big swallows of commissary whiskey — 
my first and last taste of liquor during the service, and I must admit 
that it did me good. 

On the evening of onr first march from Gettysburg we 
bivouacked in a fine field of clover. We lay down with every 
prospect of a splendid sleep, but I had only got well going when I felt 
a small and very cold river creeping down my back and woke up to 
fi.nd that we were having a soaking rain — inevitable sequence of a 
heavy battle. I had tethered my horse near by but when daylight 
caane he wias nowhere in sighti. After a long search, I found hiin in 
the most distant corner of the field, and worst of all, lamer than I 
was. However, he recovered after a few hours marching, but when 
we unrolled our blankets the next evening, having been compelled to 
roll them up very dam]>, wo found them so foul as to require much 
airing and drying. 

Of the long march back to the old lines in Virginia, from the 
5th of July until the 4th of August, when wo reached Bealton, T re- 
call nothing of importance that is not told in the stories that follow 
or precede. Colonel Beaver had rejoined us on the 23d of July near 
Ashby's Gap. Tie had procured a mount on the way and came to us 
as we were on tlio march. As he approached the head of the column 
I called out, "Look hove, boys," and in an instant tlie Regiment broke 
out with cheer upon cheer, welcoming his return with the utmost en- 
thusiasm. Augnist, Se]item1>er and ]>art of Octol>er were s|>ent in 
fruitless manoeuvers, which finally brought us to Auburn on the 14tli 
of October. The Sccnnd Corjis was roar guard of the Army during 
the retrograde iinixcniciit wliicli bronglit tlic .Vrmy from ('nl]>o]">er 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 247 

nearly to Washington. We had bivouacked in a body of timber on 
Cedar Run, and in the morning were moved out and halted on a cone 
shaped hill covered ^vith shocks of corn where we were to breakfast. 
While coffee was cooking and pork frying, we noticed a battery going 
into position on a hill half a mile east of us. We paid no attention 
to it, supposing it one of ours, but just as our coffee was ready a shell 
came from the other hill, followed by a vigorous cannonade, which 
caused a lively stir and ended our breakfast before it began. "Ike" 
had my two horses at a shook of com from whidi they were feeiding, 
and as I turned to call to him I saw that they were plunging 
frantically, my riding mare "Kate" — a fine English hunting animal 
that 1 had bought a month before — being thoroughly frightened. In 
a moment they broke away and started north over the hill, soon get- 
ting mixed up with one of our batteries, and, with Ike following hard 
after, they disappeared over the hill and were gone. My whole march- 
ing outfit was packed on the little horse and I was left dismounted 
with my sword and the clothes I wore. The Regiment was promptly 
called to arms and moved to the west side of the hill under cover and 
our battery soon drove the enemy from his position. This was our 
"Coffee Hill," and I quote from "Burr's Life of Beaver :" 

"As long as you have a man left, hold the brow of the hill abov^ 
the road until the wagon-train passes !" This imperative order was 
given by Gen. G. K. Warren, who was then commanding the Second 
Corps, to Colonel Beaver, of the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
who was at the moment corps officer of the day. 

Colonel Bea\'er being corps ofhcer of the day, had command of 
the picket line which first and last met the advance of the Confederate 
columu. His duty was delicate and hazardous, for the enemy was 
after llie wagon and ammunition trains, which were altogether too 
near his grasp for safety. At the first warning of danger General 
Warren was u|3on the field, and, in addition to the force already at 
the disposal of the commander of the outposts, he added a heavy detail 
of infautry and cavalry, that he might hold the road unlt.il the wagons 
had passed, after he (Warren) had withdrawn the main body of the 
troops. Warren deemed it all-important that Colonel Beaver should 
hold the hill above the Warrenton road, and so gave the order which 
opens this chapter. 

Colonel Beaver ol^eyed his orders to the letter, difficult as they 
were. Before he withdrew his infantry pickets he saw the Confed- 
erates steal doA\m a stone fence and take possession of the only ford 



248 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

on the stream, which, he must cross to regain his Corps, and yet he 
held the hill and kept his infantry force with the cavalry until every 
wagon had passed and was safe. The result demonstrated the wisdom 
of General Warren's order, and he thanked the young Colonel for the 
manner of its execution. Some time after the event, writins" of Col- 
onel Beaver's work that morning, he said : 

"It was one of th.e finest exhibitions of skirmish, line fighting 
and manoeuvre I ever saw." 

Colonel Beaver's greaitest peril oaane after he bald so admir- 
ably handled tbe troops at his command on the hill, and saved the 
wagon train. The enemy had taken the only ford on the creek, while 
he was holding the hill, and there was no alternative left for him ex- 
cept tO' take to the sti'^am. wherever his troops could get intO' it, and run 
chances of getting across. He therefore pushed, his men into the 
creek wherever they could get in. It was a scramble for safety under 
fire, but he got them all over, formed ou the other side, and marched, 
diagonally across the country, and joined the main body of troops 
while the bullets of (the enemy were still dropping all around. He 
narrowly escaped death during this combat with the advancing Con- 
federates. Besides the perils already related, once, while in advance of 
his picket line trying to sight the position, and movements of the 
enemy, a ball from a sharpshooter's rifle pierced his saddle, and an- 
other destroyed the canteen which swung from his shoulder. 

The actual condition of things at the moment was not so bad 
as reported. * * * Colonel Carroll gained the position assigned 
him and. found Colonel Beaver's command already there and not the 
enemy. — (Report of General Warren, Rebellion Records, 48-239.) 

On moving across the run in the morning, I had left my picket 
in position under the able command of Colonel Beaver of the 148th 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. " — (Report of Gen. John C, Caldwell 
Rebellion Records, 48-254.) 

It gives me great pleasure to acknowledge the good behavior of 
officers as well as enlisted men of this Brigade — from the old regi- 
ments * * * and the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers and their 
officers. Nothing else could be expected, they having gained fame on 
many battlefields before. — (Report of Col. Paul Frank. Robelliou 
Records, 48-266.) 

We were soon on the march toward Bristoe Station. My man 
Ike overtook the column and reported to me, "Foh de Lor's sake, 
Adjutant, you nebber see dem bosses no moh. Dey gone to de debble 
shuah — I foller 'em and foller 'em till I see de rebs." And I ne\'^er 
did see them again. Some years after the War, my claim for them 
was paid by the Government. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 249 

We soon heard the firing at Bristoe and struck the double quick 
for the fight, in which we had a little share at the close. 

At the end of October and again toward the middle of ISI^ovem- 
ber we were busy receiving, enrolling and aasimilating nearly three 
hundred recruits, mostly under the enrollment act. They were in 
the main worthy and welcome additions to the ranks. A few were 
wbrthlesiS and depraved. The conduct of some of these latttT calleKJ 
forth a -characteristic speech from the Colonel, which will bo referred 
to hereafter. 

Th^ campaign closed with the Mine Run episode and by the 
7th of December we were in winter quarters in ''Camp near Stevens- 
burgv"' and here began five months of the Regiment's most delightful 
experience of all its three years' service. It was a veritable oasis 
sandwiched in between the toilsome marches and the bloody battles 
that had preceded and the still more exhausting marches and inex- 
pressibly horrible and bloody carnage that were to follpw. 

The camp, located on a tract of level ground, heavily timbered, 
was as pretty a soldier village as you could picture. At the head of 
the camp, against a background of timber, the straight row of neat log 
huts of the field and staff, in front of these, a wide sentinel beat, and 
butting against this^the company streets running at right angles with 
the line of headquarters, and fronting on either side of the company 
streets, the row of buts, one for each mess and the company officers' 
quarters at the head, all well built, roomy and clean ; the big log 
house just to one side the camp, our chapel, where good Chaplain 
Stevens preached every Sunday and held prayer meeting every 
Wednesday evening. This little village of ours was but a small pre- 
cinct in a great military city which spread out over many miles of 
area and in which one hundred and fifty thousand soldiers were en- 
camped. 

On the 23d of January I was granted my first leave of absence 
and Avas soon on my way for a longed-for visit to home and "the girl 
I left behind me." After a few delightful days at Howard, I hurried 
westward to visit my father, brothers and sisters, who with one excep- 
tion had removed to Dakota, Illinois. There I learned that my older 
brother Charles had enlisted and was serving in the 46th Illinois. 



250 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Returning to Howard, I stopped just long enough to celebrate St. 
Valentine's Day in a short ceremony, as a souvenir of which T took 
with me some cards, one of which, bearing the name of ^farv Baker, 
was tied to my own with a bit of white ribbon. The knot i?s still tied 
and the ribbon still white. 

Returning at the end of my leave, I found the Army in the 
midst of a "scene of life and gaiety that transformed "grim-visaged 
war" into a semblance of the royal court of France in the time of the 
Empire. 

An order had been issued passing ladies into the lines, and numy 
hundreds of the wives, sisters, daughters and friends of officers had 
availed themselves of the privilege. One may more easily imagine 
than describe the effect of such an angelic irrn])tion into the cam], 
of an army. A great wig-^vam was built at our division headquarters 
where balls, theatricals, literary entertainments and social functions 
of all sorts were had almost nightly. At one of these balls, 1 remem- 
ber seeing Grace Greenwood being led through the quadrille by the 
stout and florid General Caldwell. 

Mounted parties of soldiers and ladies were everywhere in evi- 
dence, visiting the different headquarters, or making calls on acquain- 
tances in distant camps. The 148th came in for a full share of the 
courtesies of the time. 

Our evening dress parade was a leading attraction. On these 
occasions we were seldom without visitors, and often verv large 
parties came from the most distant camps to witness our display in 
this most beautiful of all military forms. And so the winter passed 
— a long season of rest, in comfortable quarters, with abundant ra- 
tions and supplies of all kinds in plenty. 

As the weather began to moderate toward spring, we had quite 
a number of ''ax-idents," and half a dozen or more men were in the 
hospital with cut feet. O'ne evening at dress parade, after T had 
formed the parade, the ('(vloiiel ordered, "Double coluuiu closed \v 
mass," walked down to the colors and said : 

"Men, we have had a hundred axes in this Regiment all winter. 
You have cut down trees enough for quarters and fuel and there never 
was a foot cut until within the last few weeks, when there is prospect 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 251 

of active opoi'ations. Now, 1 want it understood when a man cuts his 
foot it will be noted on his muster and descriptive roll, on tlie books 
of his company and on the records of the Regiment, and that this rec- 
ord will follow him through his Army service and through all hi> 
civil life when the War is over ; that he CUT HIS FOOT— that he 
did it himself — ttat he did it on purjwse, and that HE IS AN IN- 
FERNAL COWARD." There was no more cutting of feet. 

On the 10th of j\Iarch Lieutenant General Grant made his offi- 
cial visit to General Meade, and on the 26th established his head- 
quarters with our Army at Culpeper Court House. 

Major Fairlamb, with his Byronic face, fine literary turn and 
brilliant wit, found frequent occasions for amusing sallies during this 
winter. Himself a physician and sui-geon of high repute, he took es- 
pecial delight in firing oif jokes at tlie expense of the surgeons. Com- 
ing out of liis quarters one morning, as he approached a sroup of 
ofiicers, among whom were two of the surgeons, he looked up at thb 
sky and around at the horizon, and said : 

''Fine morning, gentlemen. Clear sky and balmy weather. 
Everything getting ready for a fight. The turkey buzzards and sur- 
geons gathering around, all ready for business." 

General Hayes was somewhat noted for extraordinary profanity. 
One day on the march, when Fairlamb was in coinnumd of the Regi- 
ment, as evening approached, the head of our column came up to 
where General Hayes had gone into camp for the night. The Major 
turned to me and said : 

"Hello, here's General Hayes, all fixed u]> for the night, tent on 
the hillside and headciuarters flag flying. All he needs now is a sign, 
'Lessons given in plain and ornamental profanity.' " 

From "Burr's Life of Gen. James A. Beaver:" 

More than a year of hard campaigning had left its ghastly 
mark upon the 14Sth. Familiar faces were missing from the ranks. 
Some were lying in hospitals nursing their wounds ; some had now 
honorable discharge by reason of permanent disability; and some 
had gone to sleep amid the din of battle. But others came to take 
their places, perhaps to share their fate. Pennsylvania, whose zeal 
never flagged throughout the long conflict, looked well to her shattered 
regiments in the field; and while the 14Sth was in winter quarters at 



252 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Stevensburg in the winter of 1803, fresh recrnits had come in and 
made it as strong as when it left Camp Curtin. 

The new camp was pleasantly situated, the site having been 
chosen with regard to tlie health of the command. The weather was 
intensely cold, with little promise of any abatement before spring, 
and Colonel Beaver went to work at once to put up huts and provide 
the men with such comfort as the rougli regimen of war would ]ter- 
mit. A neat little chapel was erected, and in this were held religious 
exercises and the regimental school for commissioned and non-coui- 
missioned officers. Great interest w^as shown in the prayer-meetings 
through that winter of preparation for the hazardous work of the 
spring campaign, and the eifect on the Regiment was marked. 

The school was a feature of the camp, and very largely owing 
to its wholesome influence there was raised up from the ranks of that 
Regiment some of the very best of company officers in the Army of 
the Potomac. From the day the 148th was organized it had been 
Colonel Beaver's ambition to make it a model regiment. In camp or 
on the march, night or day, he had never lost sight of the fact that, 
discipline and instruction were all important factors in reaching per- 
fection. His order for the regimental school was, when ip camp, im- 
perative. How he always insisted upon its observance is best told 
by an occurrence that took place while in the winter camj) at Stevens- 
burg. 

He went to the chapel one evening and had the officers' call 
=ounded, but there was no response. The Colonel waited a few u in- 
utes, but no officer came. Calling his Adjutant he said : 

"Adjutant, place every commissioned officer in the Regiment 
under arrest for twenty-four hours!" 

The surprised officers explained that they were issuing elr)tliing 
when the call sounded. 

"Issuing clothing!" exclaimed the Colonel, with amazement. 
"Clorhing can be issued at any time. Here is a standing order — .i 
regular part of each day's duties." 

The next day the Regiment went on dress parade without a 
single commissioned officer but the Colonel and the Adjutant, each 
company commanded by an Orderly Sergeant. This was not a mere 
freak or whim. The order was known to every officer, the duty re'JTu- 
lar. "It showed the character of the man," says a general officer of 
the Army of the Potomac, in speaking of the occurrence. "The order 
was for the welfare of the Regiment, reasonable and right, and the 
punishment necessary to the maintenance of military discipline. 

Five months passed of thorough drilling', with close attention 
to the smallest details. Tlie dress parades of the l^Sth Pennsylvania 
became famous, and it was knoAvn the Army through as Hancock's 
pet Regiment. Commenrlations were freely bestmved upon the splen- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 253 

did command and its young Colonel. Particular attention was i)aid 
to skirmish drill by the sound of the 'bugle — a practical accomplish- 
ment which was turned to telling account soon after in the Wilder- 
ness and tlie other great battles in which it bore a conspicuous part 
Well-clothed and equipped, thoroughly disciplined and drilled, no 
finer body of men ever marched to the beating of a drum. Four 
months of schooling for officers and men had made a regiment fit for 
any work. 

A letter written by Colonel Beaver shortly before breaking camp 
in the spring shows that while he was a strict disciplinarian he had a 
w^arm personal inteirest in eveay man in his IvegimenI, and was ready 
to do a good friend's part. 

"One of my boys," he writes, "is sentenced to be shot for desei- 
tion, but, as he has behaved very bravely at all times, and is really 
not guilty of desertion in its bad sense, I will make every effort in my 
power to have him pardoned or at least reprieved." The man was 
spared. 

These instances of care for each individual man of the 148th 
might be multiplied by each day of its service while Colonel Beaver 
was at its head. But the record it made after Stevensburg is the most 
interesting and brilliant part of its history and of his connection 
with it. 

Tlie First Division of the Second Corps was an especially strong 
one in the personnel of its officers. Among the Colonels were many 
men of high character and splendid ability as commanders of regi- 
ment or brigade. There were Miles, Brooke, Beaver, Mulholland, 
Smythe, Brown, McKeen, Cross, several of whom died nobly in 
battle, while others have achieved honor and distinction in military 
and civil life since the War. There was much talk among the friends 
of these Colonels about the promotion of their favorites, and a spir- 
ited but friendly rivalry as to which one should first win the star. 
Of course, we of the 148th were quite sure that our Colonel ought to 
be the first to win the coveted rank. While Beaver could not help 
hearing something of these remarks, he manifested no anxiety on 
the subject, and neither said nor did anything to further his ambi- 
tion, if indeed he had any. The gi'eat review of the Army by Gen- 
eral Grant, which occurred shortly before the march to the Wilder- 
ness, afforded him an occasion for a very frank expression of his feel- 
ings about promotion. T had read the order calling for the review, 
on dress parade one evening, and after taking command of the Begi- 



254 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

raent, he walked down to the colors, and called attention to the order, 
and said, "You know what that means. Noav get ready." And we 
got ready. During the intervening days, there was such cleaning of 
uniforms, burnishing of brasses, and polishing of weapons, as showed 
how well the men understood the admonition. The day of the great 
review dawned, bright and clear, and the Regiment turned out with 
full ranks, and every officer and man in his place, all in dress uni- 
form, with white gloves, polished shoes, and uniform caps, every field 
officer present in his place, the Surgeon and two assistants on hand, 
with the Chaplain and Quartermaster, and the non-commissioned staff. 
On the way to the review ground, as we descended a long and gentle 
slope on the Virginia road, when the head of the column reached the 
foot of the descent, the Colonel turned in his saddle and commanded, 
''Right shoulder shift arms." The guns came up, the band struck up 
the music, the Regiment took the step, and the Colonel pointing back 
to itihe line, said, "Adjutlant, look at (thiait. Isn't it a beauty ? Talk 
about promotion. I'd rather ride at the head of that Regiment than 
to command any Brigade in the Army. I'd rather be a good Colonel 
tJian a poor Brigadier." 

The 3d of May, 1864, marked the end of our stay at Stevens- 
burg, and of all rest, ease and comfort. Thenceforward, toil, hard- 
ship and slaughter were to be our constant experiences to the end. On 
that day we crossed as we had crossed one year before, and found our- 
selves once more on the old battle ground of Chancellorsville. The 
battle of tlie Wilderness was fought on the 4th, 5th and 6th of the 
month, and was a drawn battle. As it sometimes happens, our own 
Regiment did not become engaged on this field, and sustained a loss 
of but one man killed. 

In connection with the movements in the Wilderness, the follow- 
ing from ''Burr's Life" will be found of interest: 

The Regiment swung out to the right, reached its ]X)st, and took 
its station in the line of battle, against which Longstreet was to dash 
the next day in vain. ^Moving by shorter lines up the middle fingers, 
tx) recur to the simile of an outstretched hand, the Second Division, 
under General Gibbnn, was already in jdaco. Its commander rode 
up to see the approach of the vanu'nard of the Corps as it came up 
the road. Tlio full raiik^ df tlie 1-JStli swe]>t up in inarching order. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 255 

The winter's hard drill had done its work. Nine hours' march in a 
May, Virginia sun left it still fresh. "I was always very particular," 
said its connnander, difhdenth', in telling the story, "when we came 
to a halt to dress our lines, stack arms, unsling knapsacks and put 
everything in perfect shape for any emergency before breaking 
ranks." The order ^'break ranks'' came at last, and the young Col- 
onel rode over to the group of general officers, who had been watching 
the methodical drill of nine hundred gleaming bayonets, while al- 
ready the sharp snapping roar of a great battle could be heard five 
miles away. "Colonel," said Greneral Gibbon, in command of two 
divisions, holding an advance line on the eve of a great battle, "I'd 
rather have that Regiment in its splendid condition, and command it, 
than occupy the jx^sition I do." 

But in the Army, as in the world, the law of oompen&ation holds 
good, and as we moved out of tlie Wilderness on the evening of the 
7th, we entered upon an epoch in which we were to pay dearly for 
our exemption in the Wilderness From the Stb of May to the 19th, 
we were prominent factors in tho scenes at bloody Spotsylvania. ThiiJ. 
battle will be so fully described in other chapters, including a special 
contribution on the battle by the editor, that I need not in tiiis place 
add any words of my own. Our loss was thirty-three killed, two hun- 
dred and thirty-five wounded and thirty-three missing, a total of 
three hundred and one, being the heaviest loss of any infantry regi- 
ment on that field. But the magnitude of the operations at Spotsyl- 
vania, ranking as it does, next to Gettysburg, the greatest battle of 
the Civil Wiar, warrants me in the insertion in this place of the fol- 
lowing account from "Burr's Life:" 

BREAKINO THE EEBEL LINE AT SPOTSYLVANIA. 

"I know they will not come back ! They will not come back !" 
exclaimed General Hancock, as he sat on his horse and watched those 
grand soldiers he commanded with so much spirit and efficiency upon 
so many battlefields, as they slowly and silently, in solid mass, 
marched toward the strong works of the enemy in the gray of 
the morning of the 12th of May, 18()4. His uumner and his 
words betokened not only a confidence in the valor of his men 
but that love for the old Second Corjis that is the index 
to its success, and his supreme su]>]>ort as a man and a com- 
mander. It .was a critical moment in the history of that command, 
and indeed of the whole Army, for a movement of mighty import 
be^jan when TTaucock watched his troops as they started for the Con- 



256 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

federate line that morning. No charge of the War had been planned 
with so much care. Troops had never been sent against an enemy in 
this country in such formation. The result was a brilliant episode 
of war. 

Watching the massed line as it swept over the low ground and 
up the sloping hill was a duty which would have filled even a less im- 
petuous man than Hancock with enthusiasm. The morning light was 
not yet strong enough to lift the fog. The further the men went 
from the point where Hancock stood, the more faintly were their 
forms seen. When they began to ascend the hill nothing but their 
heads and the upper part of their bodies could be distinguished. The 
strange billowy motion of the swaying silent line suggested to the 
observer an army of turtles cautiously creeping up hill, and HTancock 
is said to have so described it. Seeing the precision of the march, 
which was guided by a< compass from the point where he stood to a 
house inside the Confederate lines, he thrice gave vent to his sincere 
satisfaction, as he saw them near the enemy's works, by the earnest 
words of confidence, "They will not come back!" 

It was Grant's plan to assault the enemy in their intrenched 
position at daybreak, before they were aware of the presence of his 
troops, and his orders to the corps commanders were given with that 
end in view. Every preparation for the attack, which gave all ofiicers 
mudh solicitude, and called from Hancock the striking expressioms 
above quoted, had been made under the cover of night. Early on the 
evening of the 11th, Hancock had assembled his division commanders, 
and given them their orders. He carefully explained the plan of at- 
tack, and spoke with earnestness upon the minutest detail of the 
march and assault. But important as was his council with his imme- 
diate subordinates, the consultations which followed between division 
and brigade, and between brigade and regimental commanders, were 
no less dramatic and significant. The night was very dark, and the 
rain beat mercilessly do^\ai upon the unsheltered troops, whether they 
were in the tangled forest, or the open field. It was between eight and 
nine o'clock when the brigade commanders of the First Division ol 
the Second Corps were called by its commander. In a dense and 
gloomy forest, in a secluded spot cleared for the purpose. Barlow met 
his Brigadiers^ — Brooke, Brown, Miles and Smyth. 

The desultory firing of the day had ceased. No sound came 
from the bivouacs where the weary men were snatching an hour's rest 
after the marching and fighting of the Wilderness. Barlow's Division 
was to be honored with a position of great peril and importance, and 
noAv his Brigndos were to be assioniod to their work. The flickerins: 
light of a lantern shed its dim, uncertain rays over the dreary woods, 
and on the little group huddled toirether in the dismal storm to map 
out the plnri of the morrow's despornte business. By the lantern's 



THE 14STH PENNSYLFJNIA VOLUNTEERS 257 

faint, unsteady beam, now flaring its red glare upon a tkoughtful 
face, almost beaten out by wind and rain, Barlow traced upon the 
moistened earth the plan of the deadly assault. It was a rude map, 
but the Brigadiers followed each outline with eager eye, and when the 
Druid council was over, each understood the part he was to play, and 
hastened to his command to summon his Colonels to a similar council. 
Brooke called his regimental commanders, among them Colonel 
Beaver, and gave them their instructions for the charge. Not a gun 
was to be fired in the advance. "Let silence — dead silence — be the 
awful menace !" said Brooke, "and break it only with the bayonet!" 

Barlow's Division was to take the lead of the Second Corps, in 
two lines of masses, Brooke's and Miles' Brigades in the front, each 
regiment forming double column on the center. The enemy lay 
strongly intrenched in his works, posted on an elevation, having all 
the ad"\^antage of position. Colonel Beaver had scarcely turned in for a 
few hours' rest, when, about ten o'clock marching orders came. The 
troops moved at once, and never did men start upon a march under 
circumstances more dispiriting. To the inky darkness of the night 
was added a chilling rain, the more depressing because it came in the 
shape of a dense searching mist, that wet to the skin, and left men 
with a sensation of having been varnished with fresh mucilage. It 
covered the country with a fog, and made the woods and tangled for- 
ests through which the march had to be made doubly dismal and diffi- 
cult to penetrate. General Beaver's diary records the fact that "the 
night was chilly, and that the storm was such that he shivered more 
than ever before in his life." 

From eleven o'clock until nearly one in the morning the Second 
Corps struggled over the difficult way, led by the unsteady light of a 
lantern which Col. C. H. Morgan, Hancock's chief -of -staff, carried 
in his hand, far enough in advance of the head of the Corps to keep 
it from reflecting the long line of gleaming guns which followed him. 
The story of that night's march of the Second Corps cannot be pic- 
tured with words or brush. Silently the men struggled on over the 
tangled and tortuous path, following the glare of a candle. Now 
and then one would whisper beneath breath a word to a comrade, or 
touch an elbow to make sure he was tliere. Not a loud word spoken, 
or a noise made to show that an army corps was on its way to desper- 
ate work. At last the silent column halted and went into line. The 
148th took position with its Brigade to the left of the Army of the 
Potomac, in full face of the enemy. 

Many times during this weary, dangerous march around the bal- 
ance of the Army, in the face of the enemy, did the men of the Second 
Corps give significant evidence of that admirable spirit, discipline 
and bravery so justly the pride of its commander and so clearly the 
foundation and creation of its brilliant career. Hancock's orders 



258 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

were tiiat perfect silence be maintained during the march. Not a 
loud word was to be spoken bj officer or man. The route lay within 
stone's throw of the enemy's position. A loud word, the rattle of 
cami> equii>age or the shaking of a canteen, might reveal the move- 
ment and give tlie enemy time to prepare for the attack, or what was 
worse, to assault the moving corps in column and beat it back, if not 
destroy it. Everything the men carried that could make a noise was 
strapped close to the body, and the column moved as noiselessly as a 
well-ordered machine. The leading division had arrived at the point 
where it was to go into line when an incident occurred that strikingly 
illustrates tlie wonderful discipline and self-control of the men ab;)iir 
to go into battle, even in a stampede. Col. W. P. Wilson, of the 
148tli, but then of General Hancock's staff, who was that night guid- 
ing the Third Division of tlie Corps (Birney's), tells the story in 
graphic detail. Colonel Comstock, of Grant's staff, Colonel C. H. 
Morgan, Hancock's chief -of -staff, and Captains Mitchell and Wilson, 
Aides on the staff of the commander of the Second Corps, had the day 
before located the line of march and point of assault, and of course 
all sa\'e Comstock played an important part in the events of that mem- 
orable night. 

"The First Division was going into position," says Colonel Wil- 
son, "and the Second came to a h'alt." The weary men drenched to 
the skin, sunk down on the hillside, and were asleep as soon as they 
touched the ground. I fell asleep on my horse, and awoke suddenly 
to find that the column was moving, man by man silently down the 
hill. 1 shall never forget the sight. It seemed as though the line 
was fading away into tlie darlaiess, or enveloped by a cloud. Per- 
haps a line of phantom soldiers, moving in the mist, would best 
describe their appearance, as I awoke. I sought General Birneji 
and asked in a whisper : 

" ^What's the matter V 

" 'I don't know,' he replied, looking anxiously at the moving 
line. In an instant his staff officers and commanders of regiments 
and companies were after the disappearing column, bringing the men 
back, man by man, to their places. In either movement not a loud 
word was spoken." 

When the line was again reformed, an inquiry as to the cause of 
the movement down the hill developed the fact that a pack mule laden 
with intrenching tools, that had brokeii away from the sleeping man 
who had been leading it, was grazing downi the hill between the 
Union line and the enemy's position. The tooks rattled a little, and 
thinking that the enomv had discovered the movement and was ad- 
vancing, the men stam]>oded, each man nidving off by himself without 
a word. They even in their fright never forgot their commander's 
orders for ]>erfoct silence. 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 259 

When tlie divisions of the corps that were to make the charge, 
the First, Second and Third, got into position, tlie men slept upon 
their arms, ready for their task. When the hour given for the assault 
arrived, the men were called to begin the more serious day's work of 
the War. But dense penetrating fog hung over the scene of the com- 
ing battle, and Hancock held back his men until tlie light gi'ew 
stronger through the mist of the early morning. At 4 :35 a. m. came 
the order to advance. With a word of cheer to his men, a short, ring- 
ing speech that kindled the fire of patriotism, Colonel Beaver and 
his Regiment moved forward with the Brigade. Through the only 
clearing between the Armies, up the rugged ascent, facing without re- 
sponse a hat fire from the enemy's picket reserve, the 148th in the 
front line, they broke through the enemy's picket line, and in an in- 
stant were in the rifle pitis on his skirmish line. Not a shot had been 
fired from the Union troopsi Barlow pressed on, Bimey keeping 
pace with him. But the men were burning with enthusiasm, impa- 
tient for the decisive clash. They were half way up the slope — almost 
on the enemy's works. Not a sound from the veterans, strictly disci- 
plined and mindful of their orders. But a new regiment, thinking 
that the victory had been won when the picket rifle pits were taken, 
broke into a cheer. The fire had been lighted. The shouts ran through 
regiment ^after regiment, until the whole force was yelling like mad, 
and soon they were dashing on the enemy at the double^uick. Down 
from the rebel works poured a galling fire of musketry and grape and 
canister — a hot and deadly blast that tore great rents in .the advanc- 
ing ranks. Stunned by the murderous fury of the sudden and con- 
tinuous fire, the column wavered for an instant, only to rally with 
louder yells and accelerated pace for one of the bravest, bloodiest 
charges in the annals of war. On they drove, the enemy raking them 
as they advanced, marking their pathway up with many killed and 
wounded. But the torn ranks closed as fast as the heroes fell, and 
when ihe crest of the slope had been reached, two whole divisions 
threw themselves at once upon the works. The pioneers had been 
placed along the front of the line, axes in hand. When the abatis was 
reached they cut the timber, the troops dragged it aside and poured 
through the lanes thus made, and, a^inst a gallant and obstinate 
defence, hurled themselves fair upon the enemy. Now began one of 
the boldest and deadliest hand-to-hand combats of the War. With 
sword and bayonet our troops cut their way. With sword and bayonet 
and hand-spike the rebels replied, until, overborne by the fury of the 
assault, tlioy broke and gave up the works to Hancock's veterans. 
Veteran campaigners had never looked upon such a sight as they bp- 
held when the enemy had been driven out. Dead and dying were 
henjvd in piles. 



260 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

"In one little spot," says General Brooke, upon whose authority 
the graphic details of this march and charge are given, "I saw sixty 
bodies lying, every one o£ them pierced with the bayonet." 

Not far off a Union and a Confederate soldier struggled, each 
with his bayonet fast in the other's body. Captain Anderson, of the 
53d Pennsylvania, was felled by a rebel cannoneer's hand-spike, and 
picked up for dead, though fortunately he recovered. 

General Grant, in his report of tliis engagement, says : 

"The eighth day of tlie battle closes, leaving between three thou- 
sand and four thousand prisoners in our hands for the day's work, in- 
cluding two general officers and over thirty pieces of artillery. The 
enemy are obstinate, and seem to have found their last ditch. We 
have lost no organization, not even that of a company, whilst we have 
destroyed and captured one division (Johnson's) and one brigade 
(Dole's) and one regiment entire of the enemy." 

General Badeau, in his "Military History of Ulysses S. Grant," 
says : 

"During the War the rebels never made so important and suc- 
cessful an assault as tliat of Hancock, on the 12th of May, Indeed, 
they rarely attempted to assault fortified works, and never captured 
one when Grant was in the field." 

Hancock, in his report, pays this tribute to the gallantry of the 
men, and describes the pursuit after the works had been carried : 

"They rolled like an irresistible wave into the enemy's works, 
tearing away what abatis there was in front of the intrenchments 
with their hands, and carrying the line at all points in a few minutes, 
although it was desperately defended. Barlow's and Birney's 
Divisions entered almost at the same moment, striking the enemy's 
line at a sharp salient point, immediately in front of the Lendrum 
House; a fierce and bloody fight ensued with bayonets and clubbed 
muskets ; it was short, however, and resulted in the capture of nearly 
four thousand prisoners of Johnson's Division of EwelTs Cor]>.^, 
twenty pieces of artillery, with horses, caissons, and material com- 
plete, several thousand stand of small arms, and upwards of thirty 
colors. Among the prisoners were Major General Edward Johnson 
and Brigadier General George H. Steuart, of the Confederate service. 
The enemy fled in great confusion and disorder, their loss in killed 
and wounded being unusually great. The interior of the intrench- 
ments presented a terrible and ghastly sipectucle of dead, most of 
whom were killed by our men with the bayonet when they penetrated 
the works ; so thickly lay the dead at this point, that in many places 
the bodies were touching and piled upon each other." 

After taking the works the troops could not be held back, but 
pursued the fleeing enemy toavards Spotsylvania Court House, where] 
thov eiicountererl a seconrl line of formidable earthworks. The enemy 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 261 

heavily re-eiit'orced, boat l)a(*k (nir wearied ranks to the first line of 
works, that had been so gdoriously talcen, and were now held in spite 
of spirited efforts to dislodge them. 

Summing up his report of the day's fighting, Hancock says : 
"A cold, drenching rain descended during this battle, in which 
the troops were constantly under heavy and destructive musketry fire 
for nearly twenty hours. Our losses in killed and wounded were quite 
heavy, but we had inflicted a signal defeat upon the enemy. Swell's 
Corps of infantry was almost destroyed ; the celebrated 'Stonewall 
Brigade' was captured nearly entire. The losses of the enemy dur- 
ing tlie day in killed, wounded and captured, must have amounted to 
at least ten thousand men." 

HOLDING THE SALIENT. 

Day w'as just dawming as the crest of the J^ational advance 
broke on the rebel works and flooded them. The swift movement had 
been successful along the line in front of General Brooke's Brigade, 
whose commander had sprung on the rebel works at one end of the 
line, covered by the two Brigades of the First Division, just as he 
saw one of his Colonels leap on the works -at the other end. "The 
first T knew," says a general staff officer who was following the fine 
of battle just in its rear, "was the prisoners boiling over on me, and 
I had my hands full taking care of them." Success had come; but 
the worst of the battle was still in the future. General Barlow's Di- 
vision had struck full on its center a broad, flat V-shaped saVent, and 
swept over it. The flat, open cleared space behind, turned on the 
instant into a seething cauldron of fighting men, was in the undis- 
puted possession of the National forces. Over twelve thousand men 
jammed in the narrow space of a few acres, swayed hither and thither 
in the wild delirium of success. For the first and for the last time 
in the long wrestle of the Army of the Potomac, and the Army of 
Northern Virginia, an intrenched position mounted with artillery 
well chosen, well manned and well armed, had been taken by an as- 
sault in column. It remained to hold it. In the swarming, struggling/ 
mass of men and officers, lines lost, regiments confused, brigades con- 
founded, cool heads were at work putting the command into order 
for the inevitable counter assault. The recollection of the actors in 
the great struggle is hopelessly confused as to its details. It is easy 
for widely different conditions to exist along the front of a long line 
nearly a mile in breadth. It appears to be unquestionable that the 
headlong rush of assault swept part of the attacking force against 
the inner works of the enemy half a mile distant, and equally clear 
that elscAvhere the Xational forces were held in hand, and brought 
into line just in the rear of the works they had carried. It is now 
known that, screened bv the woods, two divisions, Mahone's and 



262 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Wilcox's, were falling into line to repel Hancock's advance, within 
a few moments after the assault. Brooke's Brigade, with the 148th 
on its left, had been the first to cross the enemy's works. To this 
day it is a disputed point whether any but the First Division actually 
carried the works before it. However this may be, there seems to be 
no doubt that the first line thrown forward to hold the hard-won posi- 
tion was the highly disciplined Brigade, the fortune of one of whost' 
regiments this sketdi seeks to follow. It lost in the trophies of the 
field by the act ; but it saved the fortunes of the day. 

The Salient carried by the ISTational forces had been iilaeed 
where it was by the Confederate engineers, because at this point the 
slope which ran down to tlie creek between the naked ridge on which 
Hancock formed his men, and theground rising towards Spotsylvania, 
dipped into a low swale, which lower sank into a narrow ravine. In 
the day-long struggle that followed, this depression, slight, a mere 
wrinkle on a contour map, played the part of a covered way, and 
made it possible for the Union forces to hold the ix)int they had won. 
Lee was in imminent danger. The Second Corps had cut his Army 
in two. The joint in his harness had been found by the keen, highly 
tempered blade with which Grant had been searching his armor for 
a fortnight. 

The contracted limits of Uie Salient became a great slaughter 
pen, swept 'by one continuous blaze of musketry. There was no room 
to bring in guns, and no space to use them. The Second Corps 
stretched first in an irregular line across tlie space it had won — Mott, 
Birney, Gibbon, Barlow from right to left, the 148th, with its Bri- 
gade, pushed sharply to the left — volley by volley, at ]>oint hlank 
range, beat back the rebel advance. Inch by inch the line fell back, ir 
lay on the works it had won, when at 6 :00 a. m. the Sixth Corps 
bronght it its first aid. Great trees were cut off like reeds by the 
musketry fire which swept the works back and forth like cani&ter. 
The lines were reversed, and the N^ational forces fought on the outer 
edge of the works they had early won. Ammunition soon ran low, 
and all day pack-mules, the ammunition cases slung on their backs, 
were passing up the ravine, and across tlie dip of the swale tlie Salient 
had been intended to command. By the same shelter wounded men 
went to the rear, and sup]>orts and reliefs came to the front. The 
presence of this natural coveiied way mnide possible commnnication 
with the very center of the battle, whose hot fire the War did not sec 
equaled. Without it it is hard to see how the difiicnlty of su]!])iyiin2~ 
an advanced line through twenty hours of continuous firing, could 
have been surmounted. 

"The angle," says Bri<2:ndior den. L. \. Grant, of the Sixth 
'Corps of the defence of the Salient, "became at once the key-j'M^int and 
scene of a terrible strngulo. It was a]i])aront that if we hold it. all 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 263 

tlie line to tlie rigiit would fall into our hands, and equally apparent 
that if we failed to hold it, the captured lines to the left would fall 
into the enemy's hands. Perhaps there was not a more desperate 
struggle during the War. It was not only a desperate struggle, but 
it was literally a hand-to-hand fight. Nothing but breastworks sep- 
arated our force from tlie enemy, and our men mounted the works, 
and, with muskets rapidly handed fcliem, kept a continuous fire until 
they were shot down, when others would take their places, and con- 
tinue the deadly work. 

'^Several times during the day the rebels would show a white 
flag above the works, and when our fire slackened, jump over and sur- 
render, and others were crowded down to fill their places. Scores, 
and no doubt hundreds of men are now living who were engaged in 
that conflict, and whose recollections of it are vivid. It was there 
that the somewhait celebrated tree was out off by bullets ; there that 
[the brush and logs were cut to pieces and whipped into basket stuff; 
there that fallen men's flesh was torn from the bones, and the bones 
shattered ; there that the rebel ditches and cross sections were filled 
with dead men several deep. It was there that General Barlow says . 
'I myself saw in the excavation on the enemy's side of the log breast- 
works, such a mass of the dead and wounded as I had only seen once 
before, and that was in a sunken road at Antieitam, which is still 
called Bloody Lane.' " 

Even for a single regiment the day was crowded with incidents. 
Every group that was formed under this fire had its casualty. Dur- 
ing the worst fighting of the day, after Brooke's Brigade had been 
pushed to the front over two battle lines to the Sixth Corps, to hold 
a very important position, their ammunition ran out, and the file 
closers of the 148th ran back to the idle troops behind them, and car- 
ried cartridges up in their ca])S to the fighting men.'^^ Brooke had been 
ordered] to hold the road at all hazards, and while he was making a 
stubborn fight to do so, he rode up to the 148th for a word of confer- 
enco with Colonel Beaver. While they were consulting, Beaver fell, 
and the men of the Regiment shouted, "The Colonel has got it again." 
The shock was but momentary. A spent ball flattened itself on the 
note-hook, so frequently quoted from in these pages, which he carried 
in his vest pocket. Later the Regiment found its cartridge boxes 
empty, and ]\rajor Forster went back and inforaied General Brooke 
of the fact. "Tell Colonel Beaver that he must hold that road," was 
the reply. "Let his men fix bayonets, lie down and hold it with cold 
steel." Beaver obeyed the order. The 148th lay in the woods 
ready to hold the road with the bayonet, but it was withdrawn before 
the necessity of doing so arose. 

While the fighting was hot and the artillery of the Second Corps, 
massed on the ridge from which tho troops started, was playing over 
* Sre story ^f T.ieutenant McCartney. — Editor. 



264 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

the heads of the men in the Salient on the rebel line beyond, it was 
determined to place two pieces at the angles of the Salient, and sweep 
the approaches obliquely. 

''I can't take my pieces there/' said the artillery officer to whom 
Colonel Wilson, Grenenal Hancock's Aide, oanie W'ith the order. 

''My horses will be shot down before we get there." 

"I expect you to take them up there by hand," was the reply. 

"But the men can't under that musketry fire," pleaded the officer. 

"Then I'll get a detail from the 148th Pennsylvania lying there 
that will. They'll not only get the guns up there, but work 'em," 
said the Aide. The detail was made up before the officer gave way, 
and the pieces were started out to their post. 

Through hours and hours of hard fighting the long forenoon 
wore away into the afteTnoon. Night even came on and still the 
fighting continued. After the conflict the Regiment was marched 
back, and lay down under the shelter of the ravine. General Han- 
cock, in his official report, speaking of the share of the work of 
Brooke's Brigade, and the 148th Regiment on that day and in that 
fight, says : 

"Although it had taken part in the first assault of tlie morning, 
and had been among tlie firet troops to enter the works, where it was 
hotly engaged for hours, when General Brooke marched to re-enforct 
the Sixth Corps, he was thrown forward on the front line of battle, 
where he relieved a portion of Wheaton's Division ; his Brigade 
fought in this }X)sition, losing very heavily, until it had again ex- 
hausted its ammunition, when it was returned to me." 

It was nine before firing ceased, it was midnight before the 
enemy retired. Thirty-six hours before the troops had broken camp, 
after hours on the march, they had been kept waiting in the dull soak- 
ing mist, waiting other hours for the attack, a few hundred yards 
from the enemy, at a point where every soldier felt that delay would 
mean defeat. No better proof of the strain under which the troops 
lay could be offered than the fact that the dull clatter of a pack mule 
laden with intrenching tools, which strayed down the line, sent the 
men dropping singly and by squads to the rear. As the line melted 
away in the dark it was caught, and brought back by its officers. 
Discipline was strong ; but even discipline was not proof against the 
chance panics of the darkness. The assault followed, the long 
struggle over the ground won lasted through the day. When the 
battle was over the 148tli had lost one hundred and twenty-five killed 
and wounded, one man out of five. 

General BiY)okei, who commianded the Brigade in which Colonel 
Beaver served, in his official report to General Hancock of the rapid 
operations of the 12th, and the few preceding days, says: 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 265 

''Col. James A. Beaver distinguished himself on every occasion, 
but most particularly at the battle of tlie Po, My 10th, and at Spot- 
sylvania,- May 12th." 

So conspicuous had been his gallantry, and so valuable his serv- 
ices during: these days of tii-csome marching and hard fighting, that 
his superior officers desired to do more than compliment him in official 
reports. On May 13th, the day after tlie brilliant work at the Salient, 
General Barlow issued the following order : 

"Headquaktees First Division, Second Cokps, 

May 13, 1864. 
Oeders. 

Col. James A. Beaver, 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers, is 
hereby assigned to the command of the Third Brigade, and will re- 
port to these headquarters; at once. 

By command Brigadier General Barlow, 

John Hancock, 
Assistant Adjutant General." 

He of course reported, but asked to be allowed to decline the 
proffered advancement. He preferred, he said, not to leave his 
Regiment, He felt it his duty to stay by the men he had brought 
into the field. This was the second ot third time \\o had declined 
promotion, and Barlow asked, rather sternly, "when he would be 
willing to take a Brigade ?" 

"When the losses of war leave me the ranking officer of the Bri- 
gade in which my Regiment is serving," was the prompt, reply. 

On the night of the 20th, we turned our backs upon the bloody 
scenes of Spotsylvania, and resumed the flanking movement south- 
ward through Guinea's Station and Milford, to the ISTorth Anna 
River, the scene of our next engagement, from which we emerged 
with a loss of ten men. 

Continuing, Burr says : 

Weakened by losses, wearied by wearing marches in mud and 
rain, the Regiment, Friday, May 20th, fell into line at daybreak to 
begin the dangerous and hazardous movements of the next fortnight, 
which shifted the base of the Army from the Rapidan to the James, 
the Second Corps playing the part of the advancing h&lf. 
For over a week during this march the 148th shared the hazard and 
anxiety of daily movements, in which the entire force was aware that 
it was pushing alone into the enemy's country, with its flank exposed, 
aind its supports distant, liable any day to feel the weight of Lee's 
whole Army. It started across the Mat River after almost half a 
week's rest from actual fi2:htin2:. It was the turn of the First Di- 



266 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

vision to lead, and Saturday, the 21st, the 148tli had the front of the 
line, its march lying by a road which doubled the track of the Rich- 
mond, Fredericksburg- and Potomac Railroad, crossed the Mat, lay 
through Bowling Ureen, and at last brought the Reginieut aiL ^\liifard 
Station to the Mattapony, which was forded waist-deep. It was a 
long marcli for a single day, and it had brought the command out of 
the woods and tangled thickets of the region back of Fredericksburg, 
into the rolling land, the cultivated fields, and sandy soil of the lower 
Virginia rivers. The Corps was about to^ enter the second series 
of operations which ended with the dogged siege of Petersburg. 

The 148th led off with the first skirmish of the march. Fording 
the stream of the Matt-ajjony waist-deep, it captured a small camp at 
the cross roads just beyond the ford opposite Milford Station, made 
a few prisoners, and took the camp equipage. The trifling skirmish 
over, the Regiment was pushed out on a reconnaissance towards 
Harris' Store. "A very pleasant trip," says Colonel Beaver, in his 
diary ; "scared up a few of the enemy's cavalry, and were fired into 
by our own. Returned in the evening without losing a man." 

Wednesday night began the movements which were to end at 
Cold Harbor. A division at a time the National forces were started 
in tlie night, and a strong column was well on its way towards the 
Pamunkey before the new miarch was disoovered. Tlu^ Sixth, tlu' 
Fifth, and the ]!^inth Corps were successively removed, and at last 
tlie Second Corps was withdrawn across the stream. Again, as after 
the Wilderness, Colonel Beaver's Regiment furnished its share (two 
hundred men) of the last thin skirmish line left to veil a retreat by 
two bridges across a deep stream, l>efore a force, which now that the 
Second Corps lay before it alone, outnumbered the ^National forces 
three to one. Every man was brought off in safety. "Our Brigade 
crossed the river to the north bank last," says his diary. For two 
days, May 27th and 28th, steady maching continued, the Second 
Corps occupying the center of tlie advance. Thci Pamunkey was 
crossed, Brooke's Brigade was pushed to the front, in the series of 
operations whicli brought the Corps to Cold Harbor, and each after- 
noon saw a skirmish as the enemy's advance line was reached. His 
main position was still a day's march away, and the Brigade was 
hourly moved brief distances along the line of Totopotomoy until the 
way was opened for a movement on Cold Harbor. 

The assault at New Cold TTarbor was an attempt, by sheer and 
furious fighting, to force the advautaop which uinrcli nud uinuopuvrc 
had missed. Tt failed at a cost of life matched by no other fifteen 
minutes of four years war. Tt left the Regiment which Colonel 
Beaver commanded at the opening of the action, and the Brigade of 
which he was in command at its close, pusher] to tlie very lip of the 
enemy's position, lying in a work throAAm up under fire, at a biscuit 
toss frnin tho onouiv's works. 



THE 148TH FENNSYLP'ANIA VOLUNTEERS 26^- 

The Army once across the PamuiLkey and established on its 
southern bank, its next effort was to extend its line southward towards 
the James. The Second Corps marched at noon, May 29th, the next 
day, General Barlow's Division in the advance, reaching southward 
for the cross roads at Old Cold Harbor that spread towards both 
rivers. The order to march "abridged the divine service" at which the 
148th was gathered, and in the Sunday afternoon — to turn to General 
Hancock's report — "the enemy's skirmish line, strongly intrenched, 
was handsoiiiely carried without much loss, by skillful manoeuvring 
by Brooke's Brigade of Barlow's Division." 

General Brooke, in his official report to General Hancock of this 
movement, says : 

"I ordered Colonel Beaver, whose Regiment was deployed as 
skirmishers, to drive the enemy into his works if possible, and about 
4 :00 p. M., hearing firing on our left, I ordered him to make a strong 
attack, which proved successful." 

The slow advance across the Totopotonioy continued all day, and 
just at dusk a brisk rebel attack having fallen on Warren, Hancock 
was ordered again to attack to relieve the Fifth Corps. As usual the 
Brigade of which the 148tih formed a part was selected, particularly 
as, to quote General Hancock again, "there was no jilace on my line 
where an assault could be made with success at short notice. Brooke's 
Brigade, however," continues General Hancock's report, "advanced 
just at dark over obstacles which would have stopped a less energetic 
commander, and carried the enemy's advance line of rifle pits." 

The two Armies now lay in parallel lines,. each front covering an 
extent of about nine miles, the l!^ational forces daily developing to 
the left, and the Confederate to the right, the Second Corps working 
along with the rest, throwing up works almost hourly, and making 
each day an advance which brought the two binged lines closer to- 
gether. The Second Corps started lait 11 :00 p. m. to take its familiar 
place on the left of the line, where the blow of battle was to fall. 

It was hoped and intended to advance the Second Corps on the 
enemy immediately on their arrival, but the tired, hungry, heated 
troops needed rest and breakfast, and the assault was po«tponed until 
five in the afternoon. All the day before and during this day desul- 
tory fighting was in progress along the line ; but as Badeau says of 
the Second Corps and its commander, "all but Hancock were slower 
than the Lieutenant General desired." The assault was deferred 
again until early the next morning. 

Before day broke a heavy rain fell, "refreshing us exceedingly." 
The low mists and heavy clouds of early June still hung about the 
swamps and stunted pine thickets Avhen three Corps, the Second, 
Hancock's, the Sixth, Wrio-ht's, and the Eighteenth, Smith's, fell 
into line at 4 :00 a. ]\r. Their front stretched, with inter\^als, over 



268 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

two miles, and led up to the low riding ground on tihe part of which 
the Anny of tlie Potomac was stationed when Lee attacked McClellan 
in tJie early days of the War. 

Of the positions before the Army little was known, save th^at for 
three days they had been filling with rebel troops and artillery. The 
pickets of the two armies were touehino:. A reconiiaissanee was 
deemed impracticable ; the division commanders only knew that they 
were to push forward until tliey struck the enemy's works, and then 
carry them. The attack was a simple brute rush in open day on 
srtrong works. 

It cosit the National forces from twelve thousand to fourteen thou- 
sand in killed, wounded and missing, and one^fourth of this loss fell 
on the narrow line of the two divisions of the Second Corps in which 
the 148th charged. Into the wider fortunes of the field it is not 
necessary to enter. It is enough to describe the brief space in which 
some small measure of succesis was won by the First Division of the 
Second Corps in this bloody but fruitless struggle. General Barlow's 
Division, as it pushed forward in two lines, Brooke's and Miles' Bri- 
gades in the First and Byrnes' and McDougall's in the Second, fo\md 
itself, as it emerged from shelter, on a broad and level field running 
in a smooth and even slop© up to the enemy's works. The right of 
the advance passed over a sunken road which played its part in ob- 
structing an advance. The left, under General Brooke's immediate 
direction, went over the same road on a level, struck, half way up the 
hill, a rail fence, and from this point had no further obstruction but 
the hot fire of a nearly equal force. 

The charge at Spotsylvania had been made in a dense forma- 
tion which swept into the works like a flood. Here in broad day and 
on open ground, a full fair target for the enemy, this was out of the 
question. Instead, General Brooke spread along his front his rawest 
troops, the Yth New York, placed l>eliind them at an interval the two 
Brigades already noted, and in the rear the supporting second line 
under the command of Colonel Beaver. A battalion of the 148th 
Pennsylvania, under command of Major Forster of that Regiment, 
had been thrown out in advance of the assaulting column with in- 
structions to drive the enemy's pickets and skirmishers into their 
works. They did the work and joined their Regiment just as the 
front line made its final rush u]X)n the works. 

The brigade flag and ite commander went forward with the first 
line of raw men through the damp, tall, wet grass and clinging 
bushes. TTp the slope, over the fence, across the line and into the 
works the line went. It w\is the only point in all the day's fighting 
where the enemy's works were carried. Three gims, three hundred 
prisoners and a flag were picked up by the advancing force. The 
guns were turned, a hurried attempt was made to get the men in hand. 



i 



r 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 269 

General Brooke sprang back to change the direction of the advancing 
line that it might strike tlie works fair and not obliquely, caught the 
strong, manly voice of Colonel Beaver as he gave his Regiment a 
half-wheel, ''felt all was well if he was alive," to use his own words, 
turned to rejoin the men within the works and fell, hit by canistei'. 

"Tell Colonel Beaver he is in command and to push into the 
works. The Tth New York is already there," Brooke whispered to 
an Aide, and was carried off the field. 

The wounid deprived General Brooke of any further share in 
active military service dtiring tlie War ; but he bad already won the 
reputation of a brigade commander who had at once learned and 
taught the art of battle during the War, until he and his Brigade were 
worthy of each other and of the Second Corps, whose charge they so 
often led. Higher praise it would not be easy to frame. 

The staff quickly reported to Beaver and he made a rush to gain 
the salient, but before he reached it the enemy's supports crowded 
into the works which had just been carried; the assaulting troops 
began to stream back ; the assault was over ; th.e line was checked at 
the rail fence half way up the slope, not thirty yards from the enemy's 
position. Any one of a thousand chances of war would have left the 
advance of the Second Corps again within the enemy's line, but the 
single chance was gone. 

But if not in it they were on it, and to hold the advantage gained 
gave Colonel Beaver another brilliant opportunity which he readily 
gras'ped. He pushed his force almost up to the summit of the sloi>e 
and there gave battle with his second line, while his first gathered 
rails and threw up works on the very edge of the rebel position, from 
which they could not be driven, even under the converging fire of a 
long line of works at a point Where a week's sap might have brought 
a force. "With a gallantry rairely exhibited under such ciix^um- 
stances," says General Hancock's Life, written under the direction 
of his staff, "a part of General Barlow's line, particularly the il48th 
Pennsylvania Regiment, Colonel Beaver comimanding, faced to the 
enemy, within a short distance of his line, and held their ground 
until they had constructed with their bayonets and hands a cover 
which enabled them to hold on permanently." 

Plates and bayonets, bare hands and rails from the fence, ex- 
tended the work, deepened and established it, until it gave a precar- 
ious shelter. How precarious Colonel Beaver soon came to know. 

Early in the day he was hit by a spent bullet which had just 
gone through the body of an Aide, Capt. J. B. Brady, who stood talk- 
in sr to him. Later, as he sat talking to Colonel Morris of the 7th 
^ew York, he learned that the latter's was the earlier commission. 
and that he should have commanded the Brigade after Brooke was 
disabled instead of himself. He was apologizing for having taken 



270 THE STORY Of OUR REGIMENT 

couiinaiid by Brooke's orders and had yielded his authority to Morris. 
An incautious movement exposed that officer and he fell, shot through 
the heart, leaving Colonel Beaver still in command. 

The day was full of these things, for the action struck from the 
rolls of the Second Corps many of its best officers — Tyler, Brooke, 
Byrnes, Mc^Mahon, Haskell, McKeen, Porter and Morris of the 7th 
and Morris of the GGth xsew York, most of them killed. Two Cren- 
erals and seven Colonels fell in a few minutes, officers of lower rank 
were shot down by the score. ''My loss in commanders," said Gen- 
eral Hancock, in his report, ''was unusually severe; it was a blow 
from which the Corps did not soon recover." In the hour's assault 
three thousand and twenty-four men fell, nearly a tenth cdnnnissioned 
officers. General Hancock might well speak of it as "a loss without 
precedent." Indeed since the Army crossed the Rapidan the losses 
of the Second Corps had been ''without precedent." Grant had used 
it as the hammer's head with which he had pounded at Lee for nearly 
four weeks. It was no wonder tliat a few days after Cold Harbor, 
upon the banks of the James, Hancock should have said to an officer 
who asked him where his Corps was, "It lies buried between the 
Rapidan and the James." 

Of the exceedingly delicate operation of withdrawing from our 
position I quote: 

The days in the trenches soon passed, and finally Grant and 
Lee tired of watching and barking at each other. Grant had deter- 
mined to make a bold move for the James, and, if possible, to get 
far enough from the Confederate lines for breathing room. Sunday, 
June 12th, the delicate and hazardous movement began. It was no 
easy task for any of tihe Army to get away without giving notice to 
the enemy of the movement. To that portion of the Second Corps in 
the advance the hazard was increased ; but to Colonel Beaver's com- 
mand the move was full of peril. To get the pickets off without loss 
was the most delicate of military operations. 

The task, hard in any case, is hardest of all when a partially 
intrenched ]X)sition, a few yards from the enemy's works, has to 
bo silently abandoned by the thin line left to guard it, when the main 
body of the Army is miles away, and support is neither provided nor 
expected. The manner of the manoeuvre is in Colonel Beaver's 
language: 

"Our Brigade was the only one so near tin? enemy as to endanger 
it materially. We kept the band playing its liveliest measures, and 
moved without commands, leaving our pickets on post. The pickets 
withdrewat a later hourwithout the loss of a man. 1 bad boon ordered 
to leave my best troops on picket, and was disinterested enough to 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 271 

leave my own Regiment. I was tlierefoi"e very anxions about the 
pickets. They came in all right some hours after we reached here." 

Col. W. P. Wilson, who was then an Aide to General Hancock, 
and was left by him, with Colonel Ilamil, the corps officer of the 
day, to help withdraw the pickets, tells of the delicate O'peration, and 
how carefully each man was slipped from his post, and the force con- 
centrated at a given point. 

"The 'Order to each man," said Wilson, "was to move at a cer- 
tain moment straight to the rear. Colonel Hamil's watch had been 
carefully compared with all the time-pieces on the line. It seemed 
an age lafter the Corps moA-ed before the minmte came when the criti- 
cal effort was to be made' to withdraw the pickets. When it did come 
I stood in the woods watching the men as each carefully obeyed his 
instructions, and moved directly to the rear. Every man reached the 
|X)int for uniting before the enemy discovered the disappearance of 
the line. 

"I sat' on my horse in the woods in plain sight of their position. 
At last one man looked over the v^^orks, and, as no shot greeted him, 
another poked his head over, and in half^a minute they swarmed over 
like rats and into our abandoned works. When their officeTS found 
we were gone the assembly! sounded, and they were on the march al- 
most as soon as we. I watched them a moment until our pickets were 
well under way, and, finding that they were not going to follow us, 
rode off, and Hancock's position at Cold Harbor was thus successfully 
abandoned without the loss of a man." 

The 148th Regiment was selected as the picket guard to be left 
to cover the front, after the Second Corps withdrew. Colonel Wilson 
testifies how it peTfor'med the delicate and hazardous duty. 

The situation during our nine days in these trenches was stren- 
uous in the extreme. So close were the lines that we could toss 'a hard 
tack from one to the other. The most trivial alarm i would cause a 
fusilade of cannon and musketry. Shells would explode overhead 
and fragments would drop down anywhere. Mortars were used on 
our side, sending shells in beautiful curves to drop and explode among 
the enemy. We kept a line of ' videttes between the lines at night, who 
would crawl out very cautiously and dig pits in the sand, from which 
they kept watch against* a surprise by the enemy. 

One night Private Wm. Acker, of Company I, was detailed for 
this duty. He_ was 'a model soldier. Brave, cool and cheerful, he 
was always fully equip'ped and ready for duty. He was a bright, 
witty fellow, full of quips and quirks, songs' '^and st^ories, the life of 
his mess and his company. He pushed his way far out toward the 



272 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

enemy's line and^dug his pit. In the next post was a raw recruit 
froTn another company, who did not advance nearly so far, and dug 
his pit. During the night this man took fright' at some little noise 
and blazed away witli an awkward oblique aim, and put his bullet 
through the ami' of Acker. He crawled in with his broken arm and 
the Colonel sent a man to relieve the other vidette. When he came 
in the Colonel looked him through with blazing eyes, and broke out, 
"You great ass ! You have shot a m'an worth a dozen of you. You 
are not fit to carry a gam. I'll have you detailed as company cook." 

One day Major Forster was lying in a shelter tent eating his 
dinner, when a piece of shell dropped from the sky and buried itself 
in the ground, striking the edge of a plate of peas on its way and 
spattering the contents over the Major's face and breast. 

The loss of my horses at "Coffee Hill" had made me rather 
chary of investments in horse flesh, and I had been riding a con- 
demned Government animal that did very well. My man rode him 
up as near as he thought safe, tied him in the timber by the roadside, 
and came on foot to the front with my dinner. On his return he 
found the horse lying dead with a bullet hole through 'the saddle flap 
where the ball had entered his side. 

Here at Cold 'Harbor I lost my dear friend Lieut. J. Seydel 
Lander, of Company C. The friendship between this noble gentle^ 
man and myself was most congenial, and a source of constant enjoy- 
ment. It was, I suppose, an illustration of the theory of affinity of 
opposites. He was a blonde of fair face, blue eyes and light hair, 
while I was of the opposite type physically, but in tartes, habits and 
mental make up, we were in perfect accord. His was a charming per- 
sonality — a gentleman by birth and breeding — an only son in a most 
excellent family of parents and sisters, whose pride and joy he was. 

He was a Sergeant in Company C and was promoted First Lieu- 
tenant after all its ofiicers had been killed in battle. He had been 
detailed Acting Quartermaster during the absence of that oflicer and 
had been relieved just before the charge. Company K being without 
an officer, Lander was assigned to its command. He led the com- 
pany through the bloody assault without a wound. A few days later 
we sat in the trench and talked for an hour. He was still in command 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS <21-6 

of K, and with a remark to the effect that he must go to his 
company he left me. On his way to the company he came 
to where Colonel Beaver and General Barlow were seated, in 
conversation. As the Colonel spoke to him he stopped, and in a 
few minutes was killed by a piece of shell from a battery on our ex- 
treme left froiiit, which partly enfiladed our line. I wired the 
sad event to my wife, who carried the news to his family, and has 
often spioken of her mission as a most painful duty. My dear com- 
panion Lander ! His memory has been ever with me in all the forty 
years since he left my side at 1>loody Cold Harbor. No purer soul, 
no more winsome personality, no nobler patriot, was ever offered on 
the nation's altar. 

We crossed the James Kiver on the morning of June 14th with 
haversacks and stomachs emipty. We had been told that a. transport 
would be there to supply us with rations, but it failed to appear. We 
waited several hours and at last marched without supplies. All da\ 
on the 16th we lay on a ridge facing the line of Confederate out- 
works of Petersburg, watching the enemy as they came from Lee's 
left and occupied the works. At six o'clock in the evening, when they 
were quite ready for us, we made the assault, and even then might 
have won a victory but for tlie wounding of Colonel Beaver, who 
was in command of the Brigade. Some of our men wlio had been 
captured in the earlier movements and who escaped on the way to 
Richmond and came back I'eported that in the early morning of the 
16th there was not a line of battle of the enemy between us and 
Petersburg. 

About this time T was detailed as Acting Assistant Adjutant 
General of the Fourth Brigade, then commanded by Lieut. Col. John 
Hastings, and served to the time of my discharge on the Brigade staff. 
On the 4th of July I was relieved as Acting Assistant Adjutant Gen- 
eral and detailed as Acting Aide-de-Camp, and on the 24th was again 
detailed as Acting Assistant Adjutant General and sio continued to 
the end, serving under Colonel Hastings, Lieut. Col. K. O. Broady, 
Col. Wm. Glenny, Col. St. Clair A. Mulholland, and Gen. John Ram- 
sey. From this time forward I had no personal connection with the 



274 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Regiment, and can only speak of matters which 'came under my no- 
tice incidentally as a staff officer of the Brigade. 

From the 1st to the 26th of Jnly we were alternately cm the 
line (the "firing line" in the phrase of the day) or in reserve. The 
brigade headquarter camp was located in a little grove on the sandy 
plateau that extended over most of tlie line, and it was made tolerably 
comfortable by supplementing the bit of shade afforded by the few 
trees. Posts were set up, poles laid across, and the whole covered 
with pine boughs, making an arbor-like awning of perhaps an acre in 
extent. 

On the 22d of June an attempt was made to extend our lines to 
the left. The Division under command of General Barlow advanced 
into the woods beyond the Jerusalem road in front of Fort Mahone, 
where we halted, stacked arms, and the troops remained at rest. Col. 
John Fraser, of the 140th Pennsylvania, was in command of the Bri- 
gade, having been assigned the day before. We lay quietly for sev- 
eral hours. Colonel Fraser and the staff forming a group just in rear 
of the line. We soon began to hear a racket on our left, and presently 
a scattering fire of musketry was heard: This kept up increasingly, 
and looking as far as we could see through the woods, the line on the 
extreme left began to melt away. Now an occasional rainie sang 
by us or cut a twig close by, and then a line of battle of the enemy 
appeared over the brow of a hill away on the left. They came stead- 
ily on, moving right up on our rear, firing rapidly, and our line kept 
melting away, the men passing rapidly to the rear. No commands 
were given by any officer. No one knew where General Barlow was, 
and as the enemy approached the left of our Brigade, I asked Colonel 
Fraser what he intended to do. His reply was that his orders were, 
to remain in position until further orders from the division com- 
mander. The left of our Brigade now began to melt away, and Cap- 
tain Hamlin of the 145th Pennsylvania rode up, saluted the Colonel 
and said : 

"Have you any orders for my regiment?" 

The Colonel replied, "No, sir; my orders are to remain here. 
You can do as you think best." 

Captain Hamlin snlutod, rodo to the front of his regiment and 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 275 

commanded, 'Tall in — ^Take arms — Forward by file right — March," 
and rode off at the head of his command — the only regiment that left 
the field in regular order. By this time there was but little left of the 
Brigade except the commander and staff. I again appealed to the 
Colonel for orders, but he declined to assume any responsibility, say- 
ing, however, that the staff was at liberty to do as we chose. Having 
no desire for prison life, I said, "Gentlemen, I think we had better 
follow the troops," and with a hasty good-bye we left the Colonel to 
the courtesies of Mahone's troops. A few days later his name ap- 
peared in the list of prisoners at Libby. 

The first expedition to Deep Bottom, or Strawberry Plains, 
north of the James, began on the 26th of June, and lasted until the 
30th, when we re-occupied our camp, just in time to witness the ex- 
plosion of Burnsiide's Mine. 

The second Deep Bottom movement continued from the 12th 
to the 19th of August. The Regiment and part of the 7th ISTew York 
was loaded on a transport at City Point and moved up the James 
River. The boat ran aground on the way and we were delayed several 
hours in reaching the point where the troops were to land. The oper- 
ations at Deep Bottom were very fatiguing and very unsatisfactory. 
General Barlow criticized the troops quite freely, while General Han- 
cock mildly questioned Barlow's conduct in failing to mass his Bri- 
gades and Divisions in the assaults, while commending his personal 
gallantry and devotion. He says however, that the troops were "en- 
gaged daily in skirmishing with the enemy, and on several occasions 
in considerable affairs which, at an earlier period of the War, would 
have been dignified with the name of battles." (Rebellion Records 
No. 87, p. 221.) 

We began the return movement on the night of the 20th and 
reached our old camp early in the morning of the 21st. Hancock 
says, "This march was one of the most fatiguing and difficult per- 
formed by the troops during the campaign" — a statement which I 
can very fully endorse. Though mounted, I was never so utterly 
worn out and exhausted. I slept in my saddle much of the time on 
the march, and when we reached the site of the old camp, where we 
expected to remain, I sat down on a pile of tents which had been un- 



276 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

loaded, and debated whether to eat or sleep. I was unable to decide 
whether I was more tired or more hungry. Nature soon settled the 
question and I dropped sound asleep. In a few minutes I was aroused 
by an orderly with orders to be ready to march. It seemed to us an 
impossibility to move another step, but we were soon on our way to 
the left. We marched until late in the afternoon, and bivouacked in 
a clover field near the Gurly House, not far from the Weldon Rail- 
road. The fragrant clover was a royal bed, and the men got a much 
needed night's rest. I spread my poncho and wool blanket, and with 
my saddle for a pillow and a blanket over all, was soon sound asleep. 
But I was not to be left undisturbed. I. was aroused by an orderly 
from division headquarters with an order from Captain Driver, 
Assistant Adjutant General, for the "Morning Report," to be for- 
warded at once. This meant a tour of all the regiments to procure the 
reports, a ride of a mile or more to the rear to find the headquarter 
wagon, the consolidating and recording of the report and its trans- 
mission to the Division. I resolved that I would do nothing of the 
sort. I was so far gone with tlie desperation of fatigue that a repri- 
mand had no terrors. I simply lay still and ydlled "Orderly" until 
he appeared. I directed him to call on each regimental commander 
with my compliments and tell him to have the Morning Report made 
up, being sure to see every one. When he had given the order to the 
lust regiment he was to go back to the first and wait till he got the 
report, and so on to the last. When he had secured all the reports he 
was to ride back, find the brigade wagon, wake up Millard (the very 
capable clerk), have him consolidate them and sign Colonel Broady's 
name, and send them up to division headquarters. "And now, Orderly, 
bt sure you do this all riglit, and don't you wake me up tonight." I 
never heard from the matter, and I suppose it went through all right. 
T see from Comrade Ramsey's story, that he was as badly afflicted 
by the untimely order as T was. 

On the 22d we were employed in repairing roads, and on the 23d 
we began the work of destroying the Weldon Railroad. In the eve- 
ning we occupied the slight breastworks at Reams Station, and next 
morning we were relieved by the Second Division, and continued the 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 277 

Avork of desitiniction, ^^4licl^ ^ve ooaiipleted to a point about tliree miles 
'beyond tlie stiation. 

Tlie battle of Reams Station was fonglit on the 25th of August. 
A slight breastwork extended southwesterly from the railroad a dis- 
tance of several rods, turned south for a considerable distance, and 
then ran southeast to the track. This part of the line was held by o\ir 
Brigade, the long front being O'ccupied by the batitery, supported l>y 
tJie 7th Jv'ew York Heavy Artillery. The 14Htih was in reserve. In 
front of our right was timber with slasliing. In front of the battery 
was a large open field. Beyond tliis, timber, fences 'and scattered 
trees. Coiifederate sharpshooters Vv'cre posted in tree tops and fence 
rows, and during the afternoon were very active in picking off our 
officers and shooting the battery horses. So effective was their work 
that the artillery suft'ered the loss of one hundred and thirty-four 
liorses. It now became evident that a large force of the enemy was 
in our frr)nt, and that a 1>attle was imminent. Colonel Broady, how- 
ever, who was in command of tdie ]3rigade, seemed to be of the opinion 
that there was no considerable force of the enemy present. Colonel 
Broady and staff were resting on the embankment of an ice house in- 
side the lines, when he directed me to order the commanding officer 
of the l-lStli to take the Regiment in front of the works, deploy, ad- 
vance across the field and "Drive away that rebel skirmish line." The 
liegiment being still in reserve I gave the order, I think, to Captain 
Bhinehart, who was in command, altliough Captain Weaver was coin- 
manding later in the action. The Begimemt moved out at. once 
across the field. A few men halted l>ehind a small house near 
the farther side of the field, and, when Colonel Broady obseiwed it 
lit ordered me to "Go out tliere and drive those men away from thiat 
house." There was of course nothing to do l)ut <)l>:>y the order, but I 
thonght it (piite useless to send a regiment against an army corps of 
the enemy, and wondering why ihe wanted to have me killed on a use- 
less errand, I said, "Good-bye, Colonel," and started. The field was 
covered by the fire of dozens of sharpshooters, and I liad no lack of 
the music of the minies oai the way out ^and back, but I executed my 
Uiission and got back without a scratch, to find that while T was gone. 
Colouol Benverhnd arrived, relieved C-louel Bmady. tnkci! cnnmeiud 



278 THE SrORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

of tihe Brigade, lost liis log and been carried otf the field. About five- 
o'clock the attack l)egan. The eaiemj appeared at the further edge 
of the field in double oolunin and moved grandly across the open 
space with officers inounted and colors flying. It was Pickett's Charg.^ 
at Getty&lmrg on a smaller scale. The 148th was put in line at the 
angle on the right, aud I remained with it through the fight. The 
Briga.de held its fire until the enemy came in easy range, when artil- 
lery and infantry opened with a volley that tore their coluuins with 
awful slaughter — all 'but one regiment that occupied the line with the 
batteries. They did not fire a shot. The enemy closed up ranks and 
came on with desperate resolution. On our left they pressed up 
within a balf dozen rr.ids of onr line. In unr immediate front the 
slashing had broken up their lines and our fire bad practically 
slo])j)ed their advance. The 148th now direeted its fire ol)liquely 
u))iin tlu> enemy io our left. They were falling by sciores — their lin(> 
wavered — victoi'y trembled in the 1>a]aiU'C' — in two minutes nirire, T 
;!m snre, they will lie in retreat — but jnst then the regiment referred 
tn^ — a fnll regiment mostly drafted nu'u, was seized with panic, broke 
from the line and ran, like a flock of sheep, to the cover of the rail- 
road cut a few rods in rear. This left the battery with no support 
and a considerable part of the line with(Uit infantry. With a yell of 
triumph the enemy rushed to the attack. They rallied in onr own 
fi'ont and came in a surging mass over the works. The 148th met 
ibem with steel and clubbed muskets. For minutes that seemed 
lioui's the desperate hand-to-hand encounter went on with all the fury 
<d" the Salient at Spotsylvania. But soou the enemy were over the 
works on the left — ^our batteries taken and turned right and left 
sending our own shrapnel into our ranks, and retreat was inevitable. 
The battle of Beams Station — the first and only disast(>r that ever 
l)efell the s])lendid Second (\)rps — was lost by the defection of a 
single regiment. 

Th(* next day I was sitting with Colonel Beaver in the fi(dd hos-j 
pital after his leg had been amputated, wIumi Colonel ]\Iilescame in tO' 
ofi'er liis condolences. With a tear in liis (>ye he s.aid, "It's too Ixid, 
Colonel, too bad." BeavC'r looke*! up with a very cheevful expve-sion 
and s;ii(b "Oh, 1 don't know, Coloneb it miii'ht be wiir~e." 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 279 

On our retreat from Reams a spiteful bit of shell fired by the 
rebels from our own guns caught me under the knee and inflicted a 
bruise which afterward became very painful and kept me in hospital 
for several days. On the 29th I got leave of absence on account of 
wounds and went home for twenty days. 

On the Yth of September, Sergt. Maj. Joseph E. Hall was com- 
missioned Adjutant of the 183d Pennsylvania,. Hall had been ap- 
pointed Sergeant Major of the 148th at the time of my promotion, as 
I remember, at my request, and had served with me during all the 
time I remained with the Regiment. He was a very young man — 
beardless and boyish looking, but he was a manly fellow, capable, 
ambitious, and entirely faithful to duty. He soon became quite effi- 
cient and was always my reliable assistant. I was greatly delighted 
at his well earned promotion. See his story, "The Transferred 
Officer." 

During the quiet that prevailed in Septemiber and October, I 
took fifteen days leave of absence and made a short visit home, start- 
ing on the 22d of October. On my return I learned the details of 
the brilliant exploit of Capt. Jerry Z. Brown and the hundred men 
O'f the Regiment, which won him a Major's brevet, and added new 
stars to the Regiment's crown. 

On the 8th of November the Regiment indulged in the novelty 
of a presidential election in the trenches 'before Petersburg, The 
count showed 199 votes, of which 127 were for Lincoln and 72 for 
McClellan. This was my first vote for a President and it was counted 
with the 127. 

The siege of Petersburg now settled down to a winter quarter en- 
cam]>mpnt. The headquarters 'camp of the Brigade was located on a 
ridge of ground sloping towards the west. Here we put up very com- 
fortable huts for the commander. Colonel Mulholland, and the staff. 
My OAvn quarters, thanks to the skill and kindness of Corporal Baum- 
gardner, of the pioneer corps, was quite palatial. On one of our hard 
marches — perhaps in the Gettysburg campaign — as T was riding from 
the rear to the head of the column, I saw Baumgardner lying by the 
roadside panting with asthma, with which he was badly afflicted. T 
stopped to talk with him, and he asked me to try and detail him to 



280 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

some duty that would be less arduous than serving in the ranks. He 
said he thought he could stand it better in the pioneer corps, and I 
promised to detail him at the first cpportunity. This I was able to 
do in a short time, and he never forgot the little favor. I was under 
obligations to him for many helpful services, and at this camp he was 
promptly on hand to put up my quarters. He was a skillful mechanic, 
and he laid himself out on the job. He builtf a little house of pun- 
cheons hewn out of the logs from a bam near by, put in a puncheon 
floor, set up a ridge pole and stretched a fly over it, borrowed some 
brick from a house chimney, and built a fire place and chimney at 
one side. He hung a board door at the front, and whittled out a knob 
latch for it, and built a neat bunk in one comer. After all was fin- 
ished, 1 papered the walls with refuse blanks, white on one side, and 
had a wall tent set up adjoining the "house" at the rear with a back 
door communicating, for use as a clerk's office. In these cosy quarters 
I passed the time in routine service of camp life to the end of my 
service. We had the usual drills and inspections and an occasional 
review, and nearly every night I would receive a bundle of orders 
from division headquarters. Lying sound asleep in my bunk, a di- 
vision orderly would pound on my door until I waked up and took the 
dispatches. Later on 1 would wake up at his first step, and at last, 
such is the power of habit, I would hear the first clatter of his horse's 
hoofs and be out of bed ready to receive the orders as soon as he 
reached my door. With a bright fire burning in my open chimney, 
and a candle light at my side, I would sit down at my little desk and 
look over the orders, noting in pencil the disposition to be made of 
each, pass them back to the clerk to make copies, or otherwise, and 
lie down and be asleep in a minute. "When the clerk brought in his 
work I would be awake and up in an instant, sign the orders and call 
an orderly to carry the dispatches to the regiments. All this in time 
became so much a habit that it was no hardship to wake up at any 
hour of the night and attend to business. 

About this time Colonel Mulholland was relieved from the com- 
mand of the Brigade by Gen. John Ramsey, and we parted Avith the 
Colonel with sincere regret. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 281 

On the 28tli of January I obtained leave of absence for twenty 
days. Some time during the nigiit preceding the day on which I was 
to start on my leave, I heard a clatter of hoofs near my quarters, and 
on opening the door I found an Orderly in charge of an ambulance. 
He informed me that he had a lady in cliarge, Mrs. Beach, the wife 
of our Brigade Commissary. She had run the gauntlet of all the 
authorities and sentinels from Washington to the front, and had come 
to visit her husband. He inquired where Captain Beach's quarters 
were. I told him they were down on the flat in front ; that it was a 
low marshy spot, and the quarters were full of boxes of hard tack, 
pickled pork and commissary supplies of all kinds and wholly unfit 
for a lady ; and that he should bring Mrs. Beach to my quarters, and 
I would go down and bring the Captain up. So the lady took a seat 
at my fire and I brought her husband up, and turned my quarters 
over to them. Xext morning I packed up my |>ersonal effects and 

[took my leave of the staff, said my good-bye to Captain and Mrs. 

[Beach, bidding them to occupy my bouse till my return. I never saw 

[my cosy winter home or the Army again, and have never heard of 

[Captain Beach. 

On the way home I took a severe cold, and on the way to Illinois 

[with my wife, kept on taking cold, which developed into pneumonia, 
so that I was not able to return within my twenty days. I got an 

[extension on surgeon's certificate, but was no better at the end of the 

[next twenty days. At the advice of my physician I forw^arded my 

[resignation, and on the 28th of March, 1865, was discharged on sur- 
j;eon's certificate of disability. 

This acute attack of illness was exceedingly provoking, depriv- 

png me, as it did, of a part in the closing scenes of the War, besides 

fcausing me to miss the Grand Review in May, by which time I had 

[nearly recovered my usual health. 

My story is done. T cannot recall — and would not if T could — 
single unpleasant incident in all the years of my association with 

[the noble comrades of the 148th, while the retrospect is rich in mem- 
)ries of countless acts of kindness, courtesy and helpfulness that 
yelded the ties of soldierly friendship. Dear old comrades, one and 

[all, hail and farewell! 



THE QUARTERMASTER'\S STORY. 

By Lieutenant S. D. Musser. 

In September, 1862, the writer was a merchant in Pine Grove 
Mills, Pennsylvania, in partnership with Dr. Geo. M. Swartz, when 
a recruiting office was opened in the town. Professor Thomas, of 
Pine Grove Academy, which, was then in prosperous condition, en- 
listed with quite a number of students, among them William Gemmill. 
who was a warm personal friend of mine. He was later made a 
Lieutenant and is now a minister of the Gospel. I owned a horse 
and buggy and offered to take my friend, Mr. Gemmill, to Centre 
Hall, Pennsylvania, to be sworn into service. The evening we ar- 
rived at Centre Hall, Capt. Andrew Musser's Company D was 
found to be short six men, same having been taken away from him 
and put into Company F. Previous to this, an order had been 
issued tliat a company could not be sworn in unless a full number. 
This left Captain Musser in a bad shape, as he was to have been 
sworn in the following morning ; men all present except the six men- 
tioned above. 

The writer, being well acquainted with the young men of the 
town, remarked to the following: George Boal, John Odenkirk, Mr. 
Rankin, John H. Fortney, William Ross and David L. Kerr-- 
"Boys, let us fill this gap in Captain Musser's coni]>any ami go to 
War." And I think it was comrade Geo. Boal who said, ''You lead 
and we will follow." I said, "Boys will you all follow?" The re- 
sponse came as one voice, "Yes." I said, "Come boys" as I knew 
the enrolling list was in the office of William Wolf's store. We 
marched six strong into the office and enrolled our names. The next 
morning I sent my horse and buggy back to Pine Grove Mills, sent 
word to my partner to hire Ellis Burchficld in the store, that T was 
"going to fight the Johnnies." 

The company was sworn in and we were taken to Lewistown, 
the nearest railroad station, in wagons. We arrived in Harrisburg 
and were soon initiated into sr)l(lior life. Wliilo there I was promoted 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 283 

from private to Orderly Sergeant, afterward to Quartermaster Ser- 
geant and later to Quartermaster. 

Our Regiment was fomied as the 148th and James A. Beaver 
was appointed Colonel. The Regiment was transferred to Cockeys- 
ville and Lutherville, Maryland, to guard the railroad, which tlie 
boys thought was hard and laborious duty, but after we got into ac- 
tive ser\'ice they looked back upon that work and called it "Sunday 
soldiering." 

At this camp we had in way of rations, all that a soldier could 
wish for. Received our supplies from Baltimore. The fresh beef 
was killed in the neighborhood of Lutherville, and fine cattle at that, 
in fact it could not have come to us any better ; yet with it all, the 
boys were dissatisfied and often I would overhear remarks as this, 
' Well this is not what we were used to at home." It is true, we did 
nft have the variety, such food as buckwheat cakes and honey, 
sj^ioed cakes and peach preserves, etc., but we had good solid sub- 
stantial food, such as a soldier must have to fit him for marching 
and fighting. While at this camp we had many visitors from Centre 
County, Pennsylvania, and will recite a little incident which I re- 
call to mind in reference to Mr. Jacob Condo, of Woodward, Penn- 
sylvania, who was among our guests. One morning after lie had 
eaten his breakfast, he made the remark "Musser, you know my wife 
is a good cook ?" I answered "Yes ;" he concluded, "Well when I 
go home I will tell her that I ate the best fried potatoes here that I 
ever ate in all my life." 

From my quarters he went to Colonel Beaver's to "give the 
Colonel a little information" as he stated. When he saw the Colonel, 
he said, "Colonel, the boys tell me tbat you are a little too severe on 
them." The Colonel aisked him in whlat way. "Well you are too 
particular." The Colonel remarked, "Mr. Condo, if you would 
break a colt, would you break him with a loose or tight rein ?" Condo 
replied, "With a tight rein." The Colonel said, "That is the id_ea 
exactly, after the colt is trained with a tight rein and the rein is 
afterward slacked up, he enjoys it all the more." Mr. Condo saw the 
point and said, "That is right, Colonel, that is right." 



284 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

When the engagement between Burnside and Lee began at 
Fredericksburg, our Regiment was ordered to the front. We ar- 
rived at City Point and from there marched to Falmonth where we 
went into winter quarters built of fine tall pine trees. Here we re- 
mained until spring, when our first engagement took place at Chan- 
cellorsville, in which engagement our Regiment suffered wonderfully 
and where we learned the value of being trained and drilled with a 
''tight rein" and I think learned to appreciate and love our Colonel. 

Tn the engagement of Cold Harbor, I received my commission as 
Quartermaster, our Quartermaster, Kurtz, having resigned on ac- 
count of sickness. Lieutenant Lander was then acting Quarter- 
master (as fine a man as carried a sword) and almost at the mo- 
ment I received my commission, he was determined to go to tlio front 
to take his place in his company. I tried to persuade him to remain 
until the following day, but could not do so. He joined his com- 
pany, and the sajne day was shot through the head by a rebel. When 
I received the news I could not have been more affected if he had 
been a brother. 

No doubt many remember that there were often complaints 
heard that soldiers were short in rations on a march. This I will 
say, that when an army is in active service and marching from place 
to place, it is almost impossible for a commissary to supply the men 
at all times promptly, and naturally when men are f aitigued from bard 
IP arching, they can and will eat more rations than is usually al- 
lowed them, in which event we would sometimes run short. Often 
the roads were in such fearful condition that it was almost imjws- 
sible to get a team through to where the Army was located, and 
would naturally delay the supply teams. Take for instance, when 
we broke camp in the spring after Grant took charge of the Army ; 
we would get into places where a number of teams had passed before 
and where the wagons would sink in mud arid water to the box of 
the wagon. The mules would sink in and stick fast in the mud and 
fall, so that we were obliged to wade in and keep their heads up to 
pre\'ent them from smothering, start the team and drag them out. 
All this was a great delay. Often I was obliged to ride in advance 
and find new routes through the woods^ in order to avoid places that 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 285 

were cut so deep it was impossible to get a team througli. Knowing 
and seeing sncli delays is enough to convince anyone that supplies 
must naturally be delayed. 

iSTever will I forget a trip I made from Chanoellorsville, at the 
time of the battle in progress there. I was ordered by the Brigade 
Quartermaster to Falmouth with six teams after forage. When I ar- 
rived there the forag'e was all removed from there to Acquia Creek. I 
started to Acquia Creek tliix)ugh a pouring rain; all the streams were 
swelling like rivers, bridges were being swept away, and I had an 
awful time to get back to the Amiy. Traveled all day and all night 
through the rain. Before I got back to where I started from, I met 
the Army coming back, and before I was through with that trip I 
landed near Falmouth. I mention these facts, which are but a few 
out of many, to show what delays we had to contend with. 

When I read of the difficulties and delays in getting 
supplies and rations during the Spanish-American W^ar, I could 
readily realize the condition of the commissary department. It is 
a very easy matter to find fault, but it is not so easy to remedy it 
when placed in the same situation. 

Speaking of my trip from City Point to Chancellorsville with 
the forage, I met the ambulances coming in almost by the- hundred, 
and one incident has never been fully erased from my mind. Com- 
pany D will remember Charles Hart. As one of the ambulances 
was passing me I heard a voice calling "■Quartermaster," On look- 
ing up I discovered Charles Hart calling my attention to one of his 
legs which was only a stump, saying, and laughing at the same time, 
''Quartermaster, this is what you get up there, you had better hurry 
up or you may not get one." j^ext time I saw him Avas at Pine 
Grove Mills when I was home on a furlough; he then had a cork 
foot, and no one could recognize the artificial attachment. 

Another incident I feel like mentioning here which was similar 
to the case of Lieuteniant Lander, was when Colonel Beaver returned 
from a furlough on account of a wound. He arrived at my quarters 
in the evening, stayed there until next morning, when I furnished 
him a horse, and accompanied by my Sergeant, Deviney, he went to 
the front He at once took command of his Brigade and rode along 



286 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

the line to take in the situation, when he returned, he remarked to 
Sergeant Deviney, "Sergeant, you may take this horse back to the 
Quartermaster, I don't tiliink it is heahhy here on horse back." The 
Sergeant had hardly left with the horse when Colonel Beaver sud- 
denly dropped, and his right leg was gone. When the news reached 
me, I went at onoe to the front and found the leg had been ampu- 
tated and the Colonel was asleep. That was the last of our heroic 
General serving his country as a brave soldier, and great was the 
loss to the 148th, as well as to the Army of the Potomac. But lie 
still lives at this writing and is serving his countiy in civil life. I 
learned to know him las Colonel, next as General, next as Gov- 
ernor and at this writing as Judge of Superior Court. The 148tli 
can be proud of its offioere and private men, many of whom are of 
great prominence in the world at this time. 

August 7th, 1902, Scranton, Pennsylvania. 



THE AMBULANCE OFFICER'S STORY. 

By Capi. J. H. Harpster. 

(The following letter from Captain Harpster, is so breezy and suggestive 
that we insert it as an introduction to the story. — Editor.) 

Rev. J. H. Harpster, 

Mission Supt. 

A. E. L. M. Rajahmundry, April 20, 1904. 

My Dear vJeneral : I have just come in from a three months' 
tour in the jungles. I have your last letter. I am thoroughly 
ashamed of myself. My only apology is tliat I have been driven like 
a dog, and a "yaller" one at that. I start for the Hills to take my 
first day oif since my return to India. I will get "The Ambulance 
Officer's Story" off to you within two weeks. It is due the History, 
however, that I make it clear beforehand that it will not be much 
of a story. For I have absolutely no data whatever, so far as any 
written record is concerned. I must draw the story entirely from 
memory — after 39 years. Still, for your soke, I'll do what I can. 

I trust the years are dealing kindly with you. As for me, 
thoiigh getting decidedly tthin and grev a-top, I am glad to report 
myself still fit. In fact, if you were to raise a regiment for the 
front, I'd join without a moment's hesitation. I would. 

With kindest personal regards. 

Yours sincerely, 

J. H. Harpster. 
Gen. James A. Beaver, Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, 



HAT grim and grizzled, hut ideal soldier, Gen- 
eral Sherman, is quoted as saying that "War 
is hell." It is said that the old General 
could, on occasion, employ a very lurid and 
even sulphurous vooabulaiy. However that 
may be, if the two words are not synony- 
mous, it is certain, from what we know 
of one and from what we have heard of the 
other, that there are few words in the English 
language that come nearer being so. That is to 
say, if war is not hell, it must be next door to it. When the grip is 
on, the din of strife, the yells of defiance, the crash of exploding fire- 
arms, the charge and countercharge, the smoke-begrimed features of 
the combatants, as with frenzied cries of rage they thrust and hack 
and hew — surely this, as far as we know, resembles nothing so much 
as hell. 




288 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Fortunately for the man mowing on the front line, he does not 
see mneh of the red swath of death which he piles up behind him. 
Modem warfare has enough humanity about it to sweep it from his 
sight as quickly as possible. Organizations are attached to the Army 
whose special duty it is to remove the wreckage as fast as it accumu- 
"lates. It is better for the fighter that he does not know just what 
carnage has been made. The fact is, he arrives at his idea of the 
measure of the ruin that has been wrought mainly by the absence of 
his comrades at the next roll call. 

The organization whose duty it is to get the wounded and the 
dying back from the fighting line to a place of safety and under the 
surgeon's care, is known as the ambulance corps. Ambulances, m 
military phraseology, are hospital establishments moving with 
armies in the field, and organized for providing earh' surgical 
assistance to the wounded. The corps consists of a certain staff of 
officers and subordinates and a certain equipment. The ambulance 
system which now prevails in all civilized armies, is not much more 
than a hundred years old. Before that time, any systematic pro- 
vision for the removal of the wounded, or for giving the requisite 
surgical attention while the battle was in progress, formed no part 
of the things which military leaders felt themselves bound to provide 
for. The wounded were either carried to the rear by comrades or 
left to lie exposed to the chances of being trampled by cavalry, or run 
over by artillery, or to die by loss of blood — t^ make the best of it 
until the battle was over. The means of surgical assistance did not 
reach the battlefield, ordinarily, until the day after, or, perhaps, a 
number of days after the engagement, and by that time, a large pro- 
portion of the wounded did not need any surgical assistance; they 
had in the meantime, been assisted by gi'ave diggers. 

'While our War was in progress, an important step was taken 
toward the amelioration of tlie condition of the wounded of armies 
in the field. This was the convention signed at Geneva, by the terms 
of which, subject to certain regulations, not only the wounded them- 
selves, but the official staff of ambulances and their equipment were 
rendered neutral; the former, therefore, not being liable to be re- 
tained as prisoners of war, nor the latter to be taken as prize of war. 



I 




REV. JOHN H. HARPSTER. D. D. 
General Superintendent India Missions. Lutheran Church 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 289 

It is true, the convention was of too recent occurrence to affect the 
service cUiring- the Civil War ; for when an ambulance officer or 
man was captured, as occurred, he went South all the same; but 
since then, the terms of the Geneva convention have been universally 
recognized, and it has greatly favored the development of the ambu- 
lance service. 

In the Civil War in America the ambulance system attained a 
conipleteness of organization never before reached by an army m 
the world. This was particularly the case after the convention re- 
ferred to, when an Act was passed by Congress, entitled ''An Act bo es- 
tablish a uniform system of ambulances in the United States." This 
law fixed a definite and single system of ambulalnce arrangements 
for all the armies of the United States at that time in the field. And 
this brings me to my ''story." 

As one of the less important results of Pickett's terrific charge, 
I was left behind at Gettysburg. I got my legs again, and rejoined 
the Eegiment in front of Culpeper, but far from fit. Perhaps a 
month after my return to the Regiment, I was greatly surprised one 
day to get an order detailing me for detached duty as ambulance 
officer of the Second Brigade. Upon reporting to division head- 
quarters, I was given a horse, an orderly, and told to make myself 
acquainted with the business. I found I was to be associated with 
three very congenial young officers, all of whom, afterward, rose to 
unusual distinction in civil life. Gapt. Charles Mitchell, the com- 
mander of the division corps, w'ho became a prominent political 
leader in the state of Delaware; Lieut. James S. Griggs, the noted 
Tammany sachem, and Lieut. John R. Paxton, afterwards the bril- 
liant Presbyterian theologian and pulpit orator of Washington and 
New York. They were men of fine fibre and put together with an 
extraordinarily fine quality of rivets — the tbree of them. 

The division ambulance corps, whidh we were to manage and 
make as effective as possible, consisted of a force of perhaps four 
hundred men, a body of non-corumissioned officers, and, may be, a 
hundred and fifty ambulances. Our duties were not prolix, but 
they were mighty pointed, and well hammered into us by Capt. 
John Pelton, Chief of Ambulances of the Second Army Corps. The 



290 THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 

instruction run something like this: We were to keep in the rear 
of the Armj, but, as he significantly pointed out, not too far in the 
rear ! The stretcher bearers were to be allowed to take shelter, pro- 
vided they did not have to hunt too far from the line for it; other- 
wise they were to take what came, just as the men on the front line 
had to; for they were in error, he said, if they thought their office 
was to carry with it any special immunity from danger. The green 
band around their caps would secure them against being laid hold of 
for other duty, and, possibly, get them some consideration if they 
were to fall into the enemy's hands ; but the green band and the 
white feather, they must understand, must by no means be construed 
as meaning tlie same thing. The wounded were to be removed be- 
yond the line of fire as quickly and as carefully as possible, put into 
the ambulances and removed to the field hospital. There were to be 
two men to each stretcher and a non-commissioned officer to gi'oupa 
of twenty. The drivers, during battle, were to be careful not to get 
their horses shot, but not too careful. They were to keep the two 
water kegs in their ambulances constantly replenished, and were to 
be ready to move the instant a wounded man was delivered to their 
charge. They were to drivu^ carefully, taking every precaution 
against causing the wounded unnecessary suffering, and, having de- 
livered their charge at the field hospital, were to return to the front 
as rapidly as possible. The officers were expected to utilize the ser- 
vices of muscians and all other non-combatants not otherwise offi- 
cially attached, which included Chaplains. Forty years have come 
and gone, and, presumably, few Chaplains of the Civil War survive, 
but absolute candor compels me to say that, as a rule, we did not 
get much help from them. 

There was one Chaplain, however, whom, after all this lapse 
of years, and dead and gone, as he most likely is, simple fairness 
compels me to except. If my memory is not at fault, he was the 
Chaplain of the 26th Michigan. That Chaplain had the stuff in 
him of which heroes are made. I have seen hira, a non-combatant, 
mark you, amid tlie smoke of battle, " 'mid deathshot falling thick 
and fast, as lightning from the mountain cloud," right in the line 
Avith its file closers, ready to catch and assist t<> the rear the first nmn 



i 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 291 

struck, or, going in and out of the line of fire loaded down like an 
army mule with the boys' canteens strung about his neck, carrying 
water to them. It was a sight to see that remarkable non-combatant 
m battle. I ran across him twenty years later upon the battlefield 
of Gettysburg, and I told him what I had seen him do; but the ab- 
surd man did not seem to know that he had done anything out of the 
ordinary. I do not suppose he did. Whether he knew it or not, I 
know that if he had been in the British army, say, he would ha\'e 
had the Victoria Cross — awarded only for the most conspicuous and 
shining act of heroism — hanging from the left breast of his clerical 
coat, to tell to all men who should pass him on the street what a con- 
summately brave man he was. 

But, as a rule, I say, when the fight was on, the Chaplains 
were not much in evidence — not where the hail was falling. Un- 
organized, as they were, and without any distinct regulations, it was 
perhaps, unreasonable to expect that they would be. I only mention 
the matter here because I have not quite gotten over a sense of wrong 
whicb I think the Chaplains did me in reporting me to headquarters 
for insisting at the battle of Cold Harbor, rather rudely, I fear, that 
they should take hold and help. As I was justified by my superiors, 
I should, perhaps, have allowed the incident to pass from memory 
long ago. 

Since the Civil War, now upward of forty years ago, the ar- 
rangements for the care of the wounded have been greatly improved. 
Such organizations as the White Cross, the Red Cross, various vol- 
unteer organizations and national societies have done better service, 
because more systematically organized, but the work done by the am- 
bulance organization of the Second Army Corps, and, I think, par- 
ticularly that of the First Division of that iron corps, in tliat war. 
deserves to be writ large. I do not know that it has ever been done. 

There is reason to believe that the men who had to stand on the 
fighting line and take the pounding looked upon a position in the 
ambulance corps as a rather soft and secure place in the army or- 
ganization. They were in error ; it was neither the one nor the other. 
No doubt, as in every other department of the Army, there were 
shirks and shysters in the ambulance corps; but I know of no job 



292 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

that a man could work harder at, and had to work harder at, to get 
properly done. I remember conducting a train load of wounded 
from Cold Harbor, to the base of transportation at Belle Plain, when 
T was in the saddle eighteen hours of twenty. The man on the line 
after his bra.ve fight has been made, may ordinarily lie down and go 
to s-leep. The ambulance force must keep at it until the last wound- 
ed man is cared for if it takes all day and all night. Moreover, 
whilst an ambulance officer need not be a General in point of rank, 
he needs to have a good many of the qualities of a General. He 
needs to be a strategist. One of the first and foremost rules he is to 
observe, and one of the most difficult, is to keep his ambulances and 
stretcher bearers up with tlie troops, and yet keep out of their way 
so as not to interfere with their movements. I was once cursed by a 
profane Major (jiencral for the most consummate idiot in the Army 
for getting my train in the way of tlie movement of a brigade. No 
doubt I was idiot enough, in all conscience^ at the same time he him- 
self could not have done better in the frightful nish and rout of that 
unfortunate day. The ambulance officer needs to be strenuous, con- 
stantly on the alert. If the troops advance, he is to b© ready at any 
moment to accompany them. When the battle begins, he is to keep 
his ambulances as near the line of battle as possible, and yet not 
near enough to get them knocked to pieces by the enemy's cannon , 
and who with an intelligence anything short of omniscient can tell 
where that place is going to be ? If he keeps them too far away, he 
is stupid, or white-livered, which is worse. If he keeps them too 
close, so as to get holes bored through them, he is an ass and ought 
to wear a hide. He is to keep his coi'ps of bearers in the immediate 
rear of the troops, moving with them, and, therefore, under fire. A 
single ambulance officer must frequently cover a line of battle a mile 
or more in length, and is expected to keep hustling himself around on 
every ten feet of the line at once. He is to keep his orderlies, am- 
bulance drivers, stretcher bearers and subordinates generally at their 
highest efficiency. If the front of battle changes, he must change the 
whole arrangement of his force, and that instantly ; and, as I have 
said, without getting his "bone-carts" in tlie way of the movements 
of the troops. If the troops fall back, he is to get out of the scrape 



THE i48rH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 293 

the best he can, but if he commits a blunder, he stands a good 
dhance of having his case committed to a court martial. 

I submit therefore, that the ambulance officer has not as 
easy a plaice as those not familiar with his duties may be led to 
imagine. 

As to comparative immunity from danger, tliat, as in the case 
of any other man who is expected to risk his life for duty, depends 
entirely upon the fibre of the man. No doubt, there are oppor- 
tunities to play the poltroon which do not obtain in the case of 
th.e man on the front line; but from my experience on the front 
line and on the ambulance line, I cannot say that I discovered the 
disposition in the one case more than in the other. Of the three 
officers whose names I have given, every one of them was under 
fire in every battle in ^Vhich the First Division wais engaged from 
the Wilderness to Appomattox. One of the first officers wounded 
in the battle of th© Wilderness was an ambulance officer. It was 
said, that when it was reported at corps headquarters that an 
ambulance officer had been wounded, the commanding general 
laughed boisterously and expressed a curiosity to see so interesting 
ii specimen of the genus ! This may be true, and it may not be. 
At least, I have always had my doubts whether the report of my 
little exploit e\'er reached ears so exalted; but the fact that the 
report got currency at all, bore testimony to a more or less general 
sentiment that an ambulance officer who could not keep himself 
from getting shot was a. rather rare bird. 

Still further on this point: Th© soldier on the fig'hting line is 
concerned only with the battle immediately in front of him, but the 
ambulance officer is concerned with a whole mile of fighting. In 
this whole mile of battle, wherever the crash of Vhe< guns is the 
heaviest, and the hiss of flying projectiles is the sharpest, and the 
thunder of their explosion is the loudest, to that place he is to 
rus'h with his corps of helpers, for there the harvest of death 
is at the highest. As is well kno^vn, the elevation of artillery firing 
is, proverbially, too high rather than too low. The projectile, 
therefore, that goes hissing harmlessly over the line of battle is 
frequently just at the right elevation to catcih the ambulance train, 



294 ■ THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

stationed, as it ought to be, from eight liundred to nine hundred 
yards behind the troops engaged. It is hard work to keep a battery 
from limbering up and getting away when the opposing battery 
gets its exact range and begin to plump shot and shell into them; 
it is a mighty sight harder to hold a lot of non-combatants up to 
the regulation distance when the enemies fire is knocking their 
ambulances about their ears. 

There i? another test of tlie mettle of a man to which only 
am.bulance, together witli staff officers, are put. I mean the neces- 
sity of passing again and again in and out of the line of fire. The 
man on the fighting line makes his grand rush, or his historic 
charge amid the shouts and cheers of charging comrades, with 
heart beating high and wrought to the highest pitch of jubilant 
enthusiasm. I helped to make several myself. It was the most 
exalted moment of my life. But to go in and out of that withering 
line of death in cold blood again and again in the same battle, with 
no comrade's blood contagion to carry you forward, with nothing 
but the stem, inexorable voice of duty at your ear crying, ''do it 
or stand forever after a dishonored man and a coward before die 
tribunal of your own manhood ;" and to do this not with comrades, 
but without comrades, to grip the black death, not in hot blood, 
but in cold blood, this is not so easy, as anyone who has had to 
do it knows. Hundreds of Pickett's men would not cross that 
line of concentrated artillery fire at Gettysburg, but turned back and 
surrendered. 

There is another test of the stuff a man is made of to which the 
ambulance men are put, and to which no other men in tlie Army are. 
I have said that the man on the fighting line sees comparatively lit- 
tle of the horror and havoc of war; for it is as rapidly as )>()ssible 
removed out of his sight. It is well for his fighting qualities that it 
is. Very few men can look on however slight a surgical operation 
without growing pale about the gills. Bearing this in mind, it will 
be conceded that t^ take a train load of mangled and mutilated men 
back to the field hospital and, having delivered your charge, stand 
a while watching the surgeons cutting and sawing at human bodies, 
and see the liolcs dug at the foot of the amputating tiables gradually 



THE hSTH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 295 

filling up with dissevered arms and legs, and then, with the horror 
of it all before your eyes, and in cold blood, approach again that 
fatal line of fire, ride through it and out of it again, and this, per- 
haps, a half dozen times in one day — this, I say, will be con- 
ceded to be a pretty stiff test of the amount of iron that is in the 
blood of a man. 

So that it is hardly correct to say that the ambulancei officer 
does not come in for his full share of the things that test a man's 
mettle, whether it ring true or false. 

Then, there is another thing that tests thei ambulance officer 
as a leader and organizer. The force given him to work witli comes 
under the designation of motley. The men, whilst not inferior to 
the general run in physical courage, in most cases, belonged to 
the "awkward squad" in their companies ; likely could not tell 
hay-foot from straw-foot, and like Falstaff's recruits, "walked wide 
'twixt the legs." The corps was a heterogeneous conglomeration of 
Irish, Germian, Yankee, Pennsylvania Dutch, and the Lord knows 
what not. Far be it from me to cast any reflection upon their 
mettle; I only say that, as a rule, the bulk of the subordinate 
ambulance force was composed of men who, for some reason or 
other, tould not well be worked into the harmonious and effective mass 
o:' the company. Moreover, coming together from, perhaps a dozen 
different regiments, there was not, and in the mature of the case, 
could not be, that esprit de corps, the animating spirit of a body of 
men, which geneirally characterized the company and regiment and 
made a hero of many a man Avho was not naturally a hero. We 
had to train them to work together, and certainly, to a large extent, 
succeeded ; but it was, at best, a rather precarious hold we had upon 
them. There was little attachment to us as officers, for they had 
their own officers. There was little personal attachment to eacli 
other; they quarreled and swoi'e a.t each other and were generally 
walking about with a chip upon their shoulder. 

There were very few shirks, however. There were many shin- 
ing examples of indifference to danger and devotion to duty on 
the part of these non-combatants. Shoffner, of my own company, 
was shot through the neck doing ^all that a man could. Phillips, 



296 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

of tlie 140lli Pennsylvania, was shot dead whilsi: carrying a wonnded 
man on his back at the attack on Petersburg. Evans, a Sergeant, 
lost an arm at Mine Rnn. Page, another man of my company, who 
■was detailed for this service mainly because he would not, or could 
not, keep O'ff the lieels of the man in the rank in front of him, was 
a really brave man. They tell how, at Chancellorsville, when the 
148th went down "into the jaws of death, into the gates of hell," 
Page with his stretcher, did deeds as brave as any of them. He 
would not fall back until the troops fell back, and then sullenly, 
carrying a wounded man. 

They ca.rried no weapons, these men. They were not there to 
kill, but to save; and that, often, when every savage instinct of the 
hum>an 'heart prompted them to tbrow down the stretcher and rush 
in and kill rather than save. There were men who, when the fight 
was on, and the scent of blood in the air, had to be 'held to duty 
like a dog in leash. Riding along the line one day whilst heavy 
firing was going on in front, I came across a group lifting a wounded 
man into tlie ambulance. Among them was a soldier who had 
helped to carry the man back, and the ambulance driver, an Irish- 
man, was begging him like a baby to drive his ambulance and let 
him take his gun and go into the fight. It was the same feeling 
that led Anthony Knopf, of G Company, lafter he had carried the 
medical field knapsack all the way from Falmouth to Gettysburg, 
when tbe battle began, swap his instruments, and dressings, and 
medicines, and restoratives, and stimulants to a comrade for his 
gun, and rush with his company at the side of Little Round Top. 
It is the old not yet outgrown savagery in the hearts of us all 
which, when the tackle comes, makes it so much easier to fig'ht 
than to stand and take it. 

Nothing irapressed me more tihan the gentleness and humanity of 
these ambulance men with the wounded. I do not think that a 
single case of cruelty or even unkindness ever reached our ears. 
The mother instinct was strong in these men. Their horny hands 
v/ere as tender as a mother's. How kind they were to the poor 
woim.ded fellows ! How careful not to cause unnecessary pain ! 
How quick their feet to run on their blessed errands of mercy! 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 297 

I<ough as a chestnut burr — some of them; crabbed as a bear with a 
sore head ; swearing "like the army in Flanders," but in their care 
of the wounded, as gentle as a mother hovering over the bed of her 
sick child. There were many cases of desperate risks taken to 
recover the wounded. 

At the battle of Ohancellorsville, a sorely wounded Confederate 
appealed to one of our st.retoher bearers to carry him from the 
field. He replied that our own wounded had not all been removed. 
The Johnny cursed him for a leather-headed Yankee; he cursed 
him, in return, for a foul-mouthed and evil-smelling rebel; but in 
tJie night he went out and found him and brought him to the hospital. 
At Po River I saw a stretcher bearer leap upon a soldier who was 
helping him carr)^ a wounded man to the rear and smite him in the 
face, because when a shell hissed overhead, he had dropped his end 
of the stretcher and the wounded man had rolled groaning to the 
ground. How shockingly they swore at each other when one of 
their number, however unintentionally, was a little rough, or how- 
ever unavoidab]y, gave a sufferer pain. In the rear of the little 
house to the left ".f our line at Spotsylvania, I saw that savage 
old bear, Sergennt Joyce, kneeling by the side of a man, to whom 
no more earthly help could be given, praying. I am not sure that 
Joyce iiim-elf believed in prayer; from what I knew of him, I 
donbt it ; but as the dying man had asked him to pray for him, and 
as he could do nothing more, he was not the man to go back on 
him. Joyce was an insubordinate, sullen, old sore-head, but he evi- 
dently believed that an ambulance officer's duties took a very wide 
range. I bore mudi from him for that sight I got of him on his 
knees. One could fill pages with illustrations of the kindliness 
and often touching humanity of these men. 

A ludicrous scene, in which I was personally the principal actor 
ccmes to my mind as I write. It should, perhaps, have cost me 
my place. After forty years I can never recall that extraordinary 
scene witliout holding my sides. In the winter of 1863 I was de- 
tached from the main corps, together with a force of men and 
ambulances, and ordered to aecom,pany General Brooke's Brigade 
to the vicinity of Ely's Ford, where we went into winter quarters. 



298 THE SrORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Now, an order had come down from corps headquarters to the 
effect that the ambulance corps, horses and wagons, as well as the 
men, should be drilled something after the manner of the troops. 
I have often wondered what hopeless idiot first suggested that idea; 
but that is neither here nor there. Well, when an order is given 
what is a subordinate to do but to carry it out — or try to ? So one 
fine day toward spring, the earth still held in the grip of frost, and 
the hoofs of half a hundred horses rattling over the frozen ground, 
1 uK^ved out my force to drill ambulances as troops are drilled. A 
field near by, containing perhaps twemty acres, seemed to offer an 
excellent arena for tbe purpose. I say, seemed to offer, for, as sub- 
sequent events proved, it was noit so well adapted to the purpose as 
at first sight appeared, as we shall see. After explaining the evolu- 
tion to the men, and a good deal of animated conversation with 
the ambulance drivers, who were mostly Irishmen, and who knew 
enough about horses that, if told to give them corn in the ear, would 
have done their best to force it into their auditor)^ apparatus, I 
drew up the gallant corps in single line to the front, preparatory 
to the brilliant manoeuvre I had in mind. So far the thing looked 
well; but as the Old Guard which ''foamed itself away" at Water- 
loo, had not taken into the account that fatal sunken road, so I had 
not planned for those confounded frozen com rows. It is true, 
ii I had conformed my movement parallel with the rows, it would 
not have been so bad, but, woe the day ! I struck them at right 
angles. 

The horses made restive by the nipping cold, and excited 
by the bad driving of the Irishmen, who, as I have already inti- 
mated, could not drive a donkey hitched to a wheelbarrow without 
disgracing themselves, were already alm<>?t beyond control. At the 
Avord gn, wo went; we certainly did. No man could evei' afterward 
stand up in front of us and say we did not go. Why, Jehu, the son 
of !Xini-^]ii, wonld linvo l)eon left lu'liind onting dust, oi- more accu- 
rately speaking, frozen clods. The *'(']i;ii-gc of the Light Brigade" 
at Balaklava, so far as peril to life and limb was concerned, could 
not have been very much worse. I am sure the Ike of the charge 
of that ambulance corps was never seen before — or since. After 



THE 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 299 

all these years, I see that devoted ambulance train careering across 
those frozen, transverse com rows as vividly as if it had happened 
yesterday ; the curtains of the vehicles, shaken from their fastenings, 
Tpaving in the wind, as we rushed forward, like an army with 
banners ; the drivers, not only not able to guide their horses, but 
mightily put to it to stay in the ambulance at all ; one moment 
shooting toward the top as if fired from a mortar, the next hurled 
back upon the seat, or sprawling at the bottom of the ambulance, 
only to be fired and returned as before; the stretcher bearers 
dodging hither and thither to escape the flying ambulances, fleeing 
as a man for his life; the water kegs breaking loose from their 
fastenings and flying through the air, making the already frantic 
horses more frantic still. The indescribable up and down mo\-ement 
of those ambulances as they struck sixty of those frozen com rows 
to the minute, and over all tbe awful din and tumult, a hinidi'e<:l 
despairing voices calling upon me, by as many different impreca- 
tions as there were men, to stop it. Stop it. ^ I should only have 
been too g]ad to stop it. 1 would have given almost anything if 
I had never started it. But, things can't go on forever, an anib\i- 
lance more than anything else. Just as we got the stampede rounded 
up, and the men came crawling, some of them out of the ambulances 
and some from under them, looking as if they had gone through a 
western cyclone and a house had fallen on them, a voice behind 
me demanded, ''Harpster, what in heaven's name are you doing?" 
It was Captain Pelton, the chief of the ambulances. ''Doing?" 
said I, in the midst of broken sobs, "I am carrying out orders; I 
am drilling this ambulance corps." We sat on our horses, looked 
y.t each other, and laug'hing till the tears actually ran down our 
cheeks. ''Well," said Pelton finally, '"this beats the devil." 1 
acknowledged that, in my judgment, it did ; for I did not, and do 
not now believe, that the personage he mentioned could get up 
an exhibition qnite up to that. Pelton could not look at me for 
the next six months without laughing. 

I have always felt that my service in the ambulance corps 
was as useful as any I rendered in the War. It gave many oppor- 
tunities for doing that kind of work Avhich never leaves a bad 



300 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

tPvSte in the moiitli — the memory of which is never fraught with 
regret. Perhaps my "story" will not be thought too long if I give 
a personal reminiscenc-e or two. 

During the campaign of the Wilderness, that long, flanking 
movement to the left, with its pitching and breaking of camp al- 
most eveiy day for months, we had taken down the hospital and 
were about to follow the troops. As my custom was, I took a final 
look over the ground to see that nothing had been abandoned through 
neglect.. At the foot of a tree, where he had evidently been carried 
by com.rad©s, near where the hospital had stood, I found a youth, 
lying prone upon his back, and gazing with unblinking eyes into 
the sky. I spoke to him; asked him what he was l^'ing there for 
when the whole Army was moving. I got no reply. I said, ''Get 
up and go on ; what is the matter with you anyhow ?" Not a word 
in reply gave he, nor relaxed that vacant stare into space. I stooped 
down and examined him; not a thing could I find the matter with 
him. "This is very extraordinary," I said. Mounting my horse, 
T rode after the hospital train which had now moved off, and find- 
ing Doctor Vandeveeir, brought him back. He discovered that a piece 
of shell had crushed the posterior part of the skull in upon the 
brain, doing little more than to render him unconscious. The good 
doctor soon had the necessary operation performed ; we put him in 
an ambulance and sent him to the rear. About six months afterward 
he came to my tent, a Lieutenant's straps upon his shoulders, as 
handsome and well groomed a young fellow as you could well see, 
to thank me, as he put it, "for having cheated the buzzards out 
of him." 

In one of the attacks on Petersburg, a boy belonging to a Miary- 
land regiment — a mere child, he was — was horribly wounded ; both 
of his legs and his left arm being shattered by the bursting of a 
shell. The stretcher bearers had laid him down at the foot of a tree 
and were making off. I examined him and found his heart still Ideat- 
ing. I called after the bearers : 

"Come back here ; what do you mean by leaving this boy here ?" 

"He is dead," they called back. 

"He is not dead," I said. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 301 

*'Siire, he is dead," 

"He is not dead, I say, his heart is still beating; take him up 
and carry him to the hospital." 

I saw him afterwards in the hospital, under the influence of 
opiates, with both legs and arm amputated. Fifteen years after- 
ward I saw a man sitting in a hand-cart behind a news stand in 
OaJvert Sti-eet Stiaition, Baltimore, with his legs and an arm gone, 
and a Grand Army badge on his breast. I went over to his stand 
and boiiglit a paiper. 

"I thiiik you got thai," I said — for I did not think there could 
have been anotlier case like it. in the War ; at least, no other recovery 
— "I think you got that damage at Petersburg." 

"Right you are; tliei-e's where they did it." 

I told him what I knew about it. He had heard what an ambu- 
lance officer h^ad done, anid made me lose my train by insisting that his 
wagon be t.nmdledi right home, and tliat I do him a comrade's kind- 
ness by allowing him to show to his wife 'and three handsome boys the 
officer of whom he had heard, and of whom he had often told them, 
but had never seen. 

It is all over. The smoke of the battle has died away. The 
bivouac fires have burned low and expired. Sectional animosity 
has been merged into a better brotherhood than the country ever 
knew before. The good God has wrought, blessing out of a great 
evil. The actors in the scene have gTown old :and gray. Good 
boys, tender hearts, gallant comrades, I send a comrade's greeting 
from my f ar-oif home in India. If my little story can help, in any 
degree, to keep in men's memories the brave things you did, I shall 
be glad. 



THE TRANSFERRED OFFICER'S STORY. 



PART I. 

Sergeant Major J. E. Hall as Adjutant iSsd Ptnnsylvariia Vols. 
The Anny of the Potomac began a siege of Petersburg, Vir- 
ginia, about the middle of June, 1864. During a temporary ces- 
sation of active operations on the last day of that month, the 148th 
Pennsylvania was insj^ected and mustered for pay by Col. James 
G. Lynch, of the 183d Pennsylvania. Colonel Lynch had quite 
recently received his promotion from a captaincy in the 72d Penn- 
sylvania, whose veterans had been transferred to the 183d Penn- 
sylvania. He had been doing duty as Assistant Inspector General 
on the staff of the Second Division of our Second Corps until the 
promotion came which placed him at the head of a regiment. After 
his inspeotion of the 148th Pennsylvania in line, and an examina- 
tion of the records and workings of the Adjutant's and Quarter- 
master's depairtraents. Colonel Lynch was free to express his un- 
qualified admiration of the general efficiency of the Regiment as 
exhibited to him in ithe neatness and soldierly bearing of its officers 
and men, the condition and care of arms and equipage, and the 
business methods as well as accuracy of records of staft" departments. 
He was particularly interested in tlie records and details of the Adju- 
tant's office which he spent some time in examining. In this de- 
partment Colonel Beaver had an able superintendent in the pei'son 
of J. W. Muffly, who first .as Sergeant Mia j or and later as Adjutant 
had l>een able to apply his knowledge of bookkeeping and his ability 
to grasp and manage all the details of the office so as to make an 
excellent showing. Since the death of Adjutant Lipton and the 
V. ell merited promotion of Sergeant Major Muffiy in April, 1863, 
the writer had been serving as Sergeant Major, and for over a 
year had been under the tutorage of Adjutant Muffly. It would 
be reasonable to expect that an apprenticeship of that length of 
time "would familiarize the ne^v Sergeant Major with '^^ workings 
of the office, and to the credit of the new Adjutant it may be re- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 303 

marked that he took pains to instruct, and time to see that his 
instrnctions were properly carried out. Colonel Lynch in his in- 
vestigation of the records of the Adjiit-ant's. office had a speoi^al 
purpose in view. In addition to submitting his report of the regi- 
mental inspection, he made known to the Colonel commanding, as 
well as to hiis friend Ca|3itia;in Marlin, Acting [nspectnr General of 
First Division, that the 183d Pennsylvania had no Adjutant and he 
was trying to find some competent person to fill the place. This 
fact the writer learned later, upon the receipt of a note asking him 
to call at Colonel Lynoh's headquarters. In response to the sum- 
mons I was ushered into his presence next day where, after being 
looked over and questioned somewhait, I was informed that I 
had been recommended for the adjutancy of his regiment. With 
a suspicion that I looked young and that my appointment was a 
doubtful experiment I was excused. Wlnatever misgivings Coloiiel 
Ljmcli may have felt, however, were more than compensated for by 
the orderly arrangement of the records of the 148th Pennsylvania &.■» 
he saw them, and my appointment was requested by him and made, 
and on September 7th with my new commission I was properly 
mustered into the new office. An opportunity to buy a. horse having 
presented itself the purchase was made, and next day, September 
8th, I ro'de over and reported for duty 'at the headquarters of the 
183d Pennsylvania. It did not take long to discover that Colonel 
Lynch's belief that he had no officer competent to act as Adjutant, 
■\\^s not shared by the officers tlheiuselves, and when thei new, 
beardless, and verdant looking officer was introduced by the Colonel 
to the Acting Adjutant .asi his successor, the new official was greeted 
by scant courtesy, and a prompt retirement of the Lieutenant in 
charge, leaving the new Adjutant to his reflections and the exercise 
of his wits. 

It soon became known at ainny headquarters that an Adjutant 
had been appointed for 183d Pennsylvania, and requests for reports, 
and for information from the origin of the regiment to the present 
date began to pour in upon the new official. In the absence of 
written records these demands from superior officers required to 
be made up from oral statements in great measure from the different 



304 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

officers of the regiment. The willingness of the officei^s to tell 
what each knew, made it possible before a great while to write a 
record of the origin of the regiment and a fairly satisfaotorv' history 
of its campaigns. Company histories and rosters were in time 
brought into shape so as to give data for what might be i-eqiiired. 
The regiment had been officered at its organization in Philadel- 
phia by men who seemed indisposed for an active military career, and 
the resignation of their Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, Major and 
Adjutant upon the opening of the campaign of 1864 was unfor- 
tunate for its efficiency. Colonel Lynch entered upon the command 
of the regiment with a determination to make it such a working 
organization as to bring it in line with the best for practical sen'ice. 
His appointment of an Adjutant outside his regiment was in pur- 
suance of this purpose, and his selection of an officer from what he 
considered an ideal regiment was a compliment to his sagacity, for 
it would be supposed that one trained in field duties by the com- 
mandant of such an organization, and in office work by the skilled 
Adjutant, would be able to give satisfaction. It is therefore out 
of tribute to these worthy officers that the statement follows that 
before a very long association with the officers and men of the 
183d Pennsylvania they were willing to concede that the new Ad- 
jutant understood his business. This concession proved an im- 
portant factor in establishing cordial relationship which continued 
during the subsequent history of the regiment. Colonel Lynch soon 
took advantage of a general order allowing commissioned officers 
of over three years service to be mustered out of service upon their 
request and we parted witli regi*et. His successor. Col. George T. 
Egbert; has brother, Lient. Col. Aug. T. Lynch, and the new 
Colonel's brother, Major H. P. Egbert, proved an agreeable trio of 
field officers, who each endeavored to keep up the standard of regi- 
mental efficiency which Col. James Lynch had worked to establish. 
These officers 9ur\"ived itihe vicissitudes of the War, and were all 
mustered out with the regiment inj Philadelphia at its close. "While 
in the city at this time the officers of the entire regiimenlt were 
invited to a reception at the club rooms of the splendid Union 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIA VOLUNTEERS 305 

League building on Broad Street. Here our field service was com- 
mended, and our valor and devotion to duty most eulogistically 
mentioned. It is safe to affirm that the product of the 148th Penn- 
sylvania felt no small share of gratification as with his brother 
officers he listened to these expressions of appreciation, and felt he 
had tried to do his duty. 



306 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



THE TRANSFERRED OFFICER'S STORY. 



PART 11. 

By Lieut. George M. Boat. 

Sergeant Greorge M. Bo>al, Company D, being detailed on 
general recruiting service and stationed in Camp Curtin, Harris- 
burg, was placed in charge of the quartermaster stores of the camp. 
While there he became acquainted with Col. C. P. Rogers, who 
was on special recruiting service for the 83d Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, a regiment which was raised in the northeastern part of the 
state, which had been reduced to a battalion through losses, occa- 
sioned by the expiration of term of enlistment of the original three 
years men who had not enlisted as * Veterans." The Colonel ^vhile 
having his recruits furnished with clothing, etc., in Camp Curtin, 
made up his mind that Boal would make a good Regimental Quar- 
termaster, and that office being vacant in his regiment, he recom- 
mended and requested Governor Curtin to appoint and comuiission 
him as First Lieutenant and Quartermaster of the 83d Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, which was don© March 10, 1865. Boal at 
onoe reported to his regiment for duty, which was in camp near City 
Point, Virginia. Arriving there late in the evening and not being 
acquainted with any member of that regiment except Colonel 
Rogers, amongst the first persons to meet him was his friend. 
Dr. J. Penrose Burchfield, whom he had not seen for several 
years when they were both boys at Pine Grove Mills. The 
Doctor took the new Quartermaster to his quarters and from that 
time on until .th.e regiment was minsfcered out of sendee tliey both 
quartered in the same tent. The next morning he was met by 
another Centre County boy, Lieut. Lewis Mason, whom he did not 
know as a member of that regiment. After "meeting and being intro- 
duced to the other officers of the organization he was taken to divi- 
sion headquarters and mustered. The following day Boal reported 
to the commanding officer of the 148th, Col. James F. Weaver, 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 307 

showed him his miisteT-in papers, whetn he was properly entei'^d in 
the records of the Regiment as "discharged to receive prom^otion." 

In the meantime, as he looked around for a good horse, he was 
recommended to Mnssea- & Fortney, dealers in good horses. He finally 
struck a bargain with the senior member of the firm and rode away 
fully equipped for light marching orders. This horse did not prove 
very satisfactory and after many attempts he finally made an ex- 
change with an Ambulance Sergeant and secured a very excellent 
horse, which he brought home with him at the close of the War, 
riding him from Harrisburg to his home near Center Hall and kept 
him for twenty-two years, when he died of old age, supposed to be 
about thirty years. Boal was accompanied from Harrisburg to his 
home by Lieut Col. W. O. Coth, of the 83d Eegiment, who rode 
his horse to his home in Waterford, Erie County, Pennsylvania. 



THE STORY OF THE DRUM CORPS. 



PART I. 

By R. A. Cassidy, Principal Musician. 

The field music or drum corps of the 148th Regimenit Penn- 
sylvania Volimteers was originally composed of the regulation quota 
of two musicians — a fifer and a tenor drummer — from each of its 
ten companies, a base drunxmer — Billy Ishler of Company G — and 
the writer as Chief Musician or Drum Major. Two musicians were 
enlisted ais such in each company but in some oases they were not 
fitted for the duties of the position for which they were enlisted ; 
in others they preferred to serve in the ranks with the musket 
and, in some oases, a deficiency in one company was made up by an 
extra detail from other comipanies. Eacli company, however, carried 
two musicians upon its rolls, who although mustered as such, may 
not always have served in that capacity. No opportunity was 
offered for the regular organization of the drum corps, and con- 
certed drill and discipline therein until after the arrival of the 
Regiment at Cockeysville, Maryland. The incidents attending our 
transportation from Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, to Camp Beaver, 
Cockeysville, are sufficiently portrayed in those papers which treat 
of the general regimental organization and movements. 

Our indescribable lack of knowledge of military tactics at that 
time can hardly be better depicted than by a brief description of 
the first guard mount at Camp Beaver. Next morning, after going 
into camp. Sergeant Major Muffly passed up and down the company 
streets proclaiming "guard mount" and ordering the required de^ 
tails from the several companies to assemble at a designated point 
en the east side of cam]i. We don't recall who it was that sura- 
nioncd me to assemble the dnini cor])s, l)ut it was done and the 
scene disclosed to Colonel Beaver, when he came on tJie ground to 
witness the first formal evolution of his Regiment, in the language 
of the Apostle, literally "beggiH'^ doscri])tion." There was an entire 
absence of uniformity in the attire and equipment of the men de- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 509 

tailed for duty. Several of the fellows who "knew something about 
war" exercised the precaution to bring their arms with them. 
Others, not apprehending any danger from resident "secesh" or 
prowling "rebels," did not. Some were in their shirt sleeves ; others, 
as happened to be easiest, were attired in blouses, dress coats or 
overcoats, etc. We remember Colonel Beaver administered his first 
rebuke to the Drum Major for appearing on that "auspicious occa- 
sion" in his shirt sleeves, without equipment of any kind, and topped 
out with a brilliantly yariegaited sleeping cap for a liead-gear. He 
was in such a state of exasperated military disgust that his early 
piety and soldierly restraint, we thought then and still think, alone 
prevented a sulphurous explosion such as we frequently heard later 
in our armjy experience from officers of all grades under much less 
provoking conditions. It is scarcely necessary to remark that "guard 
mount" the following morning was "turned off" with an exactness 
of attire and equipment and precision of ceremony that would have 
challenged the criticism of much older commands, and there wus 
seldom occasion thereafter, on that score', for special trial of faith 
of the religiously disposed, whether of rank or file. 

As nearly as we can recall, the formal composition of the field 
music was Company A, fifer, Philip Woodling; drummer, Simon 
IIa;rper. B, fifer, Nathaniel Beerly ; dnmuner, Etmory Hutton ; 
C, fifer, William P. Harpster; drummer, Samuel D. Otto. D, 
fifer, Abram Mattern; drummer, John B. Holloway. E, fifer, 
Johnson Hamilton ; drummer, David N. Henry, F, fifer, Lawrence 
B. Bathurst (from C Company) ; drummer, Thos, IVLinnich. G, 
fifer, Matthias Rider; drummer, Daniel Schreffler. H, fifer, Wil- 
liam Yeager; drummer, R, A. Cassidy. I, fifer, Thaddeus Rum- 
berger (also of C Company) ; drummer, Joseph Arthurs, K, fifer, 
Abram Courson (long division) ; drummer, John A, Lee. As this 
roster is made up from memorj^, with uncertain aid from other 
members of the corps with whom we have been able to confer, and 
without recourse to official records, (not available) it may not Ibe 
entirely correct as to personnel, company attachment and assign- 
ment. 



310 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

The lirst deatli, and the only one that occurred during our 
connection wit'h the corps, was that of Johnny Lee, drummer of 
Company K, in winter quarters at Falmouth, and he, as we recollect, 
was succeeded by Preston MaGee of the same company. There were 
other details to the Corps, after our location at Falmouth, notably 
that of Charley Held (of A Company) representing H, tenor 
drummer, a most valuable acquisition, but we are unable to recall 
now distinctly from what companies they came or what they rep- 
resented. 

The writer was appointed Chief Musician at the organization 
of the Regiment. By reason, however, of an order of the War 
Department, issued about the time of the formation of the Regi- 
ment, mustering out all regimental bands, but which was subse- 
quently modified so as to exclude regimental chief musicians from 
iis operations, we were not mustered as such until after our return 
from Chancellorsville. 

The field music shared largely in the benefits of Colonel 
Reaver's assiduous attention to the most minute details of discipline 
and organization of his command. Soon after our arrival at 
Cockeysville he determined that we should have a complete equip- 
ment of fifes and drums, instead of the ordinary contract issue of 
the Government, and authorized tlie writer to arrange for the outfit 
with a Baltimore manufactory. Thus in due season we were 
equipped with a splendid complement of drums (including a basso 
profundo) and fifes, on the former of which were emblazoned the 
United States coat of arms, with appropriate regimental designation. 

The dispersion of the Regiment, by assigment of detachme-nts 
to difi'erent points for guard duty on the line of the ISTorthern Cen- 
tral Railroad, greatly hindered contemplated plans for instruction 
and drill that were indispensable to the proper harmonizing of the 
varied musical "dialects" of individual members, but sufficient 
progress had been made by the time of re-assembling at Cockeys 
ville preparatory to our departure to the front that, when the 148th 
Pennsylvania Volunteers marched through the streets of Baltimore 
on that well remembered winter day in 1862, enroute to Wash- 
ington, the res(^unding echoes of the martial harmonies of its ten 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 311 

fifes, ten snare drums and Billy Ishler's big bass drum drew to tbe 
line of our march much more popular attention and applause than 
was usually accorded passiing troops, which had become tO' the citi- 
zens a monotonous experience. 

As soon as practicable after the Regiment became settled in 
winter quarters near Falmouth, the field music, in common with all 
of its now (then) consolidated elements, began to show the effects 
of united and harmonious drill and discipline and we need not 
remind the survivors of that winter's (1862-1863) schooling in all 
the duties of real soldiering how rapidly the 148th advanced in the 
estimate of the more experienced troops with whom we were asso- 
ciated in the general formation of the Army. The field music at- 
tracted such attention from the officers in general command that 
about two weeks after our assigTiment to the Brigade the following 
order was promulgated : 

Headquaktees First Brigade, Hancock's Division, 

JSTear Falmouth, Virginia, January 7th, 1863. 

Special Orders No. 1. 

Drum Major R. A. Cassidy, l-18th Pennsylvania Volunteers, 

is hereby ordered to take command of the musicians of the several 

regiments in this Brigade for the purpose of drill and instruction. 

The various drum corps will report to him accordingly. 

By order of Col. Gt. Van Scitaaok, 

Colonel Commanding. 
George W. Scott, A. A. A. G. 

In obedience to this order, our field music thereafter — at least 
as long as we were 'actively identified mith it, took precedence on all 
occasions of general parade and ceremony in the brigade and divi- 
sion formations — General Hancock having subsequently designated 
our Chief Musician to take charge of the consolidated field music 
of the Division when the troops paraded for drill or review, etc. 

The limits to which this paper must of necessity be confined 
forbid that amplification w^hich a due estimate of the field music's 
value in the regimental organization might seem to justify, but 
this ihuch at least ought to be allowable in recognition of the worth 
of tlie boys of which it was composed. Of its about twenty-five 
Imerabers — ^^vhich number includes details made at Falmouth as 



512 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

bnglers — we cannot recall a single case of insubordination or the 
infliction of punishment for violation of the regulations or proprie- 
ties of the service. Uniformly, every man was prompt in the per- 
formance of ordinary duty, gentle and considerate in intercourse 
with associates and unfaltering in the discharge of customary re- 
quirements on the field and in hospital. Personally, we cannot 
recall a single instance of unfriendliness between ourselves and any 
member of the field music during our connection with it, while 
among the most cherished of life's memories are those springing 
from our association w^ith the boys ^vilio furnished the -martial har- 
monies to which the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers kept step in its 
high mission of aiding in the preservation of the Union. 

One of tlie deepest regrets of my life, which has intensified 
as the years have increased since that event, was my enforced re- 
tirement from active service and consequent separation from the 
Regiment after Gettysburg. 

It is proper perhaps that the circumstances under which this 
occurred should be briefly explained : Billy Mayes, acting hospital 
steward, and myself were directed by Surgeon Davis to remain 
when the Army left and care for the wounded of the Regiment, 
wjjom we had collected from the field and other field hospitals, 
at the First Division Hosipital on die east bank of Rock Creek, a 
short distance south of the town of Gettysburg. Our instructions were 
10 make the men as comfortable as wholly inadequate shelter and 
food supplies would permit. An "Autenreith," in charge of Billy 
Berry, brigade hospital isiteward detailed from Company G of our 
Regiment, afforded us excellent advantages in the matter of hospital 
supplies. By collecting abandoned shelter tents wherever obtain- 
able and appropriating uncut wheat from an adjacent field for bed- 
ding, we were enabled to protect and render our wounded more 
comfortable than those of any other command in the Division. 

In respect to the treatment of the wounds, they were not less 
fortunate, so that mortality among our wounded was much lighter 
than among those of other commands less fortunately provided 
for. As soon as rail communication was re-established, necessary 
tentage was brought in and a thorough hospital system established 



THE 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 313 

near the town. Our wounded, in common with tliose of both Armies, 
were, as speedily as possible, concentrated in these hospitals and 
as soon as we were free to do so Berry, with his "Autenreith," 
myself and others from other commands, who had been similarly 
detained, started to join our several regiments at the front, then on 
the Potomac, our Corps being reported in the neighborhood of 
Berlin. On reaching the river we were forbidden to cross, the 
Army having proceeded so far south that the officer in command of 
the district deemed it unsafe to expose so small a detachment to 
tljfc risk of capture by the enemy's cavalry, which was raiding ac- 
tively in the rear of our Army. We were, consequently, sent to 
the front by way of Washington, rail transportation being provided 
for our entire outfit. 

In making the march from Washington to Alexandria the heat 
from sun and sand was so intense that I was prostrated by some- 
tiLing akin to sunstroke and, wihen the detachment started for the 
front, the officer in charge refused to allow me to proceed, escorting 
me instead to a hospital in the town, from which, after a short de^ 
tention, I was sent to rendezvous distribution near by and there held 
until pronounced by an examining board unfit for further field 
service and transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps and assigned 
to tbe 19th Regiment, in which I served until discharged at Elmira, 
New York, July 20, 1865. 

It is vain now to waste words in expressing regrets over what 
might have been, but I can't refrain from saying how deeply I must 
always deplore the seemingly trivial circumstance — a slight delay 
iu our march from Gettysburg to the river — which prevented me 
fiom overtaking and thereby permanently separated me from com- 
rades fondly cherished, turned the course of duty into an entirely 
unlooked for channel and dissipated the anticipation of completing 
my military duties with those associated with whom I conld best work 
and with whom I could most happily agree. 

I leave to my associate. Chief Musician Billy Harpster, the 
task of completing this altogether im/perfect sketch of the organiza- 
tion and services of the field music, after Gettysburg, of that model 
of military efficiency and patriotic consecration — the 148th Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers. 



314 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



THE DRUM CORPS. 



PART II. 

By William P. Harpster, Principal Musician. 

At ithe time of my proonotion to Principal Miisician of the 148th 
Regiment, August 1, 1863, the Regiment was in camp with the 
rest of the Brigade and Division, near Bealton Station, Virginia. 
The weather was exceedingly dry and warm, and we remained 
during tlie entire month quietly in camp improving ourselves in 
all the training for the duties required of us. Our dnim corps at 
this time consisted of the following members: William P. Harp- 
ster, Principal Musician; Charles H. Held, drununer, C\inipan_A 
A ; Nathaniel Beerly, fifer, and Emory Hutton, drummer, Com- 
pany B ; Lawrence B. Bathurst, fifer, Thaddeus L. Rumbarger, 
fifer, Samuel D. Otto, drummer. Company C ; Johnston Hamilton, 
fifer, and David N. Henry, drummer, Company E; Thomas J. 
Minnich, drummer, Company F; Matthias Rider, fifer, Daniel H. 
Shreffier, drummer, and Thomas J. Lee, bugler. Company^ G; 
Joseph A. Arthurs, drummer. Company I ; Abram C. Courson, 
fifer, and Preston M. Magee, drummer. Company K ; and John G. 
Robinson, bass drummer Company C. During the next winter 
there were added to the corps, T. H. Law, Company E, and Jacob 
Fox, Company K, as buglers; Samuel Mottarn, Company F, fifer, 
and «Tohn B. Zeigler, Company A, drummer. 

During our stay at this camp we took a new impetus in musie 
which gave us the reputation for proficiency second to no martial 
music in the Army. Colonel Beaver secured for us enough new 
drums and fifes bo replaiCe some thiat had l>eoome uniservioeable, and 
we adopted regular hours for practice and soon began to show 
an unmistakable improvement. We were indebted greatly to a 
private from an adjoining regiment (whose name I am sorry to say 
I have forgotten) who was an expert dnimnier in fancy beats, and 
in w*hieh he -vexy kindly instruoted our drummers, so that in a 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 315 

short time we liad quite a repertoire of fancy tunes such as ''Faded 
Flowers," "Gentle Annie," "Wrecker's Daughter," "Village Quick- 
step," and others, with which we: were accustomed to entertain our 
toys after tattoo, and which attracted to our camp visitors from 
surrounding camps by the score. Colonel Beaver always took great 
pride in his drum corps and if, like the rank and file of his Regi- 
ment, they did not measure up to the standard, it was no fault of 
his, for he kept a critical eye upon us, and was as ready to com- 
mend discipline and proficiency as to rebuke for the want of them. 

Our camp duties were imperative, and strictly under the sup- 
ervision of the Adjutant and controlled directly by the Principal 
Musician, who was held responsible for their accuracy. They con- 
sisted of reveille at daybreak, first by the drummer's call by the 
bugler, followed after the musicians all assembled on the color line 
in front of the Colonel's headquarters, by the reveille call by the 
bugler, and immediately by the entire drum corps. This call 
consists of variations of about ten or twelve selections including all 
the different kinds of time used in the service, and requiring about 
ten minutes for the rendering and during which time the companies 
assembled in line in their company streets ; when the music ceased, 
the rolls were called by the Orderly Sergeant and the companies 
dismissed. The calls for meals were executed by one fifer and 
one drummer at the hours specified by the commander of the camp. 

At 8 :00 A. M. tihe sick call was sounded by one fifer and drum- 
mer or a bugler and at nine o'clock the call sounded by the bugler for 
giuird mount, when the entire drum corps turned out, and played 
during inspection of arms. Then they "beat off ti-oop" and played 
while the guards marched away. The musicians then had two 
hours for practice and drill and in the afternoon accompanied the 
battalion (or regiment) on drill. At six o'clock dress parade took 
place, which is all the term indicates, as every one not on dHailed 
duty is required to be present in the best possible condition as to 
dress and equipments. At sunset retreat was played, when the flag 
was taken dowm for the day. At 9:00 p. m. tattoo was beaten, 
when the same formula was enacted as at reveille, except the diffei^ 
ent selections constituting it are distinct from the earlier call. 



316 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

At half-past nine the bugler blew the call "lights out," which con- 
cluded the schedule far the day. 

In the remainder of the campaign of 1863 during the manoeuv- 
ring of the Army, the discipline of the drum corps was lax ; being 
in the rear of the lines and left frequently to their own resources, 
their duties consisted principally in drawing rations and eating 
them. 

When the spring campaign opened in 1864, a reformation took 
place in our field music. It was General Hooker, I believe^, w^ho 
offered a reward for a dead cavalryman, and he might have also 
included a dead musician without being made any poorer. It was 
Major General Barlow who first introduced a system to utilize 
the wasted energy of the "sheep-skin batiteriee" as they were often 
called, by consolidating all the musicians of the Division (the First 
Division of the Second Corps) which he commanded, into one body 
and placing a mounted Lieutenant in command with a Sergeant 
detailed from some company, in charge of the musicians of each 
of the four brigades, and as there were on an average four regiment? 
in each Brigade making sixteen regiments in the Division, or six- 
teen drum coirp® of about ten hoys in each, there were about one 
hundred and sixty musicians in the Division. The outranking of 
the Sergeants by the Principal Musicians was not considered in the 
matter. All musicians Avho had lost or thrown away their instru- 
ments as some frequently did during a sumnuer's campaign, were 
sent to their companies and placed in the ranks as privates. The 
others were marched in a body in the rear of the Division and 
immediately on the opening of an engagement were put to work 
erecting hospital tents under the direction of the Surgeons. Details 
were made and sent to the front to bring the wounded to the hospital 
for treatment. Many were detailed as nurses, and others kept con- 
tinually at hand for any emergency that might occur. Much fric- 
tion occurred between some of the boys and the Sergeants in charge, 
owing partly to the disinclination to be restrained^ and partly to 
the assumption of authority by the Sergeants ; however, severe pun- 
ishments were rare, only one of which I c«an now recall. Five of the 
boys were caught by the provost guard while on a foraging expedi- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 317 

tion. They had captured a Confederate calf and appropriated it 
to their own use, being short of rations. Taken to division head- 
quarters they were "bucked and gagged" and all the musicians of the 
Division assembled to witness the penalty imposed by General Bar- 
low. Six strokes on the shoulders with an ox gad as they sat, in 
their crtimped und helpless position, were given each, and c^s the 
last stroke lell the tall form of the Greneral crowded through the 
outer circle and inquired: 

*'Who .ulmiriistered those blows?" 

The executioner saluted and replied, "I did. General." 

"Well, Sergeant," retorted the General, "you may report to 
your company ; I will not have a Sergeant in my provost guard who 
does not obey orders. Those blows were not nearly so heavy, nor 
the stick so large as I ordered." 

iortunately, none of the boys of the 148th were among the 
victims ; not because they were innocent of foraging, but that 
they were too sharp to be caught in the act, wherein lay the chief 
cause of disgrace, as foraging was common. The mode of punish- 
ment was humiliating to a United States soldier and should have 
been beneath the dignity of a General in our Army. 

The writer was at one time placed under arrest for neglecting 
to report two members of his company for taking "French leave," 
until after they had gone home, but he was released after a few 
hours nominal detention and an admonition from v.he Colonel, which 
preserved the manhood of the offender and made a true and lasting 
friend of the Colonel. The worst case of insubordination of which 
we plead guilty occurred under our former Drum Major, Bob Cas- 
sidy, while in camp in the early spring of 1863 near Falmouth. A 
very muddy wagon road ran directly through the center of our 
camp, and one dark and disagreeable night, the Drum Major wanted 
tattoo beaten on the north side of the road, while I wanted to stay 
on the south side, my quarters being on that side. I had two con- 
federates, one, the leading drummer, and as I was leading fifer, we 
claimed the majority out of about twenty members. The result 
was what might be expected of two divisions of a band of music 
thirty feet apart trying to play so complicated a production as 



318 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

tattoo at one and the same time. Before we were half throug5i the 
stentorian voice of the Colonel was heard, "If you don't stop that 
infernal racket I'll put you all in tiie guaird 'house." We slunk away 
in tlie dark, but not far enough to prevent our hearing the Drum 
Major's report to the Colonel, nor the sending by the Adjutant 
for the Corporal of tlie guard, nor tlie orders to the Corporal tO' take 
a file of men and arrest Harpster and Otto, of Company C, and 
Mattom, lof Company D, and put tlieni in the guard house. It is 
needless to say, Harpster and Otto could not be found, but Mattern, 
not being so well posted, languished in the guard house until iJie 
next day. The other two turned up for duty the next morning and 
were so meek and obedient that they must have been pardoned 
throug'h pity, as the Corporal did not trouble them further. 

VVbile musicians often escaped deserved punishment, they were 
frequently used to punish others. I do not think any one in our 
Army was truly despised unless he proved himself a coward. '^vVhen 
a pitiable object of that kind was found, the brigade to which 
he belonged was formed in hollow square and he was placed inside 
with half his head shaved, a placard on his breast labeled "Coward" 
wliile th(^ musicians of the brigade followed Ix'hind a file of giiards 
with bayonets fixed close to the culprit, to the tune of the "Ro^ie's 
March." After making a complete march around the square, his 
uniform was taken from him and he was turned out to make his 
own way out of the Army. 

The rank of musician in the Army Avas too often considered 
trivial and somewhat degrading; so much so, that, some were loath 
to accept it, if allowed their o\vn choice. My own tendencies were 
in that direction to such an extent that when I was later offered the 
rank of Orderly Sergeant by Oaptiain Edmonds, of Company C, I 
accepted, feeling I could be of more service, and in the line of pro- 
motion. But the Colonel objected to the transfer for reasons best 
known to himself. I always had the warmest admiration for the 
man who carried the gun, believing him to be a part of the real 
engine of war, though his duties were harder than that of an officer, 
and his privileges moi-e restricted. And yet, the vacancy in the 
ranks of musicians was not always easily filled, as was noted in 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 319 

some of tlie older reginientis, which had less than a hialf doizen, and no 
musical talent in their ranks to draw from. The 148th was for- 
tnnate in leaving in its ranks sntlicient available material to replace 
its losses, and as onr C^olonel considered a good drum corps an 
indispensable factor in a well disciplined regiment our corps was 
kept comparatively well filled. In April, 1864, I Avas requested by 
the Colonel to recommend a drummer for promotion to Principal 
Musician, two being required for a full corps. My choice was S. 
D. Otto, of Company C. If finest aceomplishmont had been the re- 
quirement, he might not have been the choice, as our oorpsi con- 
tained several very fine dinimimers, but OtItOi was up-tcndaite in all 
that was needed to keep up the standard, and the promotion being 
miade, was never regTCftted by me. The boys of our drum corps 
possessed peculiarities as varied and extensive probably, as any other 
corps in the Army. Their ages varied from that of Shreffler the 
oldest (about thirty) down to sixteen, that of Hutton, who claimed 
to be tliQ youngest memiber in the Reg'iment. 

While all wei"e perfeotly amenaible to discipline', the miajority 
were rollicking', mischievous and tricky when off duty, and m;any 
were the pranks played on each other which at home would scarcely 
have been accepted as sport. I here quote from a letter received 
from Enioiw Hutton above mentio-ued, just previous to my be- 
ginning this writing. Hutton says: 

"I have received numerous letters in my time, some of them 
very good ones at that, but none that equaled yours in ix)int of 
genuine interest. Your brief but exceedingly interesting account 
of the members of the old dnmi corps revived tender memories 
of 'camp and field' that h'ad laid donnant for a, qua,rter of a century. 
T could almost imagine myself again under the pines of 'Old Vir- 
ginia, answering 'to roll call' when I read the old familiar names 
of Arthur, Bierly, Courson (the practical joker). Fox (the prize 
victim of said joker), Henry Mottam, Mattem, Minnich (the 
dead game sport), and Rider (who when not engaged in eating 
was thinking most seriously about it), and those of our dear, 
departed comrades who have answered the 'last call,' Held, Shref- 
fler, Holloway, Lee and Bathurst. Peace to their ashes. In reading 
over your list I failed to see' any mention of la very prominent 
member of our corps, bass ("base") drummer, Oscar Runk, (I, 



320 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

A. B. P. A.) you know what these initials stand for; also of Hamil- 
ton, Yeager and Ishler. What of them ? And I think there is yet 
another — Philip Woodley from 'Cori^ler John A. Miller's come 
and fetch your pork' company. You will probably recall him as 
tlie man who when he saw a bandman wearing some sort of a red 
jacket, remarked, 'such coats we all ought to have.' " 

Ilutton might have continued indefinitely in describing the 
P'cculiarities of the boys, for instance, Rumbarger, who was always 
getting up some special dish from our limited bill of fare; little 
Danny Shreffler, who canned the biggest knapsack and stepped twice 
to our once ; Arthurs, who carried next to nothing and never worried 
about anything. Hamilton and Otto who were always the cleanest 
and tidiest members of our oorps, though they did O'ccasionally 
aesiooiate with ''graybax" as well as the rest of us. Little Johnny 
Zedgler, the prize laugher, as every meanber of the Regiment can 
attest. Charley Held, the quiet, inoffensive one, whom everyone 
would scorn to molest. Bathurst, the conscientious Christian man, 
who was the only member who never "straggled" but once, and who 
usually messed with the Chaplain. 

Hutton, himself, who was encyclopedia for the settling of all 
disputes as to important events, commanders of corps, brigades, 
regiments and all matters pertaining to history, and his invariable 
antipathy to Sergeant Wilson, he of the Division consolidation, who 
was instrumental in having Hutton "specially detailed" to dig a 
useless ditch in the hot sun; and last but not least, our dear old 
comrade, Abe Coursou, the butt of all fun, six feet tiall, left handed, 
his cap always over the left eye, his blouse sleeves four inches too 
short, and his pants about three inches from his jSTo. 11 shoe, 
his big Roman nose, scarcely ever witliout a scab from the effect of 
some scuffle, never in an ill humor, but always ready and willing 
for sport or duty, and a splendid fifer withal. He frequently was 
detailed as bass drummer and then he got in his best licks — for when 
he wheeled down the lino on dress ])arade there was correct time 
in every stroke of that long left arm, even if he did advance some- 
what obliquely. All these peculiarities of the members of that, 
to us, never to be forgotten organization, stand out distinctlv in 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 321 

our memories as bright spots, bedimming the hardships of almost 
three years of army life. And now, to those of us who are yot 
living and are scattered, never again to assemble at the old familiar 
"drummer's call," nothing remains but the kindest and most tender 
feeling toward our dear old comrades, and the dearest wish of our 
hearts is, that when afte^ we I'.ave all been "mustered out" one by 
one from this life of enlistment, we may assemble at the 
last great roll call on the "eternal camping ground" pre- 
pared for the faithful. We have much to regret in re- 
viewing our army life — tljat we were not more faithful to our 
obligations, that we were not kinder to each other, that we 
did not labor harder to relieve our dear wounded comrades who 
were often in our charge, and that we were not better soldiers in 
e^ery way. 

Our story is almost ended. When the enemy's lines 
were broken at Petersburg, we took up the march to follow his 
retreat southward which terminated at Appomattox, and where we 
shared in the rejoicing, and prospect of going home. In a few days 
we returned to Burkesville Junction, where our hearts were sad- 
dened by news of the death of Lincoln. 

On the second day of May, 1865, we broke camp and started 
on the march northward. On the 6th we passed through Richmond, 
and on the 10th Fredericksburg, and went regularly into camp in 
sight of Washington on the 15th. 

Our last act in the war dra,ma occurred on the 23d, being 
the great review of the Army of the Potomac in Washington. On 
the 3d of June our Regimenit started homeward, an^d on the next 
morning (Sunday) we marched down Market Street, Harrisburg, 
to the time of "Village Quickstep," to the admiration of the citizens. 
We landed in Camp Curtin the same day. The last act of our drum 
corps as an organization, was the participation by request of the 
citizens of Harrisburg, in the dedication of a Triumphal Arch in 
Market Square, on the evening of the 5th. On the 7th we received 
our discharges, bade each other farewell, and started in different 
directions for our homes, and the drum corps of the 148th Penn- 
sylvania ceased to exist. 



522 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



THE DRUM CORPS. 



PART III. 

By Nathaniel Beerly, Company B. 

Our drum c^rps Avas inspired bj the same spirit that was dis- 
played and diffused through onr Regiment hy our gallant Colonel, 
and his example was always an incentive to higher attainment. We 
did excel and received many compliments — even from General Han- 
cock at Frederieksbiirg', Virginia, on grand review. He said he was 
glad to see siidi a, full drum corps and oomplimented us on our ap- 
pearance. On another occasion, while on the battlefield of Chancel- 
lorsville, Virginia (he very well knew what we were intended for), 
seeing the unfavorable impression that the ghastly remains of hu- 
manity had on the troops, and being close to the enemy, he ordered 
every band and drum corps to play "Rally Round the Flag," and, in 
a moment, had the enemy made their apoearance, they would have 
met with a warm reception. We can console ourselves that we did 
our duty in the same spirit the man did, not behind tJie guns, but with 
the gims, and have no apology to make because we were musicians. 
We did whatever we were commanded to do, and tbere must be an 
Orpheus to cheer and inspire, from the cradle to the grave. We came 
in this world and one of the first things wo hear is the cradle song of 
our mothers, and all along our pathway, we are amused and finally 
ushered out with some solemn dirge. Our re]Tertoire was somewhat 
limited and not very artistic. Tt connnciuMMl with tlie "reveille'' and 
ended with "retreat" and "tattoo,'" and consisted ]>vineipally of 
marches and quick-steps — "The Girl I T.eft Behind Me," "Larry 
O'Gaff," by Woodly; "Old Dan Tnokor," by "Danny" Shreffler ; 
"The Rogue's ;Nrarch," and, last but not least, "Hell on Oil Creek," 
by Abraham Corson, the left handed joker or fifer (^f Conijiany K. 
Another incident T well rcnKMiibcr, wliile guarding the railroad at 
Cockeysville, Maryland, when on regimental drill, the Colonel sta- 
tioned us in a grove adjacent to a field, simply requesting the bass 
drummer to beat time. The day was very stormy and, the Colonel not 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 323 

making allowance for its defective acoustics on account of the state 
of the atmosphere, threatened destruction to the drum and poor Ishler 
and we were actually afraid he would carry out his threat with his 
vicious looking sword. 

Our duty, in time of engagement, was to assist the surgeons in 
dressing wounds and at times to help the ambulance corps to carry 
off the wounded. 

THE FIRST ENGAGEMENT. 

The first engagement, ^^^herein we were pairtici pants, occurred on 
the 2d, 3d and 4th days of May, 1863, and is known as the 
battle of Chancellorsville. I cannot help expressing my disapproval 
of the management of the same, with the inglorious and disastrous 
results following. Arriving there on the 2d, our drum corps en- 
camped at the fence enclosing the chancellor's house, and in the 
evening we were saluted with a rebel battery the first time. Fortu- 
naitely the shells did not explode, but were thrown at some headquar- 
ter teams close by. The next 'day the battle opened in earnest and Ave 
were ordered to go with the surgeons and help to establish a field hos- 
pital about a quarter of a mile to the rear in the woods, and while 
there assisting the surgeons, I delivered an official order enclosed in 
an envelope placed under my belt to the Colonel or Adjutant of our 
Regiment. I found them temporarily entrenched to the left and in 
the woods about two or three hundred yards from the chancellor's 
house. I returned an order of some kind to the surgeon. Later in 
the day we were ordered to carry fresh beef to the Regiment at the 
same place. The next thing, according to the best of my recollec- 
tion, was a battery opening a terrific fusilade on the hospital, wound- 
ing and killing some that had been wounded, which necessitated our 
. removal to the bank of the Rappahannock. At that time 1 did not 
think Stonewall Jackson capable of being such a miserable disturber 
of the peace and dionity of the surroundings. 0"n the road leading 
to the river we got mixed up with the inglorious "skedaddle" of the 
Eleventh Corps. Infantry, artillery, cavalry, panic-stricken cattle, 
accompanied with the shrieks of the woundeid and groans of the dying, 
Vx'ith a hail storm of shells from Jackson's victorious guns, moving at 



324 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

a rapid rate and in hot haste and also serenaded by the rebel yell, 
with officers cursing and everything in a chaotic state, was an ex^jeri- 
ence I will never forget and this was the resnlt of the strateo-ic and 
fertile brain of our commander of the Army. What did I think ? 
Why, I thought the god of battle had deserted us and the swallows 
homew^ard flew. While on the river bank, we were compelled to 
cross on the other side, and I assisted Michael Lebkecher, who was so 
weak from the loss of blood caused by the wound in his arm that he^ 
could not walk without assistance. Said wound necessitated ampu- 
tation of his hand. On this celebrated "skedaddle," leading from the 
chancellor's house to the river, on the disused road covered with 
aaitumn leaves, I saw more blood than lat any tiime during the War. 
William Ishler had Samuel Orris in his care and I am satisfied that 
Orris owes his life to Ishler, as he could not have survived the ugly 
wound without the best possible care given. 

The following day we were shelled again by a battery in the rear 
of our line of battle, but our cavalry soon captured it and brought it 
across the river. After that, I recollect our Army recrossing the 
river and on the bank of the same, on the left hand side of the 
road, Emory Hutton and I buried a Rhode Island batteryman, who 
was wounded through his intestines, by simply laying him on the 
sod and covering his face with the cape of his great coat and shoveling 
sand over him. We were at this when our Regiment recrossed the 
pontoon bridge. This ends my recollection of this miserably man- 
aged engagement. I sincerely regret the useless effusion of blood of 
our gallant comrades, including our Colonel, and all the sacrifice due 
to the incompetency of our commander of the Army. 

An amusing incident happened at the Grand Review of the Army 
of the Potomac, at Stevensburg, Virginia, by President Lincoln. As 
is the custom, the musicians of the entire Division form at the head 
of the cohnnn, falling out and facing the reviewing officer, while the 
entire Division passes. In the manoeuvre to face the President, an 
eccentric Frenchman, belonging to the division headquarter band, 
playing a slide trombone, took advantage of the muddle and ran his 
bow through the head of a drum to the chagrin and amusement of us, 
but of course quiet and good order prevailed, and I still remember 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 325 

President Lincoln's troubled and haggard look, as the time of the 
review was about the darkest of the Rebellion. 

AT GETTYSBURG. 

I remember at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, our Regiment was com- 
manded by Colonel McKeen, of the 81st Pennsylvania. On the 2d day 
of July, 1863, at 4:00 p. m., the battle opened, and Colonel McKeen 
told us to go to a certain rock that afforded some shelter, to assist 
Do'dtor Hamilton in di-essing the wounds of those who were wounded 
on the field. While there the ambulance corps came along with 
some twenty stretchers, one morf; than they had men for, so Lawrence 
Barthurst called on me tO' go along, and we followed oiir Division into 
the wheat field close to Little Round Top, and on the right of me 
about fiYQ or six feet, an orderly Sergeant was shot through the thigh. 
We took him about one mile to the field hospital, returned and helped 
others until the sun set on that terrible day. The next day our time 
was employed at the amputating table and in getting hay or straw 
to lay the wounded on, and a squad of men were detailed to procure 
the same and the Doctor told me to estimate the cost or damage and 
report the amount and the owner's name, but the farmer refused to 
let us have any, so we forcibly opened the barn and took the same and 
I reported the amount taken, with the owner's name to the Doctor. 
On another occasion, while assisting the ambulance co^rps carrying 
off the wounded, some of the boys were ama^ied, after carrying a sup- 
posed wounded man to the rear, partly out of danger, yet still under 
shell fire, while resting, to see the soldier get off the stretcher and 
run out of danger. Evidently he did not belong to our Regiment. 

Some time prior to General Grant taking command, Major Han- 
cock organized a band recruited at Boston, Massachusetts, for our 
Division with a drum corps annexed. For some cause unknown to 
me, I received an order to join them. Members of this band took 
an interest in me and to them I am indebted for my musical educa- 
tion and training. Had it not been for this training, the contest at 
Hecla Park in 1894, composed of the musicians of several counties 
of Central Pennsylvania, in Avhich I was sucoessful as musical di- 
rector, might have ended differently. 



326 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

THE BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS. 

This fight was initiatory to a series of engagements following 
closely culminating at Cold Harbor, with the gage of battle varying 
yet in onr favor. The last day of the battle of the Wilderness proj^er, 
I was detailed to .assis't the aimbulanoe oorpsL On the road leading 
to the front to the line of battle, I passed General Barlow, our division 
commander, and staff, who were dismounted. In the rear of them, 
about four or five rods, was a rebel field officer, sitting on a stump, a 
prisoner of war, under guard, the impersonation of dignity and re- 
venge. We were ordered between tlie line of battle and skirmisliers 
and remained there all day assisting a few wounded skirmishers to the 
ambulance in the road. On the right of this road the woods were still 
burning, caused by exploding shells the day before. In this woods I 
saw a number of nude bodies lying as they fell in battle and by the 
remains of some of the clothing, I saw they belonged to the Xinth 
Corps. Said corps joined iis on the right. To the left of tihis, about 
three or four hundred yards, I saw our Regiment, but could not see 
it all the time, yet I could locate it all day by the sound of our Col- 
onel's sonorous voice. The entire day was passed in skirmishing, 
picket firing and reconnoitering, witliout a general engagement. My 
observation of joining the Ninth Corps on the right is corroborated 
by General Grant's Memoirs, second volume, page 200. 

AT PETERSBURG;, VIRGINIA. 

General Grant celebrated the fall of Atlanta, Georgia, by the 
musicians of the entire Army playing patriotic airs and the firing 
of one hundred shot and shell from each battery at tJie enemy, who 
were in close proximity. Commencing at midnight, with the enemy's 
artillery responding in like manner, this uproarious racket continued 
until dawn of day and could have been fittingly given to the devil, 
while conspiring with Mephistopheles to increaf^e thv t('ni]H'raturc 
of hiades. jjiout. G^^n. Nelson A. Miles, our division commiander 
heix', had several coinicail coons who wei^ as merry as the bumble 
bee in the honeysuckle, to sing and dance for die amusement of him- 
self and staff at his headquarters. We received an order to play, 
with these coons dancing to the music, for the amusement of lady 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 327 

visitors. This fun was suddenly interrupted by tlie enemy opening 
a battery. This persisitent nieddlesomieness of the enemy, I presume, 
was due to our being considered trespassers on the sacred soil. We 
dii&per&ed by eommooi consent., Miles not saying a word. A\\ I remeili- 
ber of this was the General buckling on his sword and calling the 
orderly to bring his horse. What became of the ladies, I do not know. 
We returned to our quarters. Life in winter quarters was not so dull 
after all. 

Battery officers organized an amateur minstrel troupe, also fur- 
nished large headquarter tents, which were joined together and which 
served as an auditorium for rehearsals and performances, but, before 
we had rehearsed sufficiently for a. performance, we received marching 
orders. On another occasion, we were to play at the headquarters of 
a California regiment. Arriving there in the evening, we found the 
headquarters illuminated by a fire in the chimney, the improvised 
furniture consisting of rude (Chairs and a table in tlie center 
loaided '\viith the choicest fighting spirits the miarket afforded 
and the table groaned under itts weight. — no, it didn't, it reeled 
and staggered under the weig^ht of these intoxicants. The pro- 
gram for the evening consisted of muisic, interspersed with 
comical orations, with the Major getting so hilarious that the Adju- 
tant, with great difficulty, prevented him from forming the regiment 
to charge the enemy, alleging that if Grrant couldn't take Petersburg 
he would with his fighting Cialiforni'ans. The last T remember of this 
Belshazzar feast was the Major lying on the broad of his back on the 
floor fast asleep, and we, like the Arab, folded our traps and quietly 
stole away. 

I lost a brother, who died at Fredericksburg, Virginia, and a 
first cousin, James Bierly, who died in tlie same place, also Wesley 
Bierly, who was killed here. Henry Myer lost a hand, Cousin Solo- 
mon Bierly and Charles were shot in the legs. All were members of 
our Regiment. 

Thunder we always have and is ever present, but I prefer the 
description of sunshine. The memory of the eccentric French trom- 
bonist still haunts me and sticks as close as lightning to a thunder 
cloud. Tn appeairance he resembled one of Shakesipeare's witches 



328 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

dancing around the boiling cauldron. He would get nie to taste his 
innumerable dishes of hash, made of the same ingredients only 
slightly varied in their proportion, and to save my life I could not tell 
the difference in taste, yet he was as happy as the day was long with 
his variety of food. The eccentricities of this individual were re- 
markable. In a storm of shells at Petersburg, tradition says he 
turned his back on the wicked scene, saying a living hero was worth 
more than a dead coward. The last thing I remember of this eccen- 
tric individual was his farewell address to the leader of the band. 
On this occasion he was serious. Whether he fell off the stage, leaped 
off or was kicked off, is mere conjecture, or transformed into a demon 
or an angel, the good Lord only knows. 

The first man I saw who was killed in action was a Captain in 
Sykes' Division of regulars, at Chancellorsville ; the laist one was 
Bugler Joseph H. Law, whose body was almost severed by a cannon 
ball. The blood bespattered brigade marker carried by him at the 
time was brought home in the same car I came in to be presented to 
his bereaved widow. He was a member of our Regiment. 

I close with a salute to the gallant Colonel, including the pru- 
dent Lieutenant Colonel Weaver, the soldierly and jovial Lieutenant 
Colonel Bayard, the dashing, daring Major Fairliamb and la bow to 
the scholarly Adjutant Muffly, a cheer for the living comrades, and a 
tear for the departed. 

Finally, I hope that the reader of this thrilling tragedy will not 
attribute vainglory to the actors and writers hereof, as it was aocomp^ 
lished when Time was young and full of anticipation, and the records 
written late on the ix>aid leading from East to West. 




J. B. HOLLOWAY 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 329 



THE DRUM CORPS. 



PART IV. 

By J. B. Holloway, Drummer of Company D. 

Our Regiment was recruited in the summer of 1862 and organ- 
ized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. We left Camp 
Curtin on the 10th day of September, about one thousand men strong. 
Our destination was Cockeysville, Maryland. 

Perhaps the most noted incident at this place, the Cockeysville 
camp, was the insubordination of Company I. We will not call it 
mutiny as that would be too harsh a term. At th.e present age of the 
world we would say, "Company I went on a strike." They utterly 
refused to do duty for the reason that thq^ were not paid all of the 
state bounty that was their due. Tlie matter was reported to the 
Colonel and he was not slow in coming to the quarters of Company I 
and making -a speech, to the boys. Among other things he said some^ 
thing about ball and chain and Baltimore. This made the boys wilt 
and the strike was over. It bappened, however, tihat soon after this, 
Captain Marlin, of Company I, hiad businees 'am^ay. He likely went 
to Harrisburg. At all events he did not stay long and the I boys soon 
received their dues. Then Jim Cockran, the sport of Company I and 
of the camp, wrotei verses describing the incidents of this affair and 
the boys would sing these verses in oamp day after day. 

We reached the oamp of the Army of the Potomac on the 18th 
of December. From Point Liverpool we crossed the Potomac to 
Aoquia Creek on a steamer in a fearful rain storm, and when we 
landed we got a complete drenching. Here we camped for the night, 
and when the camp guards were to be mounted I refused to go with 
the music for my drum was thoroughly soaked, and I could get no 
music out of it. I suppose I was reported to regimental headquarters 
by Major Cassidy. At all events the Colonel came along the lines 
and said, "Captain Musser, I want you to put your drummer under 
arrest" I thought I saw a smile on the Colonel's face as he turned 
away. But I quickly got my drum and joined the rest of the drum 



530 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

corps, so no guards cam© to arrest me. Tihis was the closest to any 
punishment for me during my three years of service. 

In the Army of the Potomac we were assigned to the First Bri- 
gade, First Division of the Second Corps. A few days after this our 
Regiment was reviewed by Gen. W. S. Hancock who was then our 
division commander. I imagine I can yet see him as he rode along 
the line and eaime up to tdie drum corps and gave us soime instruc- 
tions as to how we should do when some superior officer came along, 
''Play some appropriate music, such as 'Hail to tJie Chief.' " 

The winter of 1862 and 1863 was a very severe one on troops 
in camp. We hiad a great deal of rain, snow and oold weather. The 
first engagement for our Reginienit was Chaincelloirsville. Here we 
suffered more in killed land wounded tihan in any subsequent engage- 
meoit of tlie War.* 

1 will relate only the casualties in this battle of the mess to 
which 1 belonged. There were ten men of us when we left our old 
camp and sitarted on tihis campaign, niamely : David Acher, Williajm 
Knorr, David Wanoe, Jiaeob Dunkle, David Young, Thaddeus Stover, 
Cornelius Stover, Samuel H. Holloway, William P. HoUoway and 
John B. Holloway, the writer. Of these, Samuel H. Holloway and 
William KJnorr were killed, David Aciher land Comielius Stover mor- 
tally wounded, each of tliem having a leg amputated. Stover dying 
the 17tli of May and Acher tlie 3d of June. David Wance, Jiacob 
Dunkle, David Young and Tbaddeus Stover were severely wo'unded 
neither of them, I believe, ever getting back to the Regiment. Wil- 
liam P. Holloway and myself were tlie only two left out of the ten, 
when we recrossed the river and went back to our old quarters. Dan- 
iel C. Holloway, who had also belonged to our mess, was sent to the 
rear on account of sickness. William P. Holloway and Samuel H. 
Holloway were brothers and I was cousin to them. Samuel H. Hol- 
loway was the first man out of the Regiment killed in action, and he 
by one of our own guns. A battery of six guns was stationed in the 
open space in front of the Chancellorsville house, shelling the rebels 
in the woods beyond. In support of this battery our Regiment lay 

*Fox'8 Regimental Losses gives the following figures of losses in the regi- 
ment : Chancellorsville, killed 31, wounded 119, missing 14, total 164 ; Spot- 
sylvania, killed 33, wounded 235, missing 33, total 301.— Editor. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 351 

on the gTOimd in front of it. The shells from one ol these guns ex- 
ploded as soon as they left the gnn, and a piece of one of these shells 
went clear through his body, killing him instantly. The balance of 
Company D suifered nearly as much in killed and wounded, in this 
engagement, as did our mess. 

Five or six weeks after this disiastrous campaign caime the marah 
to Gettysburg and then the great battle of that place. I recall some 
of the scenes and incidents as I saw and experienced them while 
helping to take care of the wounded and assisting the doctors at *the 
operating tables on the field hospitals. As a musician this was 
my work during a battle, and on the most bloody of all the campaigns 
of thei War, tlirough the Wilderness and on to Petersburg, the musi- 
cians of our Division were formed into a squad or command under a 
Sergeant and Lieutenant, for tlie purpose of oaring for the wounded, 
and assisting the surgeons in their work. During most all of this 
campaign I was on detail to assist at one of tbese operating tables. 
Our work here was to put up and take down the hospital tents and 
arrange the tables for operations ; provide a plentiful supply of water, 
clean up the operating instruments, hold the limbs while being ampu- 
tated and bury these amputated limbs. We usually dug a hole a few 
rods away from where the operations were performed, and in these 
holes we put limb after limb until sufficiently full, then covered them 
up and made an additional limb grave. More than one lawn or yard 
in front of a soutliern slave driver's palatial residence did we thus 
convert into a burying place for the limbs of loyal heroes of the 
North. It also frequently fell to our lot to go out on the battle lines, 
during an engagement, with sitretcbers 'and gather up the wounded. 

At the battle of Gettysburg I saw many distressing inci- 
dents. Colonel Cross, of the 5th New Hampshire, who was a 
large, fine looking man, haid command of our Brigade. He 
was fatally wounded in this engagement, in the edge of the 
woods near the wheat field. He was taken to the rear, and 
his sufferings were so great, during the night, that he begged for 
some one to shoot him so he might be relieved from his great suffer- 
ing. Before morning death relieved hian. Perhaps the most dis- 
tressing case of suffering I saw was at this battle, in the case of a 



332 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

man who was skat through the throat from side to side, and his throat 
was swelling shut. He was at the field hospital in the woods by the 
hillside. He would roll and crawl and tumble about on the ground, 
then get up and walk back and forth, beckoning with both of his 
hands to all who were about him. This continued until a surgeon, 
I thinlc Doctor Vishart, went to him, laid him on the ground, run an 
instrument into his throat and wind pipe, and inserted a silver tube. 
Then the man was relieved of his great sufferings, but he died in a 
short time. 

General Hancock was brought to this same hospital in an ambu- 
lance, after being wounded, and I saw the blood from his wound as 
it dripped from the wagon to the ground. In the great battles of the 
Wilderness the losses on both sides were most appalling. And after 
Hancock's charge at Spotsylvania there was a continuous stream of 
wounded to the rear. But for the number of men engaged, Cold 
Harbor was the most bloody of all. Our mode of caring for these 
men who could not care for themselves, was to lay them on the ground 
in rows side by side and row after row, with space enough between 
the rows so we could get through to supply their wants, and the one 
great wamit was water. We usiiially chose some convenient place in 
the woods for this purpose, and the more severely wounded were 
plaxsed in tents so far as tents were available. From these 
field hospitals the wounded were sent in ambulances and army 
wagoffis to the nearest boat landing or railroad pointy and from 
there shipped nortli. I helped load many a big army wagon 
with these wounded. We placed tliem in a sitting posture 
^H-th the back to the side of the wagon box, altemaiting them 
from side to side till the box was full ; then the end gate would be 
put in and away they would go through the mud and over corduroy 
roads. Here in the Wilderness I had charge one night of twenty or 
twenty-five of these severely wounded men in tents. Among tliem 
was one man who was shot centrally through the forehead, the ball 
coming out at the back of his head, and his brains were oozing from 
both bullet holes; and with his hands, in his delirious condition, he 
would wipe the brains from his forehead. The man was quite strong, 
and often tried to get up, and it was all I could do to lay him down 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 333 

and keep him in place. I worked with him. in this way all night and 
until I was relieved. How long this man lived or what became of 
him I never learned. 

In connection with this hospital the surgeons were amputating a 
man's leg near the hip. He lost a great deal of blood, and was in a 
much reduced condition, so much so that the surgeon who was per- 
forming the operation walked away and said, "He is gone." Doctor 
Vishart, who was standing by then turned the man over and with his 
hands and fists punched him in the side, turning him frequently and 
sendng him the same way, then taking a hooked instrument he slashed 
it into the man's tongue and pulled his tongue back and forth as far 
as possible. He brought the patient back to life and the operation 
was finished. 

At this same place was lying on a stretcher the young Grenoble 
of Company I, our Regiment, with his leg shot off. The doctors had 
set him aside for he was too weak: and too much reduced to admit of 
an operation. I talked with him a little while and tlien left him 
thinking he wo'uld never survive his woiind. After the War, while 
sitting at my home one day, in Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania, I saw a 
man drive through town to the hotel. I thought he looked like the 
boy Grenoble. But I could not believe that it was he. I, however, 
went to the hotel and found that he was part of Company I wearing 
an artificial limb. 

I often thought no one could place his finger on any part of the 
human body, but what I could say, "I saw a man wounded there." 
The largest flesh wound I saw was a man at the battle of Totopotomoy 
Creek. This mian wias shot through the buttocks wi'th a shell or some 
large missile, and the fiesh was laid open as if some one had plowed a 
furrow through it. Your two hands would not have covered the 
wound. 

As is usually the case among so many persons as there were even 
in one Regiment we had some miique characters. Among them were 
Lieutenant McGuire, Wash Watson and Bill Henry, all of Company 
I. Watson and Henry were giants of men, they were not boys, for 
they must have been upward of sixty years of age, and toward the 
la:stt of the War were quite gray. They served mostly in the pioneer 



334 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

corps. The last I saw of Henry was at Gettysburg, where he was 
wounded and had his foot or leg amputated above the ankle. Lieu- 
tenant McGuire was an Irishman, a good military man and a good 
drill master. During regimental drill his Irish brogue could be 
heard above all the other officers. Poor fellow gave up his life in 
the Wilderness. 



THE STORY OF THE HEADQUARTER CLERK AND 
SERGEANT MAJOR. 

By Adjutant Charles A. Ramsey. 

On the afternoon of the 28th of August, 1862, in an open space 
nearly in front of the hotel in Center Hall, Pennsylvania, a com- 
pany numbering one hundred and fifteen men held up their right 
hands, and taking the oath, were mustered into the service of the 
United States for the defence of the general Government. 

Some of them were bronzed and bearded men, a few were be- 
ginning to show the grey of advancing years ; but by far the larger 
part were beardless youths, witli fresh faces and bright eyes, from 
the farms or from one or another of the excellent private schools, gen- 
erally styled academies, then common in Central Pennsylvauiia. 
Belonging to the latter contingent was quite a number from the school 
at Pine Grove. The Professor himself, afterward First Lieutenant, 
J. E. Thomas, Capt. Andrew Musser, Comrade Gemmill and myself 
were among those who came from Pine Grove. About one hundred 
of the one hundred and fifteen constituted one company, afterward 
kno-WTi as D Company of the 148th Regiment. The rem^ainder were 
assigned to A Company and were probably recruited for that purpose. 
Just ten days before this, I had accompanied some of my chums who 
had enlisted in Captain McFarlane's G Company across the Seven 
Mountains to Lewistown, and now D Company prepared to make this 
same journey. At Lewistown, we took train, the first experience of 
the kind for many, no doubt, and reached Harrisburg shortly after 
noon. To my inexperienced observation. Camp Curtin was a scene 
of the wildest disorder. It seemed to me nobody was in charge, 
and that neither system nor method anywhere prevailed ; and the 
whole camp created in my mind much the same impression that I 
imagine must exist in the mind of a countryman suddenly brought 
into a scene of great activity in a large city or ushered into one of our 
up-to-date board of trade halls. In the course of a few hours in camp, 
however, I went up against a circumstance or two that caused me to 
materially change my mind in this particular regard. The afternoon 



336 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

of that first day was spent in putting up our "A" tents, dividing up 
into messes, and otherwise learning some of the rudiments of a sol- 
dier's education. 

The night of that first day in camp, as I lay vainly trying to 
sleep, I overheard the following dialogue between the officer of the 
day and the sentinel on duty just back of our line of tents. 

"H-a-l-t," said the sentinel. "You must not cross this bate." 

"But I'm the officer of the day." 

"0-h-oo, you're officer of the day ar-re you ? Well, moind ye 
now, I'm officer of the noight, and ye moost not cross this bate." 

"But I'm the officer of the day, I tell you and have a right to 
cross your beat if I see fit." 

"I don't care a domm if ye ar-re ; I'm officer of the noight, I tell 
ye and if ye cro'ss my bate, I'll break your back wid this cloob." 

And then as the officer of the day giving up the contention, 
walked away, this doughty sentinel declared himself a "Bould Amer- 
ican," and that "he knew his jooty." A year later this whole proceed- 
ing would have seemed entirely ludicrous, but I took it as a matter of 
course, and to this day I do not know who was the most ignorant — 
myself, the guard, or the officer of the day. 

At Camp Curtin so long as we retained our citizen's clotlies, we 
went and came at our own sweet will. We walked out when we 
pleased ; we rushed the guards (who only had clubs) to go bathing in 
the river, and we did duty generally when it was convenient On tlie 
second or third day, I was invited to accompany a couple of civilian 
friends on a visit to Middletown. We were gone three days with 
never a thought on my part of the duty I owed to my company, or 
that I was absent without leave. I was brought up with a sharp turn, 
however, when upon my return Lieutenant Thomas said to me, 
"Young man, you came pretty near being reported as a deserter." 
All this time I do not recollect tliat we had any idea of our future 
regimental status. In a general way we expected or believed that 
the Center County companies would be put into one organization, but 
who else v«^uld be with us, what our number would be, or our destina- 
tion, when we loft camp or who our commander, I at least did not 
know until the evening before we embarked for Cockeysville, Mary- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 337 

land. After a nig-bt's ride of many miles witik brief snatclies of 
sleep taken as best we could, I waked out of one of these to look out 
through the grey fog" of a September morning upon ''Maryland, my 
Maryland." 

It was the first time I had ever been out of my native state, and 
as I looked across the valley, and saw here and there a little cottage 
or homely farm house resting on the hill sides, no other sign of life 
in or about them except perhaps here and there an ascending column 
of smoke, my mind went back to the home I hiad left in itllie Kishooo 
quillas Valley, and a feeling of loneliness and utter homesickness 
came over me, as impossible to shake off, it seemed to me, as it; now 
is to describe it. However, we soon reached Cockeysville, and in the 
bustle of unloading ourselves and our camp equipage from the train, 
and forming and setting up our camps, this feeling wore away. Here 
for the first time, I saw our future commander. Colonel Beaver. 
Young' as I was and little skilled in reading or weighing men he never- 
theless impressed me at once as he must have done every one with his 
apparent youthfulness, his positive and energetic manner, his knowl- 
edge of the business in hand and general executive ability. At this 
time, I also had a first glimpse of our Major Fairlamb, whom I re- 
member as a quiet, pleasant and gentlemanly officer, in whose better 
acquaintaijce I never made further progress. 

About the second day in camp, I was on the detail for picket 
duty and we were sent out northwest of the station to the near vicin- 
ity of an old furnace, when we all stood guai-d all night long, nO' re- 
liefs and for our pains captured an old darkey who declared, "Fore de 
Lawd Massa, Ise jist gwine over hyer tO' Mars Lewis to see Marfa 
Washington, sah." 

Only a few nights after this, it once more became my duty to go 
on picket. This time we were seat south along the road toward 
Texas, and our line was established at right angles to the road extend- 
ing to the timber on the east. About 10:00 p. m., it beo;an to rain, 
pour perhaps better expresses just how the rain came down that night. 
It seemed as if the very windows of heaven were open, and the water 
pouring out all night. We stood around because the ground was cov- 
ered with water and the next morning, we returned to camp, tired. 



338 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

soaked, steaming, bedraggled, our clothes and blankets wet and 
heavy, our spirits broken and our tempers altogether out of joint. 
The next day and night, I was sick and the succeeding morning, I 
was infonned by Lieutenant Thomas, who felt for some reason a spe- 
cial interest in me, that Colonel Beaver wanted a man from D Com- 
pany to act as orderly at his headquarters. The only orderly I had 
knowledge of was the Orderly Sergeants and I supposed, of course. 
Colonel's orderly outranked that and would carry with it increase of 
pay. I brightened up my brasses, bnished up my blue uniform, 
blacked my shoes, put on a paper collar and went down to the station 
to report to the Colonel, who told me to take a seat on a box near the 
door to his quarters and further enlightened me as to my duties by 
stating that when he had occasion to use me he would call me. Sitting 
on that box through the long afternoon became monotonous before 
dark, but I had plenty of leisure to review the situation, and after 
looking at it from every point of view, I came to the conclusion that 
of the two the Colonel had the better joib, still I Avas not altogether 
cast down. That evening at supper, I astonished my mess with stories 
of the great position I had secured, and for a day or two was the envy 
of the entire company. 

It was about this time the battle of Antietam was fought, and 
way off to the nortliwest tbe sound of distant cannonading could oc- 
casionally be heard. But whether proceeding from the battle itself, 
or caused by scouting parties of cavalry with light artillery, w^e could 
not tell. I had been at regimental headquarters but a few days when 
Colonel Beaver received a telegram that his brother was among the 
slain of that hard fought engagement. 1 remember, as if it was but 
yesterday, the awe with which I saw the first manifestation of the 
great grief that came with this sudden nciws. And I walked a.way 
from the office with an undefined feeling tliait I had no right there. 
More than once after that, when I heard the Colonel criticised for the 
sternness of his discipline, and the rigorousness of his drilling, this 
instance came to my mind : I knew that behind the sternness and aus- 
terity of manner was great and hearty sympathy and that the first 
consideration was the good of his men knowing that training and 
discipline were the prime requisites of a good soldier. Six months 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 339 

afterward when the Eeg-iment had gone through their first baptism 
of fire, at Chancellorsville, the boys recognized this fact, and these 
criticisms were heard no more. 

The days went sAviftly by at Cockeysville, at Gunpowder 
Cajnp and at Luthersville, where the^ vario'us ooimpaaaies were 
stationed and althoug'h a great deal of squad, company and 
battalion drill was conS(tanitly being practiodd, it was, all in 
all, perhaps, the most pleasant era of our term of service. An 
incident I remember quite well was the occasion of tlie presen- 
tation of the state flag- to the Regiment by Col. 'Samuel B. 
Thomas, Deputy Secretary of State, accompanied by a number of 
ladies from Bellefonte and Harrisburg. The Regiment at its finest, 
spick and span and as bright and shining as the brasses on its uni- 
forms, was drawn up in a meadow near the station, massed on division 
front. It fell to my part to stand some distance to tlie left and rear 
of the Colonel, holding the banner about to be presented ; and no one 
on that field had a more exalted opinion of his own importance than 
myself upon that occasion. One sentence only of th© Colonel's ad- 
dress in receiving the flag is fixed in my memory to this day. ''Boys," 
said he, "if in the vicissitudes of war it shall happen that the silken 
sheen of this flag shall be stained with the life blood of anyone of us, 
let no coward's blood grudgingly taint its folds." 

It was while at this camp an epidemic of yellow jaundice broke 
out. I am not sure now if the other camps had it, but I know that 
nearly every man in our camip turned a deep saffron color, getting 
deeper as the complaint progressed, and the customary salutation for 
a time was not, "How is your health?" but, "How is your complex- 
ion ?" It was while on this duty too that the first deaths occurred. 
Private Chas. M. Condo, of G Company, was the first — dro^vned 
while bathing in Gunpowder River. Private W. T. Orr, of Com- 
pany I, was the next, a heanty looking nigged man, who went do^vn 
with no apparent disease, a victim, I always believed, of sheer home- 
sickness. As tlie time passed, the efforts of tlie Colonel, Lieutenant 
Colonel and Major and the several company commanders began to 
be apparent in the proficiency of the Regiment, which was very 
marked. The Colonel never passed an opportunity to give a lesson 



540 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

in military bearing or conduct or to correct a slovenly style of either 
manner or dress. Generally tliese efforts were decidedly effective and 
the results could be seen all through tlie Regiment. But once at least 
in my hearing his subject failed to take a hint. A middle aged man 
from Company E came lounging down to headquarters, and accosted 
the Colonel as follows : 

"Say, Kurnel, can you tell me vere I can find the olt doctor." 
"Here, my man, let me show you how you should make such an 
inquiry. You be Colonel, and I'll ask you." 

With that, he walked off a few steps, turned, came back and 
making a military salute, said, 

"Please, Colonel, do you know where I can find Doctor Davis ?" 
"Grot in himmel no ; dait's choost what I'm trying to fine out my 
ownself alretty." 

On tlie 7th day of December, the coldest, roughest and most 
blustry day we had, since we came to Maryland, orders were received 
for the Regiment to break camp and proceed via Baltimore and Wash- 
ington to join the Army of the Potomac, I carried tlie order to the 
detachment at Gunjwwder, and handed it to Major Fairlamb, whom 
I found surrounded by a tent full of line officers, discussing the ques- 
tion of winter quarters. He immediately opened the envelope and 
before signing and returning to me, as was the custom, stopped to read 
the contents of tliis communication from regimental headquarters. 
"Gentlemen," said he, "it is not necessary to make further plans as to 
winter quarters. Here are marching orders." At once the Major 
was deluged with a flood of questions as to our destination, route and 
otlier matters pertinent. 

For some time, the idea had prevailed — the wish being probably 
fatjher to tilie thought — tliat we alunild remain in tliis same camp all 
winter, and extensive preparations had been going on looking to the 
creation of comfortable winter quarters. The local tinner had been 
kept exceedingly busy ito supply a certain sheet iron stove; and the 
local sihoeimakcr had made boots for about twenty per cent of tihe m.en 
in tihe four companiies atCockeysville, and they had no pay for most of 
these articles, and of course were interested in the future of the Regi- 



i 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 341 

inent in exact pro|X)i*tioii to the amount standing on their books 
against it. 

I remember seeing the stove man watch us off and I knew that 
at least one citizen saw us go with feelings of sincere regret. To the 
credit of the Eegimemt, be it said thiait these bills were paid almost 
without exception out of the first pay we received. 

ISTot having to march with my company through Baltimore and 
Washington, I had an opportunity to hear and see some things that 
did not come within the purview of the men in the ranks and I knew 
that in both cities the Regiment excited mudi admiration and elicited 
much favorable eomiment upon their military appearance, the pre- 
cision with which they marched and manoeuvred, the personal bear- 
ing of the men, their cleanlinesis and tidiness ; for that had been one 
of the lessons strictly taugibt during tihe previous autuinn, and the 
very apparent high state of discipline that prevailed. 

In BialtimoTe twot oonirades and myself went into a restaurant 
to get breakfast, and when we returned the Regiment was no where 
in sight. We asked a big Irish policeman on the corner if he had 
seen a regiment of soldiers about there lately ? 

"An' was it a foine big noo riginiint; an' did tihe byes have 
brasses a.-shoinin' and their caps nate and clane?" 

I assured him they were the very men we were looking lor. 

"An' was the koornel shlim like a gurrel ?" 

"'Yes," we answered. 

"They're over on the second strate bey ant," said he^ indica.ting 
The direction and adding, "illigant byes they 'a.rTe toO'." 

We passed through Washington without stopping over night and 
crossing that arm of the Potomac, extending out to the ISTavy Yard 
were once more in Maryland, and thiat night for the first time in our 
military experience, the entire Regiment camped out under the open 
sky without tents or other covering than our blankets and ponchos. 
. It was a sharp, frosty December night, but in the main our boys en- 
joyed it thoroughly. 

During the march across this Maryland peninsula, we could fre- 
quently hear the guns at far off Fredericksburg and the knowledge 
came to us by intuition that we were being hastened forward to re-en- 



342 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

farce the troops in front of the town. When we crossed the river at 
Liverpool Point, we learned the result of tliis engagement and the 
general gloom that was spread like a pall over everything and every- 
body about the landing at Acquia Creek extended to onr Regiment. 

For most of us the aftermath of battle was a revelation. Hos- 
pitals full of wounded men, open flat cars with their consignments of 
the same in every stage of misery, here and there beside a hospital, a 
heap of arms and legs afforded us a nearer view and a clearer realiza- 
tion of the horrors of war than ever we had before. But the Colonel 
commanding did not allow us much time to speculate on these matters 
— as quickly as all Avere safely over and our transportation looked 
after, the Regiment was formed and started for camp at Falmouth. 
I concluded to follow the railroad, thinking it would get me to Fal- 
mouth Station quicker, but niglit coming on (and having to abandon 
the railroad to avoid a high trestle) my sense of the whereabouts (if 
the Regiment (and myself relatively) became confused and I wa>- 
as completely lost as I ever wasi or ever expect to be until I reached 
that depot. I here got permission from a provost guard to make a 
bed between some hay bales in the quartermaster department and 
spent a night of extreme discomfort. 

Early next morning I resumed search for tlie Regiment and 
after making inquiry at grand division, corps and division headquar- 
ters, and finally came up with it about three o'clock in the afternoon 
in the wooil, which was afterward our camp until the movement to 
Chancellorsville began nearly five months later. 

Almost forty years have passed since tlien, but my memory is 
distinct as to the feeling of satisfaction and pride with which I heard 
compliments passed upon the appearance of our Regiment at those 
various headquarters. 

It was true that many who^ thus grudgingly acknowledged our 
sujx^riarity as to appearance and discipline cynically modified their 
judgment by saying that when we had passed through what they had 
undergone, w^e wouldn't be nearly so "tony," but that only emphasized 
the genuineness of their first opinion. 

The camp at Falmouth was, when we reached it, a forest of large 
pine trees witli a small sprinkling of undergrowth mostly oak. The 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 343 

entire ground had a furrowed, billowy appearance somewhat like a 
long unused cornfield, and I have been told, though I cannot vouch 
for the truth of the statement, that these had once been well culti- 
vated tobacco fields, worn out and abandoned so long that these trees 
many of them seventy-five feet high and more than a foot through 
had time to grow to their present proportions since. 

A very few days after we reached this camp, i had the first sight 
of Colonel, now Major General, John R. Brooke, who came to visit 
Colonel Beaver, his warm personal friend. He appeared to me to be 
about twenty-eight or thirty years old, large and erect, a broad high 
forehead and a rather restrained and distant manner, and I was im- 
pressed with his show of latent force and the idea that he could be 
very cool and collected upon occasion. Afterward I had an oppor- 
tunity to know something of his views as to certain commands, and 
I knew he was always a good friend of the 148th Regiment. 

One of the notable events while in this camp was, I think con- 
nected with our first pay day. We had received no pay since enlist- 
ment and when the paymaster reached us, we received four or five 
months pay each and a $25.00 installment of our bounty, making, 
including all ranks, if my memory ser^^es me right, over $75,000 in 
cash. A greater portion of the men had some more, some less money 
to send home. And the question was how to get it there. Our Chap- 
lain, Rev. W. H. Stevens, volunteered to take it. Each man's in- 
stallment was done up in a package marked with his name, company 
and regiment, the amount, the name and address of the party 
to whom it was to be deliveTed. These packages were placed together 
in a stout muslin bag about tire size of, and much resembling a pillow 
case, and with this under his arm our Chaplain proceeded up tlie river 
to Washington, through that city, Baltimore and Harrisburg and 
delivered more <than four hun'dred packages, in the m'aijority of oases 
personally to the parties addressed, without tlie loss of a single one. 
It might not be out of place here for me to bear testimony to the gen- 
eral reliability and worth of Chaplain Stevens, of which this act was 
a single illustration. 

Some time in March I was detailed for duty in the Assistant Adju- 
tant General's office at brigade headquarters and ordered to report to 



344 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Capt. Geo. H. Caldwell, Assistant Adjutant General. The duties 
devolving upon me as clerk were soon mastered and I began to get 
acquainted with and size up the people around me. Captain Cald- 
well was an easy going, good natured man, but no braver m,an held a 
lx)sition, such as his, in the Army of the Potomac, and if I mistake 
not he laid down his life oai that disastrous laftemoon of the 2d of 
June, in front of Petersburg. General Caldwell, his brother and 
brigade commander, was a portly, fine looking man with a great beam- 
ing face, whom most people who came in contact with liked, though 
I do not think his ability as a general officer was rated very high by 
his superioT officers. He had belong-ed to a Maine regiment, land as his 
old command did not belong to our Division he had no pets and was 
disposed to give the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers full credit for 
all she did, and his report of the Regiment's part in the battle of 
Chaneellorsville was especially strong in terms of commendation of 
the steadiness and valor of Colonel Beaver and his men. 

General Meagher, Colonel Van Schaack and Colonel Miles, who 
frequently came to brigade headquarters, are all characters whom 
nearly every man of our Regiment will remember. Colonel Van 
Schaack, a furloughed officer of the German Army, was an ideal Gei- 
man soldier. Tall and straight as an arrow, he sat on his horse as if 
grown there. General Thomas Francis Meagher, an exile from his 
native land for political reasons was a representative, turbulent, gen- 
erous, quick-witted Irishman. The two, though of very different na- 
tionalities, had many traits in common. Both men were impulsive, 
dashing, fond of horses and fond of show ; and my memory of them 
both is most strongly associated with St. Patrick's day celebration in 
which they had leading parts. General Miles is the only one of these 
three now living and tlie long and honorable career, which he has 
rounded up as a General, commanding the Armies of the United 
States, though not a West Pointer, is his best testimonial and removes 
any necessity for a word from me. 

Of the visit of President Lincoln to and review of the Army, and 
of Burnside's Mud Campaign in the early spring of 1863, it is not 
perhaps necessary to more than say that my recollection is still very 
vivid of the tall ungainly figure of the President on horseback, and 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 345 

his little boy following as they rode swiftly along the line, and of the 
later incident of seeing the other corps, troops, wagons, artillery and 
ambnlance flonndering through mud that seemed deep enough to 
almost eng-ulf both men and gims while we placidly held our camps 
and watched them both go and return on this abortive campaign. 

I have spoken of Caldwell's report of the battle of Ohancellors- 
.ville, and our Eegiment's part in it, and I will leave to other pens all 
description of that important but undecisive battle. In fact, the only 
part which I had opportunity to witness was the assault and carrying 
of Marye's Heights, and the lines to the left of it by the Sixth Corps. 
When the rush of business that had aooumulated in the Assistant Ad- 
jutant General's office at. brigade' beadquantiers during the fight was 
well out of the way, I went over to the Regiment. I found my own 
Comipany D nearly wiped out. It with C, H and G had withstood a 
withering flank fire, and the casualty list was very large. Many of 
my schoolmates, aimoing them Durst, Bible, Koeih and Weaver, were 
dead. Many more men badly wounded. In Bates' Pennsylvania Vol- 
unteers our loss in this engagement is given at twenty-five killed, but 
counting the few who were mortally wounded and died of their 
wounds within a week the four companies above named alone lost 
forty-one men. Subsequent to or shortly after the battle, however, 
other changes had come to Company D. Captain Musser and Second 
Lieutenant Musser were dead and Lieutenant Thomas had resigned 
and gone home. Only one vacancy, that of the Second Lieutenant, 
had been filled by the promotion of Sergt. A. A. Rhiiuehart, who 
commanded the company in the first fight. 

Not many weeks passed in the new camps we had taken after 
Chancellorsville until we knew Lee was moving northward and we 
were forced to follo\v him. Nothing of special note took place on the 
long march to Gettysburg until we came to Monooacy Junction, near 
Frederick, Maryland, when we made the unusual march, thirty-two 
miles between day light and dark from Frederick to beyond Union 
City. 

The next day we rested and then the Amiy first knew of the 
change in its commanders. At brigade headquarters, this change cre- 
ated much satisfaction. July 1st we resumed the march and that 



346 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

afternoon I had tlie opportunity of witnessing a pheiiomenion that I 
had never seen before. About three o'clock in the afternoon some one 
near, In looking upward, caught sight of a star. Immediately a num- 
ber of us sarw it, and then on looking closely we caught^ the dim twinkle 
of five or Siix more. We accepted it as auguring success for the under- 
taking, in which we were then engaged. Very shortly afterward as 
we neared Taneytown, we could hear tlie cannonading at Gettysburg. 

Just before the third day's fight began, I left brigade headquar- 
ters to make a visit with the Kegiment. I had scarcely reached their 
work, wihen a fearful thunder of artillery and storm of sihot and 
shell from more than three hundred guns, that will ailways be one of 
the famous incidents of that famous battle, began. As I remember 
it most of the enemy's shot went over the part of the line where we 
were aind did but little harm, but the horses land caissons in the rear 
suffered, and I have in mind now hearing horses cry like human 
beings. When the firing ceased the smoke cleared and we could see 
Pickett's troops moving with majestic strengdi and perfect alignment 
toward us. At first, it appeared as if they were coming straight for 
our line, but when tliey resumed movement, after halting on the Em- 
mitsburg Road tliey obliqued toward Cemetery Hill, which carried 
them off to our right. It happens tliat but few private soldiers have 
the opportunity to so fairly see an engagement as was presented on 
this occasion. The batteries from Little Round Tbp and Cemeter}' 
Hill were making gTcat gaps in the enemy's lines, and yet on they 
came. So absorbed were we in watching this mighty death struggle 
that we almost overlooked what was transpiring nearer to us, when 
Doubleday captured almost entire the supporting column, which had 
not gone so far to the right as Pickett, 

For its part in this battle, and more particularly the fight in 
the wheat field and near Devil's Den, our Regiment received the 
warmest praise from both Colonel McJveen, who commanded the 
Brigade afteir tlie death of Colonel Cross, land from General Caldwell 
in oommiond of the Division. 

We were still classed as a new Regiment, and I remember some 
of the headquarter force chaffing me desiring to know just when we 
expected to become veterans. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 347 

The return march from Gettysburg, the crossing at Harper's 
Ferry, and the race witli Leo down the lines of the Blue Ridge are 
matters of histoiy and are better told by those most intimately con- 
nected with them. On one of these marches it transpired that we of 
the headquarter detachment passed through a little place, called 
Hayma,rket, after nightfall. This town the winter before by order 
of General Seigel, I 'believe, had been burned to the ground on ac- 
count of the people harboring rebel sharpshooters who fired on our 
soldiers from their houses. The burning had left all the old-fashio/ied 
Virginia chimneys one at each end of the house standing and when 
we came through the place these chimneys, their outlines showing 
dimly in the gathering darkness and scattered here and there on both 
sides of the highway ,had much the appearance of immense monu- 
ments or grave stones, and it required very little exercise of the imag- 
ination to suppose ourselves marching through some weird and fan- 
tastic burying ground of a giant race. As we looked and pondered 
and talked about it one- of tlie headquarter clerks stepped into an open 
well, from which we quickly fished him out lest he should fall a prey 
to giant ghouls. 

After sundry baitings and campings the Corps finally brought 
up on the Rapidan beyond Culpeper and it was while in this camp 
that our Regiment was transferred from the First to the Fourth Bri- 
gade. This of course, relieved me from duty at First Brigade head- 
quarter®, but I was immediately detailed in the Fourth Brigade, and 
upon reporting thither almost the first work I did was copying an 
order from division headquarters detailing me for duty in the Assist- 
ant Adjutant General's office there. I reported to Maj. John Han- 
cock, a brother of General Hancock, at headquarters on the south side 
of Cedar Mountain, already historic as being the initi<il point of Gen- 
eral Pope's disasters of the year before. 

It was while in this camp that I was a witness for the first time 
of a military execution. A member of a JSTeav York regiment under 
sentence of death by court martial for desertion was in charge of the 
provost guard, and on the day of the execution all of tlie clerks in the 
different departments at headquarters were ordered to fall in behind 
them to witness it. The prisoner was an undersized, stoo^ shouldered. 



348 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

black haired man with a furtive restless look in his eyes, without a 
.-!Ug-g-estion of color in his face, who was seated on his coffin and shot 
to death with a relentless promptness and dispatch that seemed to me 
revolting to the last degree. It fell to my lot to see many executions 
after that, but none of them imj)ressed me as this one did. 

When we came back to the vicinity of Culpeper after the neck 
and neck race with Lee to gain the defenses of Washington, I was 
well satisfied with what I heard of our Regiment, particularly at 
Bristoe Station and Coffee Hill, and after the Mine Run Campaign 
was well over we were all glad to think of winter quarters. The camp 
of the 148th at 'Stevenburg was many times in my hearing that win- 
ter spoken of as a model cantomnent as clean and well policed as any 
regimental camp in that great Army. At division headquarters, the 
winter was given over largely to social features. A large hall had 
been erected here from himber felled and sawed on the banks of 
Moimtain Run, and thither during the winter came many celebrities 
to talk and lecture and otherwise entertain those who "were so for- 
tunate as to be able to gain admittance. Anna Dickinson, Grace 
Greeuiwood, Hannibal Hamlin, the Vice-President and othei"s whom I 
cannot recall were among them. Many ladies, wives and daughters of 
officers and men were in camp and when not in use for a lecture, 
this hall answered the purpose of a ball room. Many of the staff' 
officers Avere so taken with this form of enjoyment as fell little 
short of infatuation. I remember on one occasion tlie clerk's mess 
had "Ike," who was our cook, make some codffsh balls, and while at 
dinner one of our num'ber called out to Captain Hobart who was 
passing : 

"Captain, do you like codfish balls ?" 

"I don't know," answered the Captain, "I never attended one,* 
and another clerk commented, "Wliere a man's heart is there will his 
tongue be also." 

With the coming of the spring of 1864, we knew that Grant 
was to personally direct the movements of the Army of the Potomac, 
and many were the conjectures as to what disjxjsition would be made 
of the Second Corps, and great was our s^atisfaetion when we knew 
its organization would be retained. However, General Caldwell was 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 349 

to leave the command, and I don't believe there was an officer or 
enlisted man about headquarters that did not regret the approaching 
change. One morning in late March, he rode away, the whole head- 
quarters populace turning out to give him a parting cheer. In a 
few days his successor, General Barlow, arrived and assumed com- 
mand. General Barlow was a smooth faced, pale man of slight 
build and rather youthful appearance. He had made a record for 
bravery and fearlessness in the Peninsular Campaign and with the 
Eleventh Corps, and was aeoounted a good General; but I always 
tried to keep out of his way as much as possible and he had the 
hearty good will of few of the enlisted men about headquarters. 

Before starting on the great campaign of 1864, General Grant 
personally reviewed the Second Corps as reorganized by the addi- 
tion of two divisions of the Third Cor]>s. Of tliis review. General 
Walker, in his history of 'the Second Corps, says : 

''The appearance of the troops was brilliant in the extreme, 
but of all the gallant regiments that marched in review that day, 
two excited especiiail admiraition ; one was the 40ith New YoTk, 
Colonel Egan, from the famous Third Corps, the other was th« 
148th Pennsylvania, Colonel Beaver, from the old Second Corps." 

And now the beginning of that last gigantic struggle, that yeai- 
of fierce fighting and hard marching, of desperate advance and re- 
cession and re-advance, of assault and repulse, of flank and counter 
movements, of wounds and deaths that began at the Wilderness and 
ended at Appomattox was fairly on. Through it all and on every 
field the 14Sth Regiment won golden opinions from all for its valor, 
its discipline and its staying qualities, and at Po River and Spot- 
sylvania had the sad distinction of having the heaviest percentage 
of loss of any Regim^oiit. in the Anny. In both of these battles it 
won high praise from General Brooke, who never bestowed credit 
wthen it was not first fairly earned. 

About the first of August of this year, I was summoned to 
regimental headquarters, by Lieut. Col. Jas. F. Weaver, who offered 
to appoint me Sergeant j\Iajor if I would return to the Regiment. 
After giving the matter a day's thought, I accepted the promotion 
thankfullv at Colonel Weaver's hands. 



350 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Shortly coffer returning to the Regiment, we were ordered to 
City Point and aboard transports, and the usual speculation that 
Ave were going back to Washington was well aired. The fact that 
the old Second Corps was worn to a frazzle gave color to the con- 
jecture. We at least thinking that we had more than done our duty 
nnJ fairly earned some rest. After standing down the James River 
for an hour or so, our vessel got aground and we were there the 
next morning ; the balance of the Corps having turned and gone up 
to Deep Bottom and there were awaiting us. It is needless to say 
that this expedition, like the previous one that summer was fruitless, 
but we were in a pretty close place for about thirty-six hours, never- 
tbeless. 

I have in mind how Lieutenant Burdhfield, who was Acting Ad- 
jutant, insisted on my making out a daily report, "Present," "Present 
lOT Duty," etc., right under the fire of a rebel battery that had our 
range perfectly and was peppering us with a shell every few minutes 
with frightful regularity and excellent execution. 

From Deep Bottom, a long hot march took us clear around to 
the extreme left of our Army at Reams Station and here, after 
destroying the railroad for several miles, we were attacked by Hill's 
Corps and practically driven from our works, but not until we had 
given the enemy a stiff fight and great punishment. The line of 
defense at Reams was essentially vicious and the weakness of one 
regiment at a critical moment lost the day. Here again Lieutenant 
Burchfield called on me to prepare a daily report, much to my 
disgust, at a moment when I felt we had weightier matters on hand, 
and circumstances did not favor either steadiness of hand or clear- 
ness of thought. Here Lieutenant Ralston, an old friend, was 
killed, adding one Tnore to the mortality list of Company C's un- 
lucky officers, and here Colonel Beaver, who had just reached the 
command from sick leave received the bad wound, which cost him 
a limb at the very moment he assumed command of the Brigade, 
and here Captain Rhinehart, who commanded, and our Regiment 
who constituted the reconiioifcriiig detail that twice wont out into 
the woods against Hill's line and uncovered their plan of battle, 
displayed great courage and coolness. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 351 

When our lines were driven back across the railroad, I came 
upon Sergeiaiit Fox, of G Conipamy, who was groping his way like a 
blind man and who claimed his eyes were put out. The fact was he 
had recei^'ed several bayonet wounds about his face in the close 
struggle at our works and the blood and powder smoke had filled his 
eyes and caused them to smart to such a degree that he thought his 
eyes were out. I led him back and turned him over to someone who 
conducted him to an ambulance, where he found out his eyes were 
all right and he was back with his Regiment in a few days. 

Shortly after returning from Reams Station, our Regiment was 
taken to Fort Haskel, and after occupying that stronghold for one 
night and day, we Avere moved at night to Fort Steduian, which 
we garrisoned for some time. Two' events of our stay at Fort Sted- 
man are prominent in my memory ; one was the arming of our 
Regiment with Spencer seven-shot breech loading rifles, to replace 
the old Springfield rifle. We all felt this exchange to be in an 
especial manner complimentary to our Regiment. General Han- 
cock was furnished enough of these arms to equip one regiment in 
each division of his corps and from all the valiant regiments in the 
First Division, who had fought under him on many a desperately 
contested field he saw fit to choose the 148th Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. When our boys went on picket line with these new arms 
they created quite a sensation, not only in our own line, but along 
the rebel line not far away as well, and more than one "Johnny" 
was reported to have yelled out after a rather close call from the 
second shot of one of these guns, "Say, Yank, what kind-o guns 
you all got over thar? You all load on Sunday and shoot all week." 

The other incident mentioned was the raiding of the sutler. 
One evening just after one of those periodical bursts of fierce picket 
firing joined by artillery and the cohom mortars, very frequent at this 
point, and subsiding, Captain Rhinehart noticed a number of men 
apparently tumbling over the line of works in our rear a little 
to the right of the open way into the fort. Some one was directed 
to go doAvn and see what was up. He discovered it was some of our 
men with bags of cookies, firkins of butter and other eatables and at 
once concluded there had been a raid somewhere. Bv the time 



552 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

this was reported to Captain Khineliart and he had secured a guard 
to take possession of the goods, these men had mingled with the 
rest of their comrades and could not be identified, while the goods 
had also oompleteJy disappeai^ed. Pretty soon the sutler oame up f roan 
the hollow in the rear to make complaint hut he could not name 
any of the men engaged in the raid. Captain Rhinehart who was 
commanding the Regiment made an earnest eifort to discover and 
bring to justice the guilty parties, but without success. We had 
the bomb proofs land quairiters searched witliout results. I was told 
afterwards that most of the plunder was buried under the beds in thf- 
bomb proofs and one or two more fertile in resource than their 
fellows hung bags out on the face of the work in full view of the 
enemy's picket line where it was worth a man's life to stand and 
look over in the day time. But even this ingenuity did not in this 
instance avail, for others observing their movements went around the 
works in the moat, cut the rope that held their stolen treasure, allow- 
ing it to drop into the moat and at their leisure they despoiled 
the despoilers. 

We were relieved from duty at Fort Stedman after some time 
by the 5th New Hampshire. During the time we lay at this 
fort, we haid some mien killed on picket but none in the fort, and 
our boys took occasion to warn the relieving comrades to look out 
for a certain ridge at the west end of the work, directing them to 
use a covered way there; but this warning in the nature of things 
could not be made altogether general, and we were informed that 
five men were killed on this ridge that first day by sharpshooters. 
Fi-om Fort Stedman, we went into cam]) in a hollow in the rear 
of Fort Morton and from tliere to Fort Meikle. It was while 
lying at this last place that the faanous assault and capture of the 
rebel lines with thirty ]>ersons, one field, 'and two line officers, ordei'ed 
by General Miles, directed by General Mulholhind, brigade coan- 
mander, and made by one hundred men of the Regiment, under 
Captain Brown, of Company K, occurred. I have often heard the 
detail that made this sortie referred to as one hundred picked men 
from the 148th Pennsylvania. T made this detail under the direc- 
tion of Lieutenant Burchfield, who was still acting as Adjutant, and 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 353 

my reoollection is that tlie men and officers detailed were those wlio?e 
turn for picket duty would have come next and that they were 
not picked within the meaning of that word. I am sure, however, 
that most of the men had some idea of the hazard of the, duty on 
which they were about to enter, but not one of them flinched and 
not one as I now remetmber it, aisked to be excused. 

From Fort Meikle, we moved with our Corps to the Feeble- 
Farm and went into winter quarters. Lieutenant Colonel Weaver 
had returned and was in command and Lieutenant Burchfield was 
still acting as Adjutant. The personnel of the line officers had 
changed greatly since we left the camp of the winter beforer at 
Stevensburg. Captains Harpster, Harper, Rhinehart, Benner, Sut- 
ton, and Brown were still with their companies ; but many officers 
had gone never to be with us again. Among these was Colonel 
Beaver. The winter passed quickly away, the men generally em- 
ployed in drilling, doing police and picket duty always enough to 
keep them busy. Eiither General Grant or General Meade or Gen- 
eral Humphrey conceived the idea that matters with the enemy 
were becoming desperate, night assaults were considered among the 
probabilities, and orders were given to keep on&^half of the men 
always under arms through the night. While this imposed ad- 
ditional hardships on the men, it seemed that the events at Fort 
Stedman on the 21st of March justified the precaution. During 
the fighting that followed Gen. Jno. B. Gordon's assault on that 
stronghold. General Humphreys advanced his Second Corps and 
drove the rebels out of their picket line in front of the right of 
us, but withdrew and sent us back to our camps after dark, having 
accomplished his object in the meantime. 

In a few days we broke camp once more, Brigadier General 
.Tohn Ramsey, now commanding the Division. From this until the 
end came stirring events followed each other in quick succession. 
Our first brush with the enemy was at Gravelly Run or White Oak 
Road, Avhere Lieit.. Samuel Evehart, of C Com]>any, a brave and 
thorough officer and a personal friend, and six men were killed, 
and Captain Rinehart was wounded. The second day there, after 
we were engaged at Sutherland Station and drove the enemy from a 



354 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

position where they had repulsed two efforts to dislodge them. The 
fire of the Spencers on their flanks was too much for them. A 
day or two later our Division was in hot pursuit of the enemy's 
wagon train from Sailor Creek toward High Bridge. It was a 
sort of running fight; as fast as their rear guard took position, we 
v;ere hurried forward to drive thena out and just at sundown they 
abandoned a large number of wagons and some artillery at a bridge 
across a branch of Sailor's Creek, but cut the horses loose and rode 
rapidly away. In the wagons were quantities of mail among other 
gviods, and I remember seeing groups of our boys reading letters, 
by iheir camp fires far into the night. Next morning we came to 
High Bridge near Farmville just in time to prevent the destruction 
of the wagon bridge, though two spans, I think, of the railroad 
bridge had been destroyed. The Second Division crossed first, our 
Regiment was in the lead of our Division, and as we stood on the 
bank the rebels fired a parting shot at us from a redoubt at the 
farther end. When we reached there, how^ever, they had disapj^eared, 
and an old darkey with a kinky gray head and a toothless mouth 
was the sole occupant. We asked what became of the rebels who 
had been there. 

"Dey gone, sah, dey gone," was the reply. 

"Did they nm' ?" someone queried. 

"Gora mighty massa, dey just flewed, dey flewed." 

After crossing the Appomattox, our Regiment was detailed by 
order of General Ramsey to forage for the remainder of that day, and 
it is to that fact we owe it that we did not participate in the fight, 
which General Humphreys forced with Lee's whole Army, and in 
which our neighbor regiment, 140th Pennsylvania, and some others 
sustained grave losses. It was in this engagement that Joseph H. 
Law, of Company E, who was General Miles' bugler at division head- 
quarters, was killed. He was our last loss of the War. So hard wa? 
I>oe trying to get away and so sharply were our troops following that 
we did not again overtake our Brigade until the morning before thai 
eventful day, when Loe iravo up the struggle and surrendered hU 
Arm v. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 355 

As we marched to overtake them we had opportunity to note a 
new feature of tJie campaign and of the War. Here and there we 
passed gi'onps of our stragglers intersj^ersed with numbers of John- 
nies follo'\ving the Arm^y and busily oomparing notes and .oocaisiooi- 
ally by the roadside would be a party, perhaps about as many from 
one Ai*my as the other, having their coifee and rations together and 
talking their battles over in the greatest good fellowiship. 

The feeling that the end was near was. very prevalent, and we 
were not one whit surprised, when about four o'clock in the after- 
noon, an officer rode rapidly down the road along which we were lying 
and announced that Lee had surrendered. A few minutes later an 
ambulance containing the rebel commissioners of exchange and a gen- 
eral officer came down the same road and passed to our rear. Very 
few I think of our Regiment caught even a glimpse of the rebel Army 
at the last, and I have regretted that I did not add that to my experi- 
ences, but we wei'e glad enough thiat this was the end and next morn- 
ing about faced, and by easy daily stiages marched back to oamp near 
Burkesville Junction. 

On the evening of May 2d, we broke camp on the retura marcli 
to Washington ; the moon was nearly full, the sky clear ; the trees 
along the way were beginning to put on their verdure and the air was 
redolent of the breath of spring. As we marclied, the dinim corps and 
regimental bands played popular adr& and finally struck up, "When 
Johnny Glomes Marching Home." The stress of discipline was still 
too strong to allow a general cheer, but here and there the bolder men 
did cheer and every man marched with more elastic step and upright 
bearing. Behind us was the past, itis marches, and its battles, its 
hunger and thirst, its thrill of victory and stdng of defeat, all in the 
shadow of the unchangeable. Before us were home, friends, honor- 
able careers, fame, the rewards of ambition, the joys of hope. 

In passing through Richmond, we marched by Castle Thunder 
and Libby Prison, and an officer pointed out to some of us General 
Lee and his daughter watching us froim an open window. On our 
march north, we crossed the Po River on the 9th of May, the very 
day, and some of the men say the very hour, at which the Regiment 
crossed the year before, but not at the same spot. When we reached 



356 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

cainp, near FairfauX Seminary, I received a commission as Adjutant. 
Sergeant Lucas and another received commissions at the same time, 
and it became a question whether we should be mustered or not. Some 
suggesting that if mustered again we might be held after the Regi- 
ment went out, but I had long been ambitious to wear shoulder straps 
home and at once made up my mind to muster as Adjutant and the 
others followed my example. 

With Lieutenants Fox and Stuart to assist me by their counsel 
and advice, I proceeded to purchase a uniform, and for fifteen day> 
reveled in the glory' of being a full fledged and projDerly equipped 
Adjutant. Sergeant Sloan, of Company K, was promoted to Ser- 
geant Major at this same tima 

From this camp, we early one morning crossed the river to take 
part in that meonorable last appearance of the Army of the Potomac, 
the grand review by the President and General Grant. I had no 
horse of my own, but John Fortney, of D Company, who had come 
into possession of one about the time of the surrender and had been 
loaning it to tlie acting Adjutants, came to my rescue in this particu- 
lar. He was a fine large bay iiorse, which, bad one serious fault, how- 
ever ; when going down hill he showed unmistakable signs of string 
halt, and as we nuarched dol^\1l Capitol Hill to get to Pennsylvania 
Avenue, I could hear the boys behind me say, "left, left," anid ''hay 
foot, straw foot," and I well knew whait it meant. The great ci*owds 
along Pennsylvania Avenue, in every window, on every house top, the 
flags everywhere flying, the children singing, the long line of march- 
ing men both before and behind us impressed us profoundly that this 
was no common event, that it was in fact, a sight never before wit- 
nessed on this continent and possibly never to be again. When we 
had passed the reviewing stand, crossed the aqueduct bridge and 
were winding our way toward caanp along tlie Heights of Arlington, 
we caught a glimpse now and again through shrubbery and trees, 
bet\veen steeples and roofs,, of the troops still steadily marcliing. It 
was the last view we were ever to have of the Army of the Potomac, 
that magnificent body of soldiers with which wo had been associated 
for so long, through every vicissitude of the fortunes of war. 
Five days later we were ordered to Harrisl>urg to be um?- 
tered out and the gallant 148th Regiment cnnio to an end as an organ- 
ized boflv IfMviiio- its deeds to history-. 



THE COLORED IfEGIMENT OFFICER'S STORY. 
By Copt. Robert A. Travis. 

After the battle of Getit^'isbirrg, as a Sergeant of Company E, 
14 8 til Peiinsylvafliia Volunteers, tihe oasiualties of tlie battle left me in 
conimanid of tlie. oompainy until tire following fall. Some time after 
the ba,ttle I received a conimi'ssion as 'Second Lieutenianti, but on ac- 
count of losses our com]3any had not enough men to permit me to be 
mnstered. 

Along in September, 1863, botli Armies were quiet, and during 
this inaction. Sergeant Sutton and myself made application for per- 
mission to go before General Casey's board tO' be examined for com- 
missions in a colored regiments I passed the examination, was com- 
missioned Captain and instructed to report to Col, Louis Wagner at 
Camp William Penn, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was the one 
time in my life I regretted success ; I was very soriy to leave my cojp- 
rades to go among entire strangers. My old comrades raised a fund 
to purchase me a sword (which I have yet and value very highly) and 
while I appreciated this mark of their esteem it made it still harder 
to say good-bye. Heire terminates my connection with the old Regi- 
ment, but> not my interest. I have always been proud of the 148th 
and rejoice as sincerely as any one in her well meTited distinction. 

In my new regiment I found an efficient corps of officers, the 
ordeal through which they had to pass to secure a commission at that 
time was a guarantee that they had the intellectual qualifications for 
the places assigned them. Here again I haid reason to be fcliankful for 
the training I had received in my old Regiment in tactics, discipline 
and army regulations. I took my position with confidence and feel 
I acquitted myself with credit, although I was well aware that I did 
not compare with many of my brother officers in scholarly attainments 
as several of them were college graduates, yet when it came to mili- 
tary questions I felt no inferiority, and my company in drill, disci- 
pline and condition of clothing, arms and equipments was my voucher 
that I had been an apt student, and had profited by my training. 

My first experience in the colored regiment to which I was 
transferred followed immediately on my reporting for duty. I ar- 



358 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

rived at headquarters about 4 :00 p. m., reported to tlie Colonel and 
was taken to my quarters and introduced to my Lieutenants who had 
reported some days in advance of my arrival. That night I was de- 
tailed as ojSicer in charge of the camp for the next day to report at 
guard mount at 9 :00 a. m. to relieve the retiring officer and receive 
my instructions. It seemed to me that they were very prompt in 
putting me into harness and that night I must confess 1 regretted 
leaving the 148th. There was but one person in the new regiment 
that I had ever met before and with him I could scarcely claim 
acquaintance, as I had met him but a few times when a boy — so T 
was lonesome and homesick for my old comrades. 

On reporting for duty next morning I received the usual instruc- 
tions, but was cautioned to be especially careful and not allow any in- 
toxicating liquors to be sold to men, as they became ungovernable 
and disorderly when under the influence of drink. I tried faithfully 
to carry out these instructions, but the hucksters, many of whom were 
women, were entirely too sharp for me. They had bottles in their 
underskirt, pockets, in the bottom of baiskets, etc., and before night 
almost everyone of the men who had the price and the will, was more 
or less under the influence of liquor and the guard house was full of 
the worst cases. One of these became very abusive, striking and 
otlierwise abusing the other prisoners. The Lieutenant of die guard 
ordered the Sergeant to handcuff him ; the man resisted, striking the 
Sergeant. The Lieutenant then stepped forward, not thinking for a 
moment the intoxicated man Avould resist him, and was about to hand- 
cuff him, when the man aimed a blow at the Lieutenant. At this the 
Lieuteniant drew his sword and with a ringing blow felled him to tlie 
ground. The man was unconscious, wias carried to the hospital and 
the news went through the camp that tJie Lieutenant had killed one 
of the men. 

All this had transpired without my knowledge. The camp was 
more than usually quiet and I had gone to my quarters to retire, con- 
graitulating myself that one of the worst ordeals I had passed through 
was about over, when I heard an unusual commotion in the cx>m- 
pany streets, loud talking and the fixing of bayonets. I went out and 
found tlio men in frenzy of rage at the supposed death <>f their com- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 359 

rade, swearing tliey would ride the 'Svhite livered s of b " 



officer out of camp. Fortunately for us, Colonel Wagner had used 
the precaution not to issue any ammunition to the men. 

In less time than it Kas taJken me to tell you of it I had grasped 
the situation, I sent my man, Strong, to tlie Lieutenant of the guard 
witli the message to send me three or four j&les of men with loaded 
muskets if he had them that oould be trusted. The men came. With 
my pistol and isquad I cleared the oompauy streets before they had 
time to plan their attack on the officers. I had to arrest and hand- 
cuff la few of tlie loud moirthed and baistero'us. These were after- 
ward court martialed and punished and it was th.e last effort at mut- 
iny we had. 

I flatter myself tliat by prompt and positive action I averted 
what might have been an ugly affair, and I feel that to my training 
in the 14Sth Regiment was due the ability to grasp the situation and 
handle it. The situation was more grave than you might imagine. 
There were only thirty officcTS and a,bout nine hundred colored men, 
many of them intoxicated, and with a little time to arrange for con- 
certed action on their part we would have been at their mercy. That 
evening I was more homesick for my old Regiment tlian on the pre- 
vious evening. 

My after expeirience was much better. The men developed into 
good soldiers and our discipline was excellent. 



THE PRISONER'S STORY. 



PART I. 
By Lieut. Col. George A. Bayard. 

I was captured on the 22d day of June, 18G4, near Petersburg, 
Virginia, during an effort to extend the lines of our Corps to the left, 
as is told elsewhere in the general history of the Regiment. We lay 
in an open field during the night and, on the mioming of the 23d, 
marched to Petersburg in charge of the provost guard. From there, 
with other prisoners, I was taken in a box car to Libby Prison and 
was exaimined by the famous Dick Turner, a former citizen of New 
York, who was in command. He told me if I had any money I should 
give it to him and at the end of my destination he would send me two 
of their dollars for one of ours. I fortunately didn't have any, except 
ten cents, and it w^as probably well that I didn't, as the money he got 
from other officers was never returned. The ten cents came in well 
afterwards for a little purchase in Augusta. 

I was kept in Libby about seven days. The building was a rude 
brick structure and was crow^ded. On the second floor there were 
about two hundred prisoners. While there I received a note from 
Colonel Fairlamb, who had been badly wounded and was lying in a 
room below me on the first floor. I have unfortunately mislaid the 
note, but in it he complained of the fare which he was receiving. I 
intended waiting him, congTatulating him upon being so well pro- 
vided, because he was getting much better than I. The rations served 
to the prisoners were very slim and ill-sei'ved. Thin bean soup was 
brought up in old fish tubs, made by cutting fish barrels in two. In 
order to get my quota of soup, I was conipelled to break my canteen 
in two and use the parts as dishes so as to hiave something to hold my 
quota of the fluid. I never was able to see Colonel Fairlamb, being 
taken out before I had the opportunity. 

From Libby prison T was taken to Lynchburg and, while there, 
was given five hard tacks as large as a common bread plate and a 
small piece of bacon which was to last me five days. It was at that 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 361 

place that our cavalry got in and tore up tlie railroad and burned the 
depots for a distance of a,bout seventy-five miles, so when we were 
taken from Lyuehburg to Danville we were compelled to walk the 
entire distance. The parts of my canteen, previously referred to, 
served me well here, for on the march I would take my hard tack and 
cut up some green apples and make a stew out of them, using the one 
side of my canteen for a stew pan. It took us over five days to make 
the trip. While on the march, the soles of my shoes came off and I 
was coimpelled to tie them on with strings. We arrived at Danville 
on the 4th day of July. Grant had boasted of his taking Eich- 
mond that day. As we were marching through the streets, the Con- 
federates Avanted to know whether Grant had taken Riclimond yet. 
By reason of the bad condition of my shoes, I dropped to the rear 
and, while miarching through the toiwn, stopped to get a drink of 
water from an old colored woman who stood on the sidewalk. While 
there, a citizen of the to\vn came up to me and, with much profanity 
and abuse, wanted to know why I was standing there and why T 
didn't keep up with my comrades. I learned afterwards that he was 
from Bedford County, in Pennsylvania, and the incident simply illus- 
trates what is often said — that the most rabid of the southern people 
were those who came from the Korth. 

At Danville they put us on box cars — about forty in a car — 
closed the doors and shipped us to Macon, Georgia. We were five 
days and five nights on the road, with hardly anything to eat. 
We arrived at our destination and, before we were taken to the 
stockade, we were searclied and, if we had anything of any account, 
it was taken from us. When the gates were opened, we saw a sight 
that was wonderful. Inside those walls were over seventeen hun- 
dred officers. When we entered, they yelled as loud as they could 
"Fresh fish !" In my ignorance I thought it was very warm to 
have fresh fish, not knowing that they were yelling at us. I was in 
the stockade only a few minutes when I met Captain Breon who 
had been taken prisoner a iew days before me. He asked me to 
go and take dinner with him, as he and four of his other comrades 
had formed a mess. I accepted the invitation. Our bill of fare 
Avas com meal and some kind of berries mixed together. It took 



362 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

the shape of a roly-polj pudding of very primitive form, the meal 
and berries being boiled together in a leg of Captain Breon's draw- 
ers sewed at one end and tied at the other. We certainly did enjoy 
that meal, as we were very hungry. The stockade that we were in 
was called Camp Winthrop and we remained there about six weeks. 

The Confederates expected some of Sherman's advance guard 
who were on tliat wonderful march to the sea at that time. They 
put us in squads of six hundred and the squad I was in was sent 
to Savannah, Georgia. We were encamped in a stockade at the 
Marine Hospital grounds and were there nearly six weeks. We 
were furnished tents here but were compelled to raise them from 
the ground, so that they ooruld seei under the floors tihat there was 
no tunneling for escape. The grounds were lighted by huge bonfires 
upon elevated platforms. We were treated better here than at most 
of the camps which we occupied. I recall distinctly a sendee held 
by an old Scotch Chaplain who preached for us one night before he 
was exchanged. During the service, he prayed for President Lin- 
coln with great earnestness, notwithstanding the fact that he was 
heard by the sentinels who surrounded tiie stockade. 

We were then moved to Charleston, South Carolinai, and placed 
in a jail yard \yhere "we were under constant fire from our giins 
at James' Island. We were there from four to five weeks. Each 
morning about three o'clock our people began shelling the city. 
The jail being centrally located, and of stone, was constantly being 
hit by our shells. The prisoners being afraid of the balls and 
stone, would go up and lie near the jail walls, so as to be protected. 
The jail yard was so filtliy dirty that many of the officers took the 
3'ellow fever and died. T had the itch and body lice and was nearly 
starved to death. 

We were removed later to higher grounds back of Columbia, 
South Carolina, where all the prisoners — 1,700 — were mobilized 
again. They called this "Camp Sorghum," where we wci-e kept for 
f( ur weeks. While there, a great big hog came into camp and 
the i)risonei*s, not having had any meat for months, surrounded the 
hog and killed him. They skinned him and, when they cooked him, 
you could smell the od(U- all over the camp. At another time two 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 363 

bloodhounds came into tlie camp and they were likewise captured 
and killed but were thrown into a sink hole. There was hardly 
a night passed that some of the prisoners did not try to escape and 
as soon as one sentinel fired, all the sentinels began firing, and many, 
officers, while sitting around the camp fire thinking of loved ones 
at home, were killed by these shots. To' protect ooirselves, we dug 
ditches large enough to hold five men each and in that way we 
would pass the night safely. 

We were removed from that oamp to a stockade at Columbia, 
South Carolina, which was some time during December, when it 
was beginning to get very cold. The place in which we slept was 
nothing but a rude shed, the upper story being used for a hospital. 
Thei'e w^as great suffering here from the cold and hunger. Each 
man would receive a pint of corn meal a day and three small sticks 
of wood for five men to last twenty-four hours to bum to keep them 
warm. On Christmas day we hadn't anything at all to eat but be- 
tween Christmas and New Year my mess received some Confed- 
erate money. The mess, all told, had raised $2,700.00 
in Confederate money. I do not know exactly how all of it 
was obtained. I secured $600.00 in this way. General (then Colonel) 
Frazer, of the 140th Regiment, was in prison at the same time. 
He had been a professor in Jefferson College, Canonsburg, Penn- 
sylvania, an institution which was well known in the South and 
from which many of the southern people had graduated. He intro- 
duced me to a gentleman who was doing an exchange business with 
the prisoners, as one of his students. I drew a draft upon the 
First Niaitiou'al B^ank of Belief onte for $100.00, payaible in gold, 
and for this received $600.00 in Confederate money. To follow 
the draft to its destination: when I was exchanged and got^ my 
pay, I was carrying home $300.00 in currency, with which to 
pay the draft. Boa.rding tdie train at Hiairrisburg one morning, I met 
Abram Sussman, Frank Wilson and other friends from Bellefonte, 
who told me that the draft had been presented bnt that my friends, 
fearing thiat it was either a forgery or that I had been coerced into 
signing it, d'eclined to pay it and it had been returned. 'Nat knowing 
how to send the money for the repayment of the draft, I fear that the 



364 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

gentleman who did the exchange business was short at least to the 
e-xtent of that draft. A part of my money was expended, as here- 
inafter described. I regret to say that a goodly portion of what 
was received by other members of the mess was lost in fighting the 
tiger at a faro bank wdiich was nin bj" some thrifty Cooifederates, 
Avithin the prison limits. 

New Year's day was my cook day and then the mess told me 
to get up a good dinner. I w^ent to the Confederate sutler, who had 
his place within the bounds of the prison, and bought two round 
steaks, one pound of butter, nine loaves of bread and a half peck 
of sweet potatoes. After I bad the dinner ready and the table set, 
I told Captain Breon there was just one thing needed and that was 
mustard. He said he would soon get that. He went to the hospital, 
almost doubled up, and told the doctor he wanted some mustard for 
the pain in his back. He secured it, but instead of a plaster for 
his back we used it to help plaster the interior of our stomachs. 
That was the only square meal we had while we were in the Con- 
federate prisons and that cost us $100.00 in Confederate money. 

I had $100.00 left of the money I had borrowed. I had pre- 
viously maide myself a: pair of slippers out of my old blouse, as my 
shoes had been worn out months before. The sutler, previously 
referred to, had English shoes for sale, but he asked $100.00 a 
pair for them. I visited his place a dozen times a day, considering 
V'hether I'd buy shoes or something to eat. One day, when un- 
usually hungry, I saw a part of a hog's head, known in Pennsylvania 
as the "jowl," and asked him what he wanted for it. He said, 
''I'll take $;36.00 for it." I did without the shoes and took the 
jowl. 

We were kept in that stockade until three o'clock on the 14th 
day of February, when we were quickly taken out of one end of the 
town as Sherman's advance guard was marching in at the other. 
We were put in box cars and some of Sherman's advance guards 
were captured and put in with us and were all sent to Charlotte, 
North Carolina. We were kept there but a few days, for Sherman 
was following close behind. We were then taken to Raleigh, North 
Carnlijiji, whore we remained over night and the following dav 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 565 

were reviewed by Gov. Zeb. Vance, of tiiat stete. One of the offi- 
cers told us, after it got dark, that we oould go up town. Captain 
Evans and Lieutenant Stover, botli of the IS-ith Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, and myself took advantage of this opportunity and went 
to town. While tJiere we met a Confederate guard and asked him 
where we oould get some apple jack. He told us he had some in 
his canteen and charged us $15.00 in Confederate money for three 
drinks. We asked him where we could buy a quart and he said 
around the corner at a grocery store. We purchased a quart of the 
fluid and paid the grocer $60.00 in Confederate money for it. We 
saw a part of the town but by the time we got back to camp we 
oooildn't see anything else. 

We left Raleigh and went to Goldsboro and there they kept as 
many as they could of us at the court house. We were there only 
a night and the next day we signed a parol of honor not to take 
up arms until we would be exchanged as prisoners of war. That 
afternoon we boarded the train and went within nine miles of 
Wilmington, North Carolina. The next morning, when the train 
stopped, we were marched between the ranks of a regiment of our 
cavalry. We were given something to eat and then taken to Wil- 
mington. This was on the 1st day of March, 18G5. On the 2d 
of March I embarked on a vessel for Annapolis and reached that 
city about the 5th. I bought myself a hat a suit of clothes and a 
pair of shoes and gave the storekeeper my name and regiment, as 
1 had not received any money, but promised to pay him when I 
received my pay from the Government before I left the city, which 
I did. The clothes I was captured in I threw away that day. I 
received a leave of absence for thirty days from the 15th of March 
until the 15t(h of April; also received twoi montiis' pay and came 
home. 

At the end of my leave, I went back to Annapolis and from 
there we were ordered to Washington to participate in the funeral of 
our martyred President, Abraliani Lincoln. 1 joined niy Regiment 
beyond Alexandria, Virginia, where I was mustered as Major, hav- 
ing been promoted during my absence in prison. I participated in 
the Grand Review at Washington and from there went to Harris- 
burg where I was mustered out the 1st day of June, 1865. 

Comrade Bayard survived the dangers of battle and the hardships of cap- 
tivity, returned to his home in Bellefonte, Pa., where he lived for many years 
an honored and worthy citizen, and was killed by a switch engine July 7, 1903. 
— Editor. 



366 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



THE PRISOXER'S STORY. 



PART II. 

By Sergeant T. P. Meyer, Co. A. 

The following " Prisoners Story," by Sergeant T. P. Meyer, it will be noted, 
begins just after the battle at Auburn Mills or "Coffee Hill," and will be better 
understood if introduced by the following extracts from a serial article published 
by him in the Centre Reporter, Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. — Editor. 

In moving off, tlie dead and wounded were left lying on the 
field. I came to a "conscript" lying dead beside a great, bulging, 
new knapsack, which a comrade had cut from his shoulders to free 
him. It was a dangerous place to halt, but I halted, and after mak- 
ing sure that he was dead I swung his knapsack over my shoulder 
and carried it with me to where we formed the line behind the fence. 
I examined the contents of my prize and found there was a full new 
uniform, underwear, a complete soldier's outfit, worth about thirty 
dollars. I concluded that if I would hurry I could put on the new 
uniform before the battle would begin again. So there, in line of 
battle, I quickly tlirew off everything I had on, even the shoes, and 
in a few minutes I was dressed new and clean from head to foot. I 
wore this entire outfit from this day (October l-lth) to the spring of 
the following year without change or washing, as will appear further 
on in this narrative. 

T left my own outfit lying there and packed the minor articles of 
the prize, combs, thread, needles, razor, paper, envelopes, stamps, 
etc., into my own knapsack. 

The First Division of the Second Corps (ours), under General 
Warren did the rear guard fighting; we were hard pressed and were 
cut off from the rest of the Army. For awhile our Brigade was con- 
sidered captiir(>d. We dodged around among the hills and in the woods 
and formed lines of battle in all directions of the compass. The 
Fourth Brigade, to which the 148th was attached, formed the rear 
guard and the 14Sth the rear of all ; the pioneers to the rear, as the 
Regiment moved out "left in front." Wherever we turned the Confed- 
erates were ready for us. Once more we shifted and on the "double 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 567 

quick" left tlie field, determined to make our escape. We moved by a 
road running along a wood. The Confederates pushed a line of battle 
through this woods, reaching the road just in time to fire a terrific 
volley into the rear of our column and rush it in flanlv. 

We bolted out of the road and went pell mell across a small field, 
for a strip of woods beyond. ''What are the orders," the pioneers 
asked. "jSTo orders," I said, "every man that can will save himself 
from capture." Many never reached the woods but were shot down in 
the field because we did not heed the enemy's challenge to halt and 
surrender. About two himdred of us reached the woods in a rush, to 
find it in possession of the enemy 'and all were captured ; while many 
others, keeping the field to the left, escaped. 

This series of fights went into history as the battles of Auburn 
and Bristoe and the entire moveanent as the campaign of manoeuvres. 

* * -X- 

On recovering the Auburn battlefield some of my comrades 
went to the spot where in the tumult they had last seen me. There 
were many shallow soldiers' graves scattered around. They uncov- 
ered one which they imagined might shelter me and idenltified the re- 
mains. They cut the chevrons from the coat sleeves and sent them 
to my home, together with the story of my killing. , 

Thi-ee months, during all of ^\4iich time I had been dead to- my 
people, passed by before I succeeded in getiting a letter through tO' my 
home, from Belle Islamd Prison Encampment, in the J'amies River, at 
Richmond, Virginia, informing them of my conditiion and "place of 
abode." 
******** 

As before stated, quite a number of us were captured in the 
fights of Auburn and Bristoe (October 14th) and closely interrogated 
by the Confederate officers as to the number of men we had here, etc. ; 

* * * always winding up with a short talk on the absolute useless- 
ness of continuing the War on the part of the National Govemrnent 
and that the southeni people would never yield but would vsacrifice 
their last dollar and tlie last man to secure their independence. A 
General, whose name I did not learn, rode up and asked me : 

"Are vou not all tired of the War ?" 



368 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

"Yes, sir! We are tired of the War," I answered. "But it 
is on now and we must win to end it." 

He smiled pleasantly and aisked, "How many troops do yon 
tMnk are beyond those hills ?" 

I said, "Our main Army is there, and if you go out there you 
will come back faster than you went." 

Every new arrival of prisoners were similarly questioned. 
Their questions were generally evasively answered. 

The Confederate officers were genteel, clever, chivalric and all 
round good fellows. The rank and file were more given to sectional 
animosity and ready to jangle with us. * * * "W'e got very loud 
during the argument. The Confederate officers drove their men away, 
saying th,at they must take what we say, or stay away from us. Then 
there was peace. 

The Confederate Army had very little to eat. They had captured 
some flour at our abandoned commissaries ; this was distributed at 
night, about half a pound to a man. Confederate soldiers and Union 
prisoners receiving equal shares. 

Next day, half famished, we managed to get small fires of chips, 
grass and dry manure. We mixed up our flour with water, shaped 
the dough into balls and buried them in the hot ashes under the fire ; 
they would not bake; they burned on the ouitide; tiie inside was hot 
dough that would pull out like taffy ; we rubbed off the ashes and dirt 
tliat readily came off and ate the steaming ash and dirt begrimed 
pittance of dough. For two days longer there was no more. 

All night long and every night while we were with the Con- 
federate Army their men seemed to be up and at work, baking flour 
into biscuiltB for next day. They had nothing else. 

Many of their men were barefooted and in rags. I was told that 
some of them had marched from Fredericksburg, Virginia, to Gettys- 
burg, Pennsylvania, and back to Culpeper, over five liundred miles 
barefooted. 

The soles of tlieir feet were black and so tough that they marched, 
over stone, stubble and briars as indifferently and freely as other men 
did with shoes on their feet. I thought were I so destitute, I would 
strip the first dead soldier I met, so that my feet and baok might be 




T. P. MEYER 
Sergeant Company A. 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 369 

covered for it was very cold. At that same time I was comfortable 
in the uniform of a dead soldier myself. 

* * * They said they had not been paid for eighteen months ; 
others had never seen a "pay day" and were penniless. With all this 
destitution they seemed to render sendee dieerfully. * * * This 
was to the highest degree ilhistrative of the true American military 
spirit common throughout the United States and so often manifested 
by the southern soldiers in every War in which our country ever had 
a part * * * 

The prisoners were all gathered into one great squad, just to the 
rear of the Confederate supporting line of battle ; this gathering was 
discovered by a Union battery a mile away, and fifteen or twenty 
twelve-pound Union shells followed each otlier in rapid succession, 
screaming viciously over our heads and passed to our rear. There was 
great excitement among the "Johnnies" for a little while. The fire 
of this battery suddenly ceased and oomparative quiet once more pre- 
vailed. 

A Confederate Major rode up to. me, took off his yellow, hard- 
worn butternut hat, in which crown and rim had "agreed" and hung 
in the same slant. I thought he was wonderfully polite ; he held out 
his hat to me and said, "Here, my boy, take this hat." I took it and 
wondered what next ? "Give me your cap." I gave him my beauti- 
ful, new McClellan cap, which, he put on, saying, "It fits me nicely." 
I put on his yellow hat ; it "drooped" so that I could scarcely see out 
from under. He smiled and said I looked veiry well in it. ; then asked, 
"Are you satisfied ?" "Oh, yes," I said, "I guess it is a fair trade, 
under the circumstances." 

Another mounted Confederate officer, by his side, said to me, 
"Here, lad, let me have thiat canteen." I handed over my canteen'; 
but he paid me a dollar for it. The dollar was Confederate money, 
worth ten cents in greenbacks ; aibout five cents in "sound money." For 
that dollar I bought a wooden canteen from a Confederate soldier. 
This same canteen is to this day one of my war relics. 

All day of October 15, 1863, we were kept with the Confederates 
at the front, under the fire of our own Army, which, however, was 
high and did little damage to us or the Confederates. 



370 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Xext day, October 16tli, they marched us from Bristoe to Beal- 
ton Station, eighteen miles, in heavy rain, through deep mud and 
water. We forded a number of streams from one to three feet deep. 

We were thoroughly soaked and plastered with mud ; tlie night 
turned cold and we had an aA\^ul night in our wet clothes ; unshel- 
tered and no fires, we nearly froze. 

About midnight I determined to try my luck at escape. The 
night was very dark. I lay down close to the beat of one of our 
guards ; when he had passed me I rolled, log fashion, quietly over his 
beat ; then I arose and walked slowly away. I was nervous and lis- 
tened amid some suspense for his ''halt" or the report of his gun. If 
the latter came first, I mused, how and where will his bullet strike 
me? And to wdiat extent will I be injui*ed ? I walked slowly on. 
None of the guards had seen me and I struck out for a strip of woods 
half a mile away. I walked with and passed through squads of Con- 
federate soldiers, passing as one of them in the darkness. They spoke 
to me. I had planned to hide in the woods and await the passing of 
the Confederate Army, but in looking for a hiding place I was dis- 
covered and returned to the guard without punishment or reprimand. 
It was not considered a crime to attempt escape. But shooting fol- 
lowed a refusal to halt when detected. There were, however, vicious 
men among them who would shoot an escaping prisoner without ''halt- 
ing" him. I fully understood this. 

The battle of Bristoe was ended and the Confederates were de- 
feated. * * * Our squad of prisoners, about a thousand in num- 
ber, reached the Rappahannock in the evening and lay there all night. 
Sunday, October 18th, was quite a lively day. The Union Anny 
pressed the Confederate Army hard at all points, crowding them to 
the river, which was high, and impassable. They built a temporary 
bridge on the piers of the burned railroad bridge, a hastily built^ 
rickety structure. 

General Lee with his staff, rode up. He dismounted and closely 
watched the building of the bridge, now and then offering sug- 
gestions. He w^as a fine looking man, of dignified and commianding 
presence. * * * 







'1 p.' 


' ir<^w*"'^*'^VHHHH 




IiWI".lii./-')>g!^^M 



Castle Thunder." Confederate Prison. Richmond. Va. Capacity. 
2.000. used chiefly for Union prisoners in transit 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 371 

The bridge linished, we crossed the Rappahannock in the after- 
noon and were marched to Gulpeper, twelve miles, where we arrived 
at S :00 p. M. and some time later were given three crackers for supper. 

We were quartered in the Presbyterian Church on Main Street, 
from which the seats bad been removed. * * * Monda-y, October 
19th, dawned clear and beautiful yet cold. The day was delightful, 
and was spent in the church and the adjoining grave yard. This 
moniing we received three crackers and a little bacon for our day's 
ration. This we ate in two minutes, and were more hungry than 
before. 

During the forenoon of the 20th we were searched, more for 
concealed weapon than for valuables. There was very little taken 
from the men beside pistols and daggers. ISTo clothing or blankets, 
notwithstanding the old story to the contrary. In the afternoon we 
were marched out of the church, through the town and along the 
wagon road to the Rapidan River, which we crossed by a rickety 
trestle military bridge, after night, reached Orange Court House, 
eighteen miles from Culpeper, about midnight. Here we were put 
on a freight train for Richmond. 

At Bealton I met a sick Union soldier, among tlie prisoners, 
whose name I never learned. He said he was dying for a drink of 
water. I gave him my canteen containing a quart of water. He 
drank it all ; he was burning with fever. I kept him supplied with 
water which, under the circumstances, was hard to get. There was 
no chance for a doctor or medicine for him. 

I led him on the march to Culpeper, I waited on him in our 
church prison ; he was very sick but kept his feet. His face, hands 
and feet were greatly swollen. When we left Culpeper, afternoon 
of the 20th, he came with us. A mile out of town we halted for a 
little while ; there was commotion behind the end of a stone fence. 
Some one yelled "fight." I was near and rushed in to see what^ the 
fracas meant. A soldier was lying on the ground in convulsions. It 
was my sick companion ; in a few minutes more he lay quiet. Life 
had gone out. 

I straightened the body of the poor boy and covered his face 
with his cap. * * * Jje ^^g^e. left lay where he died. * * * 



372 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

This was the first deatih. in our squad of prisoners. But we soon fur- 
nished victims rapidly. 

We had a slow and tiresome trip on the train from Orange 
Court House to Richmond, by way of Gordonville and Louisa Court 
House. We reached Richmond late in the afternoon and were 
marched through the city to Libby Prison where we lodged. 
Many of the people gave us frowning glances as we marched by them ; 
and it was easily seen that we had few friends here. 

"Libby" was a very large, four-story, plain and quaint old brick 
building. * * * It was formerly used as a ship chandler's estab- 
lishment and tobacco factory and ware-house, many of the machines 
and presses still remaining in the rear basement rooms. The sign of 



LIBBY & SON^ 
SHIP CHANDLEKS. 



still swung and creaked on the corner of the building, on Carey and 
Twentieth Streets. 

"Libby" was guarded by a regiment called the "Richmond 
Grays," a stylish regiment, made up of clerks and young business 
men of the city, who would stand guard arounid Libby Prison two 
hours, then spend four hours in their business places, then back to 
guard duty two hours, and so on. In this way attending to business 
and doing the work of a soldier beside. They were fine looking fel- 
lows, beautifully uniformed in gray and wore scarlet caps of the 
McClellan pattern. 

We entered Libby October 21st, when we received a fair ration 
of wheat bread and boiled beef, nothing more. We had been prisoners 
just one week, during which we ate three times. It was long 
between meals and tlie meals were light. I will be explicit here. On 
OctobcT 15th we had nothing and marched four miles. On the morn- 
ing of the 16th we had half a pound of real dough each and then 
marched eighteen miles in heavy rain and deep mud. We were hol- 
low as a blacksmith's bellows and tired easily. But the worst was yet 
to come. Neoct day, the 1 7th, we had nothing to eat and marched twelve 
miles, while the day following, Sunday, October 18th, we had nothing 




LIBBY PRISON, Richmond. Va. 

Capacity, five thousand. A permanent prison for Commissioned Officers, 
having generally from 1.500 to 2,000 in it. Libby Prison was also extensively 
used for non-commissioned officers and men in transit. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANU VOLUNTEERS ■67'6 

to eat and marched twelve miles more. Noiw we were hungry for a 
fact, and "had a pain," We no longer marched with the youthful 
spring of our boyish legs. We tottered and staggered and fell down 
frequently; some stayed down and I never heard what beoaime of 
those. At eight o'clock in the evening of this day we reached the 
Church Prison in Culpeper and at ten we received three Union 
Army crackers each; how good these "hard tack" tasted. On the 
morning of the 19th they gave us three crackers and a little bacon. 
No more th,at day, while on the 20th we had nothing and marched 
eighteen miles ; on the 21st we had nothing and were on the freight 
train eighteen hours. 

To sum up: From the 15th to the 21st of OctobeT (1863) seven 
days, each of us had half a pound of flour and six crackers to eat, and 
during which time we marched sixty-four miles. 

The "Johnnies" were too poor to feed us. They had no "grub" 
for themselves. Their supply trains at this time were nothing more 
than long lines of empty wagons and bony horses. 

We remained in Libby a few days, during which time we were 
very unruly, and often 'amused ourselves in dropping lousy shirts 
and brickbats on the stylish guards ibelow. We never blamed them 
for shooting at us through the windows when we hit them with brick- 
bats. And we grinned when we read in northern papers about the 
"inhuman custom" of the Confederate guards of shooting at the 
Union prisoners, through the windows of Libby Prison. They knew 
not: the provocation. 

Five hundred of us were transferred to "Castle Thunder," a 
large three-story brick building on Cartey Sti"«et. 

In the forenoon of October 24th, about five hundred, with my- 
self, were marched across the James River, over the Danville Rail- 
road bridge to Manchester, thence up along the river, crossing a 
bridge of the Tredegar Iron Works to Belle Island Prison Encamp- 
ment. 

This was a cold, dreary and rainy day, and our transfer frOrn a 
fireless, stoveless, cold and dreary building to a shelterless camp out 
doors, in the rain on a wet island in the James River, was a change 
still greatly for the worse. 



374 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Belle Island is a large Island, in tlie James River between Rich- 
mond on tlie nortli, and Manchester on tlie south and was a noted 
prison pen during the entire War. 

In peace times, during the summer, a delightful spot. 

The prison camp, about four acres in area, was a miserable 
place. Much rain of late, and tlie tramp of many feet, had produced 
a slush.- mud in the streets of the camp, several inches deep with filth 
and dirt, and stench, and human offal everywhere. Our five hundred 
men were not given a single tent^, or shelter of any kind. They had 
none to give us. We were simply ushered into the Prison Pen, to 
become a part of tiie four thousand already tbere. When we entered 
the gate of this pen my war spirit nearly died out. 

Here we found hundreds of men absolutely without shelter, and 
all without fuel. Rain-soaked to the skin ; without overcoats or 
blaukets of any kind. Gray, ashy, pallid complexions. Thin, skinny 
woe-begone shadows of slowly moving, erstwhile rugged men and 
boys, standing alone here and there in idiotic-like silence, or in 
groups, in the deep mud, and the cold, downpouring winter rain. 

Hundreds of otliers, emaciated, cadaverous-looking men and 
boys, splashing hither and tiiitheir tlirough mud, covered all over with 
mud and dirt, filth and lice; while here and there in filth and rags, 
lone soldiers were standing like statues, grim and silent, in a state 
of dementia, staring Avildly on tliose la round them, then talking loudly, 
incoherently, to themselves, bemoianing their condiftion, none of 
them paying the slightest attention to the other prisoners around 
them. 

Here were talented, cultured, highly educated men of every call- 
ing, pi-ofession and trade in life. Hero were the college professors 
and their students, ministers and their laymen ; doctors and their 
former patients ; teachers and pupils, down on a common lea^el of 
degradation and filth, and manner of life. 

I thought, alas ! Already I have reached a point in life from 
w^hich I can easily sec the end, I have ix^aehed the goal. Here I 
stay ; and I wondered not, when my comrade asked me, "Is this an 
annex of a civilized war, or, arc we in hell V "A chilly hell," I 
said. This comrade's name was Brooks; he was a highly educated, 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 375 

pious, rugged young man, a tlieological student. But, like manv 
others, lie was unable to face tlie conditions here. He let go of hope 
and courage, and was tortured with an insatiable longing for home 
and friends. He was broken in spirit, and could not be cheered up. 
He did not sleep or eat or rest. He was not sick ; he simply gave up, 
broke down and died at the end of tlie first week. Hundreds, in the 
same way, gave up and died of despondency alone. Those who' bore 
up with brave hearts and strong will, came out best. 

Personally, I was still in fair condition. I still had my knap- 
sack, with all its varied contents on my back. On my shoulder hung 
my empty haversack, and canteen half full of water. Here, at least, 
I was "presentable," in a fine, new uniform. My head was well cov- 
ered with the hat the rebel Major "traded to me." This hat was 
always in place. A night cap when I slept, and a "dress bonnet" 
when I went out. On my arm hung a splendid new United States 
army blanket, which was my salvation. 

After standing with these wretched comrades in misery, in mud 
and rain, for hours, I woke up as from a dream. ISTight was coming 
on, and the cold rain was still falling. I resolved that I would waste 
no time in brooding. If I must die here, which I realized was prob- 
able, I would die "game." I would "die in action," and not of de- 
spondency. iSTothing was to appall me ; I turned at once, and walked 
rapidly down a muddy camp street, by and through packs of half 
drowned, and mud plastered, lousy soldiers, whiskered men, and 
young boys, like myself. 

I carnie to a fair semblance of a tent and went in ; it was full of 
bony, ash colored, fleshless men, from N'ew Jersey, Maryland, Penn- 
sylvania and Illinois. I was surprised to find them in fairly good 
spirits. I said: 

"I am a new arrival, and am looking for a home. I have a good 
blanket here, which will co\'er three. I will share it with you as far 
as it will reach, if you will make me one of yoixr mess." 

The proposition was accepted, and I had a home. I was blessed 
above hundreds in that camp. 

Nig^ht set in very dark, rainy and cold. There was no light in 
all that camp ; so arrangements for the night were made before night 



576 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

had fully set in. Just as darkness was settling down upon the cainp, 
I looked down the street, and saw hundreds of men sitting, alone and 
in groups, on the wet ground. When they could stand up no longer, 
they would sit, or lie down anywhere, regardless of mud or weather. 
Many were lying down in the streets of the camp, very close, in rows, 
"spoon fashion," from three to twenty in a row, in their rain soaked 
clothes, without anything under or over them, and the night blowing 
up cold. 

For ihe night, 1 was snugly "spooned up" with two other boys, 
Austin Skinner, of Iloboken, New Jersey, and Jacob Adams, Smith- 
burg, Maryland, the latter still living (1904). I did not get cold, but 
I could not rid my mind of the horrors I had already seen here, nor 
the thought of the probable fate awaiting me. Sleep did not oome 
to me that night. 

The sounds of this camp were as horrible as the sights. Within 
the radius of my hearing, tiliere must have been a thousand men 
coughing, without a moment's let up, all night. All nights were 
alike in this respect. All suffered by reason of coughs and oolds, and 
many strangled to death in fits of coughing. 

During tlie oold weather pneumonia was a common 'ailment and 
a general cause of death. 

The prison encampment of Belle Isle was square in form and 
made like a fort ; a ditch eight feet wide, and three feet deep inside 
of the works, the ground dug from the ditch formed a fort-like 
embankment on the outer edge of the ditch, while the inner edge of 
the ditch was called the "dead line" and any prisoner getlting into the 
ditch was over the "dead line," and the guards had the right and 
orders to sihoot such soldier, without hail or notice. 

Belle Island was in many ways the worst and most wretched 
prison encampment in the Confederacy. It was located by hundreds 
of miles farthest north of all, and consequently, was the coldest of all. 
It was the only prison encampment in the South where there were no 
rations of wood issued, and consequently, there were no fires all win- 
ter, even though in the coldest latitude. Hence the greatest suffering 
by reason of weather conditions. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 377 

It was sitiiaited on a low, sandy island, in a great river, water 
only a few feet below the surface, rapids on each side, the only prison 
encampment so situated, and therefore, was the damipest of all. 

It was the nearest to the great Union Armies, and therefore suf- 
fered most by reason of the great raids made by the Union Cavalry 
around the Confederate capitol, frequently breaking railroad commun- 
ications, between the country and Richmond, destroying the tracks, 
and burning depots of supplies, and train after train of cars loaded 
with grain and provisions for Richmond and her twelve thousand 
Union prisoneits. * * * 

Therefore the prisoners at Richmond also suffered most on ac- 
count of short rations. In this respect the people and prisoners 
suffered alike. 

N^o stream of running water flowed through Belle Island Prison 
Encampment like at Andersonville and other prison encampanents 
further south, and we drank the foulest water of all, as will later 
appear in this narrative. All that makes life miserable here 
abounded. 

There was no roll call. The prisoners were counted into 
^'squads" of one hundred and the squads were numbered l&t, 2d, 
and so on. * * ^ 

Now and then we were all driven out of camp and counted, like 
cattle. It was a big day's work to make one of these counts. 

There was no tabernacle or place of worship and I never saw a 
Chaplain or Minister on the Island. I did not hear one word in 
prayer during the half year of my stay there ; blasphemy and pro- 
fanity were heard constantly, all day long, and brutal fights which 
sometimes developed into "free for all" battles, in which several hun- 
dred would engage, were of frequent occurrence, wherein many were 
seriously hurt and on two occasions several were killed. 

Murders were now and then comniitted and went unpunished 
though the murderers were known. Informers on high crimes were 
fortunate if they escaped the dark night assassin. It was a good plan 
to be silent on these nuatters and keep in the background. Later, 
however, by organization of a system of police a semblance of govern- 
ment was established and robbery and murder rarely occurred. 



378 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

The prison camp was so small for the number of men confined 
therein, that tlie streets, on a fine day, were so crowded that it was 
almost impossible to get through. And a motley crowd of long 
whiskered, long haired men and smooth faced boys they were, indeed. 

In filthy rags, unshorn, unkempt, un&ha.ved and imwashed ; 
vei'v many dressed in the gTay rags of some Confederate soldier, ob- 
tained tlirough a trade, not corapulsory, but voluntarily on warm 
days, for the "boot" there was in it. 

Some sold the caps off their heads and the shoes off their feet and 
made substitutes for caps and shoes by patching rags together of any 
color and kind and the effect can l>e easily imagined. Civilization, 
self respect and personal pride had evidently died out in many. 

The nature of the men seemed changed. Cruelty seemed a pre- 
dominating characteristic and over tJie merest trifles brutal fights 
would take place 

This was an indescribably miserable and wretched place. Valley 

Porge and the Jersey Prison Ship were habitations of comfort and 

pleasure coompared with the ooniditions of life on Belle^ Island. 
******** 

The commander of the Prison Encampment or "Post" was Lieu- 
tenant Boisseau, who, by the way, was a renegade from the United 
States Pegular Army. He was stern but fair with us. He aided 
every effort put forth, among us to establish order and suppress rob- 
bery, riot and murder in camip. 

The encampment was regiilarly laid out in streets and had a great 
many tents but not near enough ; most of them had seen their best 
days and leaked badly. Our tent leaked so badly that when it rained 
hard wo would roll up our blankets and sit on them to keep them dry. 
while others would stroke the tent with the hands and thus lead the 
water down the inside of the canvas. 

On rainy nights we would, for this purpose, be up all night, and 
on cold days, when tliero was no rain, we would lie under our blanker.5 
all day, sitting u]> only long enough to eat, which was not a lengthy 
jo-b. 

We never lind any wood, hence no fires at any time. To keep 
from freezing we would lie in "spoon-fashion," closed u]> very tight; 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 579 

the shoes off and the feet packed together as tightly as possible, with 
the blankets tucked under us all round, head and all under the 
covers. So we breatlied and rebreathed the air under the blankets 
every night and every cold day all that cold winter. 

None of us had a gai-ment washed during the whole of that win- 
ter. We possibly averaged washing our hands and faces once a week. 
We considered ourselves fortunate when, we had water enough to 
drink. We had no buckets and few canteens; we got our water at 
the river, six or eight rods from the camp and were allowed to go 
after it only during the day. An alley, about twenty feet wide, with 
a tight, board fence, eight feet high, on each side, led from the rear 
gate to the river. Close to the right of the foot of this alley was the 
hospital sink and to the left a few rods away was the general and 
only sink for the prison camip of from four thousand to eight thou- 
sand men. Both sinks extending a. few feet over the bank ; and be- 
tween these "business places" in the eddy we got our drinking water. 
So we drank the fonlest water of any prison camp in the southern 
Confederacy. 

Only a limited number could go to the sink, or for water at the 

same time, the saine alley led tO' both ; about one hundred could be 

on the way going and coming at a time- Therefore, water was alway?; 

very scarce in camp. We were' dry many times, and wanted a drink, 

when there was no water, and we continued to be dry till Ave forgot 

about it. 
******** 

On the matter of rations, there is not much to be said. They 
gave us what they had to eat themselves ; that was com' bread only, 
and equaled in quantity the rations of tiieir soldiers, who were guards 
over us. We bought many a Confederate soldier's ration, from on? 
giuard, and they fasted for the little money we paid them. One day 
I traded a day's ration from one of the guards, for a fine comb ; he 
said he had great need of the comb and had no monej' to buy it. That 
he would give me all his grub for two days for i't. I said, "No, 
'Johnny,' give me your today's grub and take the comb," which lie 
did. A fine comb at that time was worth about four dollars in Con- 
federate monev. 



580 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

They gave us good wheat bread, beef and soup, till Xovember 
9th, and after that it was corn bread only, baked by prisoners on de- 
tail in a bake-house outside of camp. These corn loaves w^ere about 
the size of a brick and weighed a little less. Rations were issued 
daily at 9 :00 a. u. and 3 :00 p. m. excep'ting when the Union raiders 
destroyed the railroads and the incoming supply trains. Then thanks 
to our cavali*}' there was nothing for a day or two. 

In order to facilitate the issuing of rations, and the movements 
of the men, the prisoners were divided into ''squads" of one hundred 
men, in charge of a Sergeant. These squads were again subdivided 
into five "messes," of twenty men each, also in charge of a non- 
commissioned officer. These officers were appointed by the post com- 
mander. 

When rations were issued, so many pounds were weig'hed out at 
the bake house, for a squad, and brought in, in a blanket, 
carried by the four corners, by the squad commander and his 
detail. A blanket was then laid down, and this quantity was 
divided into five equal shares, for the messes, which were 
numbered from one to five, in the presence of the mess com- 
manders, in all about eight men. This process of division was ahvays 
watched with great interest by a surrounding pack of half starved, 
mouth-watering, miserable devils, who stood ready to fight, should 
there be the least sign of "shenanigan." 

When all were satisfied that the five shares were exactly equal, 
one of the men would turn his back to make the distribution. The 
Sergeant would point to one of the heaps and ask, "Who gets this ?" 
The soldier facing the other way would answer promiscuously, by 
number, till all were taken. 

Then the mess sergeants w^ould bring their portion to the mess, 
where a blaoiiket (always lousy, of course) would be spread out, 
ami the suppiv would be divided into twenty equal shares, "\\nien 
all were "satisfied that the twenty shares were exactly alike, one 
of the mess would turn his back and call out each man's share by 
numl>er, as it was pointed out behind him. 

While the rations were "short" they were sufficient to support 
life, and while we were always hungry, no soldier starved to death 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 381 

in rebel prisons. But many died for want of suitable food. A 
northern man raised on variety and wheat bread, will not flourish 
on corn alcne; while a southern man will. History tells us that 
''General Washington rose early, ate his breakfast of oorn-cake, 
honey, and tea., etc.," and was fat. 

The beating- of the drum announcing meal time, was always 
greeted b}' l^he hungry prisoners with the wildest demonstrations of 
joy. They would cheer and yell ; clap their hands, run through the 
Streets, just like children overjoyed at the prospect of even so plain 
a. meal as was common here. In the same dirty, lousy blankets, 
under which we slept, were carried out our sick, and brought in 
our corn bread, which was also shared out on them. 

The Confederate Government, as early as 1863 was in most 
desperate straits at home. The common and poor people of Rich- 
mond had loss to eat than we had. Bread riots during the fall and 
winter of 1863 were of frequent occurrence, and matters later on 
must have been much worse. 

The Union cavalry, in great force, frequently circled Kich- 
mond, destroying railroads and train loads of supplies, so that for 
weeks at a time no supplies worth counting would come in. * * * 

The poor of Richmond were suffering for want of bread, and 
supplies for the prisoners had to be sent through the streets under 
a strong guard, to prevent the poor hungry men, women and chil- 
dren from seizing them. 

The condition of affairs here, becoming known to the National 
Government., a large amount of U. S. army crackers was sent here 
for the Union priisoners, and were issued to us by the Confederates, 
at the rate of three crackers a day, in addition to our regular ad- 
lowance of corn bread, and tliey never tasted better. The U. S. 
army cracker is one of the very besit crackers, for a "bread cracker," 
ever made. 

So far as furnishing wood to the prisoners was concerned, it 
must be admitted that it was impossible for the Confederate authori- 
ties to supply the twelve thousand prisoners in and about Richmond 
with the wood required to keep fires going. Wood, in cities is a 
costly item ; one hundred cords a day would not have sufficed. Wood 



582 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

was worth fifty to seventy-five dollars a cord. My chum and I once 
bought two sticks of dry, pine cordwood for two dollars and a half. 

One day a team, with a detail of prisoners, and a guard, were 
sent out to some timber for a load of Avood for the bake house, but, 
as soon as they got into^ the woods the prisoners ran away ; the 
guard shot off his gun; nobody was hurt, the wagon came back 
e^mpty, but the choppers had fled. 

When we first reached the Island it was said that the Confed- 
erates were not allowed to accept greenbacks, our l^ational money. 
But they were glad to get it. Confederates came in with immense 
amounts for sale. They would go through the camp and shout, "Who 
has greenbacks for sale? Ten dollars Confederate for one dollar 
greenback." Large amounts changed hands on this basis. 

Our bed, and this was much compared with most of them, 
consisted of three blankets and an oil cloth. First, the oil cloth 
was spread on tJie ground ; on this was spread a blanket. This was 
a bed for three of us, and two blankets covered us, "over head and 
ears," as before described, all winter. 

"Spooned" tightly together, we always lay on our sides; thei"e 
could be no change for rest. Lying on the hard ground, corns, often 
the size of a half dollar, would form on hips, shoulders, knees and 
ankles, and be excessively sore. When one could not possibly stand 
it any longer on the "down side" on account of the pain in these 
bed sores, he would say "over!" All three would immediately begin 
to wabble and turn till the spoon arrangement would be reversed. In 
the morning of very cold nights, there would be a spikey frost half an 
inch thick on our upper blanket, caused by the escaping moisture (if 
our breaths from underneath; this we would thrash off as much 
as we could ; if allowed to thaw thereon the blanket would be quite 
wet. 

The winter was a severe one. The deepest snow we had was 
five inches, and lasted a week, during w^hich we had zero 
weather. We had many lighter snow^s, much cold rain, and many 
great, sudden changes. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 385 

The thickest ice was about six inclies. Many prisoners froze 
to death, mostly, or wholly, by reason of their own improvidence. 
When the weather was mild, as it often was, they sold blankets, 
overcoats, and other clothing to the Confederate guards, and when 
cold snaps came, they suffered and froze. The ISTational Govern- 
ment apprised of the condition of the prisoners here, sent a great 
supply of clothing by the "flag of truce boat" route, up the James 
lUver. 

It reached Belle Island iS^ovember 5th, and was fairly distrib- 
uted by the Confederate officers here to the most destitute of the 
prisoners and charged up to them on their U. S. clothing account. 
Many of the prisoners gave fictitious names and regiments, to escape 
the payment of this uniform clothing. 

The distribution continued several days, and was well done. 
The selling of the clothing to the Confederates now became a great 
busineisQ and it wias not long till nearly all of the Confederate guards 
were partly, or wholly, in new blue uniforms, with new Union 
overcoats on their backs, and the erstwhile ragged Union prisoners, 
were as ragged as before, shivering in the cold. 

On December 12, 1863, and January 18, 1864, further ship- 
ments of uniform clothing from Washington reached our Island 
Prison Encampment, and fairly issued to the "destitute prisoners." 
But, no sooner were these issues made than the same men who 
sold their clothing before sold it again, and were just as ragged 
as before. Many traded their entire uniforms of all wool, heavy 
goods, for an entire gray, ragged and filthy Confederate suit of 
variegated colors, and a trifling amount in Confederate "boot" 
money. There was no reason for being barefooted or desperately 
ragged, and all such were themselves to blame ; they bartered away 
their clothing and shoes and went into rags voluntarily. 

The uniforms issued by the National Government to its soldiers, 
were made of the best, heavy, all wool cloth, of the most durable 
character, and should have lasted a prisoner several years without 
becoming "desperately ragged." 

As l>efore intimated, we were dirty and lousy; there was no 
escape. The seams of our uniforms were white crusted streaks of 



384 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

nits and "creepers ;" there was no rest day or night. Every mild 
day hundreds of the prisoners could be seen sitting on the ground 
throughout the camp, in the sun, bare backed, for hours, with their 
shirts turned inside out, and spread on their knees, killing the 
pestiferous "graybacks" between the thumb nails. This was such 
a ooimmon 'and general Oiocupation tiliat the prisoners so engaged did 
not attract the least attention of other prisoners standing around 
or passing by. 

Whew! We can feel them yet, as they trooped across our 
breasts and up and do^vn our backs and legs, when we wanted to 
sleep. 

Among the Union prisoners captured by the Confederates 
during the Bristoe campaign, were a great many of the recruits who 
had joined the Army shortly before the campaign opened; men 
who took big bounties and never intended to do any service. 

In Xew York City bounties ranging from one thousand to 
fifteen hundred dollars were paid for a three years' recruit at this 
time. This brought in a lot of depraved New York City toughs. 
Among tliem were a banded gang of Irish villains, who halted 
mot ait any crime ; they ^\^ire cruel, heartless, stout and powerful men. 

They soon had followers and became a powerful and greatly 
feared gang of bold desperadoes, whose ill will we had abundant 
reason to fear. They started their robberies at Orange Court House, 
where we boarded the train for Richmond. 

It was my misfortune to be shut in with them in the same 
freight car. They would light a candle, then locate a soldier who 
they thought had money, pack around him then put out the light; 
at ihat instant one of them would throw his arm around the victim's 
nock from behind and choke him, while the rest would rifle his 
pockets. If, on being released he said a word, he would be knocked 
down, and unmercifully kicked. In Libby they practiced the same 
system of robber}\ On the second night of our stay in Libby 
Prison, at midnight, in a raid by this gang on several prisoners, a 
general fight broke out, in which about four hundred men took a 
hand. Friends and comrades choked and knocked each other down 
in ihe deep darkness. It was the worst row in which I ever took 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 385 

a hand, ;md it only ended when about forty Confederate guards, • 
witih fixed bayonets rushed in, giiided by a dozen, laniterns held high 
on bayonets, shouting, "order ! order !" Meanwhile clubbing and 
prodding the fighters with bayonets, as they charged through the 
center of the room. During this row, probably half a hundred were 
more or less seriously hurt, and a sick man was trampled to death. 

On reaching Belle Island Prison Encamp'ment, they went 
into la, Sibley tent., one of tlie best, in oamp, O'ccupied by a 
number of frail, emaciated prisoners whom they threw out, but 
kept their blankets and other effects. From this high handed out- 
rage and robbery, tliere was no appeal and it stood — unpunished. 

They would "snatch" raitionis and blankets from otlier prisoners j 
if they remonstrated they were knocked down with the clubs they 
always carried. 

For a long time they had everything their o^vn way. They 
openly committed heinous crimes with impimity, 'and tbey flourished. 
I witnessed a number of their robberies, in one of which they 
murdered a soldier. Many of the prisoners besides me saw it; but 
all kept quiet about it. There was absolutely no protection for am. 
informer; to inform on them, at this time, would have been suicide. 
Here there was no law to appeal to for protection, or the punish- 
ment of crime, no matter how heinous. Here we were entirely 
cut off from the rest of the world. We were under no government, 
and no law. What happened here must be settled here, or remain 
unsettled. 

For two years lawlessness and high crimes ran riot, unchecked 
in this camp, and life and personal effects had no safeguards. Ra- 
tions and clothing were snatched out of your hands by these villains, 
and he who resented, went down with a rap on the head with a 
"billy," or "blackjack," whether to rise up again was always a ques- 
tion. 

But tihe day of retribution finally oame; lawlessness and crime 
must end. Under the auspices and encouragement of the post com- 
mander. Lieutenant Boisseau, two police companies were ■ organized ; 
one under the name of "Camp Regulators," the other named "Safety 
Guards," and all known by the general name of "Belle Island 



386 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Police." They were given unlimited authority to keen order, and 
to punish criminals in their own way. 

Any alarm, day or nig'ht, was quickly responded to, and the 
shout of "catch him," was taken up by the whole oamp ; all were 
instantly on the watch, and the; criminal wo'uld always be oa.ught. 
Punishment immediately followed, and consisted of the most brutal 
clubbing and kicking. I witnessed a number of these, and I could 
not imagine how a human being could live under such awful blows 
and kicks; the victims shouting and begging for life and mercy; 
when they were overhauled they were instantly knocked down, and 
as they tried to get up, four or five fearful kicks, by as many men, 
in sides, stomach and back, would lay them out again. Whether the 
victims punished in this way outlived their injuries, I never learned. 

On the west side of camp were located about five hundred 
(Union) prisoners of the 1st Kentucky, and 2d Tennessee Regi- 
ments, who were organized for mutual self-protection, and always 
rallied to defend each other. 

One afternoon these "Irish raiders" and their followers went 
over to snatch blankets among the Tennesseeans. On the "snatch- 
ing" of the first blanket, the alarm was given. The men of Ken- 
tacky and Tennessee and the police tiurned out; a fearful row 
ensued. The battle was for the exterrainiation of the raiders. A 
great majority was on my side now, and it was safe to speak out. 
So I joined in the general shout of kill them! kill them! while I 
was crowding out and elbowing my way to the front to help it along. 
The row was immense, and lasted probably an hour, during which 
time intense excitement prevailed among the Confederates, who fullv 
manned the three batteries ciommanding the caanp ; and stood by their 
"double canistered" guns, awaiting a possible "break out," from 
the excited camr). There was no strike for freedom; but the 
"raiders" were wiped out. I saw the leaders killed ; "Pete" and 
"Tar" (we never heard their real names), went down; while "Jack," 
the "Monster," foil by a dagger stab in the spine, between the 
shoulders ; the point of the dagger broke off and remained ; his whole 
body was instantly paralyzed. He was now an abject oowiard, and in 
tears besrced for his life. He died a few davs later. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 587 

"Big Mike," a giant in size and strength, and the main stay of 
the band, broke throngh the crowd, and ran, with nearly all tlie clothes 
torn otf his back ; he was pursued ; but some of the prisoners at 
the souith end pitied, and hid him, till the exoiteanfeint died out. 

In this great row there were about three thousand men engaged, 
either actively or passively, packed in a swaying, shouting crowd ; 
the leaders were killed, and probably a hundred injured. I did not 
get quite to the ''front," where the business was really done; but 
was told in the evening that the leaders of the raiders had all "gone 
over to their reward." "Big Mike," however, escaped. I met him 
on the flag of truce boat "City of New York," at City Point, the 
following spring. He told me that he was the only one of the 
leaders that was left alive. 

After the extermination of these raiders, and by the vigilance 
f.f the police, outlawry and robbery ceased. 

There were quite a number of books and magazines in camp, 
and they constituted a real "circulating library." In order to 
become a mc'mber of this "reading circle" it was only necessary 
to own a book or magazine. After having read it, you would take it, 
walk through the camp and call out, "Who has a book to exchange ?" 
till, "here" was heard, and a trade was made, and each had new 
readijig for a few days. In these exchanges, books worth three or 
four dollars were often exchanged for a twenty-five cent magazine, 
back and forth, to be traded again to others regardless of the value of 
either book, so you got one you had not read before. 

In reading these circulating books, many a gloomy and miser- 
able day was bridged over. 

I had formed some pleasant acquaintances among some western 
boys, camped on the north side. One evening after dusk I went 
over to exchange books with them, ; I found their tents empty ; they 
lad been moved away. In one of their tents I found a dead soldier 
and not an earthlv thing beside; he had been deserted by his com- 
rades, while sick, and left to die alone. His death struggles were 
evidently long ^and tennble. His moiith and botli his hands were 
full of ground, held fast in a death grip. 



388 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

He lay partly on kis side, and had kicked and dug a great 
liole in the ground with his feet. I left him as I found him. He 
was one "unknown," and I thought it was a blessing that his people 
would never know what a sad end came to him, unattended and 
alone in winter, in that cheerless tent, on the bare ground. By 
reason of filth, unsanitary conditions of the camp, and exposure 
to all conditions of inclement weather, many without shelter, and all 
without fuel, caused the men to sicken and die in great numbers ; 
the sick were carried out to the hospital every morning; yet many 
who were not supposed to be sick enough to go to- the hospital, died 
in camp. Some dying in fits of coughing; others would drop down 
and die; while many others simply died while they slept. That is 
they fell asleep never to wake again. * * * 

It was impossible to keep a record of the number of deaths in 
camp ; the only way to get the number was to watch the gate all the 
time and count the number carried out. 

On the morning of iNovember 13th I went down to the gate and 
saw thirteen dead soldiers carried out, to be buried by the usual 
miorning detail of prisoners from camp. The greatest number of 
these were picked up from the streets of camp, having died or 
frozen during the night. With shelter, suitable food, and medical 
attendiance, all of these might possibly have been saved. 

I watched with initerestt this fun'eral procession as it moved 
out. Half a hundred emaciated, tottering, ragged soldiers, moving 
in an irregular and scattered procession, they carried the dead, 
curled up in unrecognizable bundles, in blankets, by the four oomers. 
With an indifference becoming savages, tliey carried out and buried 
the dead, without ceremony of any kind, as you would bui'y a beast. 

Most of our dead went by way of the hospital. On Tuesday 
October 27, 1863, we were "counted." We were all marched out 
of the prison encampment, into an adjoining field, and counted at 
the gates as we passed back into camp. We had a "population" of 
four thousand eight hundred by this day's count. 

We were generally counted in this way about once a month. 
•Beginning early in the morning, it would rim all day, and end in tht 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 389 

early part of the nigiit, witli no time for rations. A special count 
made about JSTovember 1st, showed that there were then over six thou- 
sand, three hundred prisoners in the camp. 

On jSToveinber 29th a count was made in the usual way, which 
showed that there were five thousand, one hundred and sixteen 
prisoners. Allowing that one thousand prisoners were brought in 
during that time, an estimate much too low, there were carried out 
of camp, two thousand one hundred and eighty -four sick and dead, 
thirty per cent of the whole number, or approximately, or.e out 
of every three, in four weeks. Only a small percentage of the sick 
carried out ever returned. About the middle of the winter, when 
aje Union Army had settled down in winter quarters, and raiding 
hiid ceased, conditions here were greatly improved. Our rations 
were increased. The hospital service was much improved and 
extended, but the tents were still cheerless and fireless places of 
suffering and deatli. 

Our old guards were relieved by a regiment of North Carolina 
soldiers ; good, and kindly disposed fellows, over half of them, firmly 
Union men at heart. They told us tliat as soon as the Union Army 
came near enough to give them protection they would throw down 
their guns and surrender. 

Many of the resourceful prisoners had devised schemes to 
escape. The plans advanced and discussed were varied, and often 
absurd. For a long time the plan of tunnelling was considered the 
most feasible of all. Several tunnels were dug, but they were fail- 
ures. 

A finely educated, active, rather impulsive young soldier by 
the name of Rickets, a Marylander, was wild over a plan by which 
he claimed a limited number could get away. A number of us 
joined him. He said he bad the good will of several of the guards, 
who would let a few prisoners pass out for a price. The matter was 
discussed ; some did not believe in the plan, but we were so anxious 
to get away that we concluded to risk it. Rickets argued that we 
might as well be shot as to die by degrees; he did not believe they 
could hit us anyway, on a dark night. The day set was a dark, 
rainy, gloomy one; there being no moon, the night would be a 



390 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

good on© to carry out our plan. During the early part of tlie 
evening, Rickets and one companion went out to find the guard ; 
they soon returned and reported that all was arranged and that 
they had paid the guard eighty dollars to pass a small number, and 
give the ''oountersigii" at a fixeid hour late in the night. The hour 
cam© and w© were on hand ; some of the company began to^ doubt-. Our 
guard however was there. Rickets hailed him and everything 
seemed favorable ; one after the other passed over the embankment ; 
the third was on top of the parapet when a volley was fired into 
the company by a squad of Confederates just coming up, and 
Rickets and the second man fell, wounded ; the rest of us ran. It 
was nmiored next day that Rickets had been killed and tilie sooond 
man mjortally wounded. We never saw them, or heard of tihean 
afterwards. 

Some time after this another attempt at ©scape was made, 
and partly succeeded. On a very dark and stormy night a number 
crept past the guard in the darkness and tried to ford and swim from 
rock to rock, through the rapids of the J^ames River to the north 
sidi©, then strike north for our lines. But the cun*ent and the ice 
cold water was too much for them ; they weire carried down and 
drowned. Several bodies were found on the rocks in the rapids 
next mioming, brought back and buried in tlie prisoner's graveyard. 
It was believed that every on© in the company perished. 

Attempts at escape w©r© constiantly made, but were generally 
known only to the trusted few concerned in the scheme. Now and 
then we heard from soldiers who ©scaped from the Island and 
reached the Union lines in saf©ty. 

When once on the main land there were even chances of getting 
through safely. Many of the citizens and the negroes g©n©Tally, 
through the country, would aid and pilot escaping Union prisoners, 
for whom a regular trail had been established. 

Almost daily arrival-^ of prisoners rapidly swelled the number, 
until Belle Island Camp, twice enlarged, was a prison-pen city of 
over eight thousand, made up of all classes of men known to the 
world : students, lawyers, doctors, teachers, mechanics, and machin- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 391 

ists, every trade and branch of art and industry, had its representa- 
tives here, by masters in their line, as well as scamps and cheats 
in great numbers, dying by degrees. 

"Ehere were toy, relic and meimento stores, a restaurant where 
corn-pone was sold, barber shops, jewelry shops, etc. Market street, 
so-called, was on every fair day crowded from morning till night, 
with men, ragged and dirty, loudly offering something to sell and 
extolling its merits, with an earnestness that rivaled a stock ex- 
change. 

There all imaginable things, peculiar to the place, consisting 
largely of toys and curios made in camp, were hawked, sold and 
traded. Some of the finest specimens of pocket-knife cuttings, carv- 
ings in wood, ivory, human and beef bones, wonderful in design and 
\v orkmanship ; also, beautiful pencil drawings and landscape sketch- 
ings, and famous battle scenes. 

Common pocket knives were the only carving tools and common 
lead pencils, the only instruments of art. 

It was the more distressing to see so many talented and highly 
eciucated men in rags, loaded down with filth, dirt and vermin, 
clown to the level of barbarism, slowly but surely dying. 

There was absolutely nothing for the' prisoners to do here. 
Therefore, for want of occupation for the mind, many fell to brood- 
ing, scolding, cursing the War and the stoppage of exchange. 

One day I said to my partner. Skinner, of Hoboken, New 
Jersey, ''Let us go into business, like some of the rest have done, 
to keep up spirits." He said, "I have no money, and nothing to 
sell ; how will we get started ?" I said, "I will sell my new over- 
coat to the Johnnies for whatever it will bring. I can get along 
as well without it as you 'and Adams ; besides, I have quite a few 
trinkets of value in my knapsack. Everything must go." The 
same day I sold my overcoat to a Confederate guard for $27, Con- 
federate money, worth $2.70 in green-backs, and equivalent to about 
$1.22 in "sound money." All of which I paid for one bushel of 
potiatoes and two sticks of pine cord wood, Avith which to cook them. 
Skinner split the wood into splinters with a heavy razor and a 
stone, anid began to cook potatoes in water, and smash them into 



592 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

miish, and without pepper or salt, would heap a small amount nicely 
on a tin plate, in a neat cone, with a spoon sticking in the top and 
T would take it down to ^'Market Street" to sell. I would stand 
and yell, "Here you are! A big plate of cooked potatoes, just oft' 
the fire, steaming hot; take them while hot, they will warm you up, 
make you fat and happy, etc., all for ten cents or one dollar Con- 
federate, only one dollar Confederate, ten cents ! ten cents !" When 
a plate was sold I would stand by the purchaser till he ate them 
( a short wait) then I would hie back to find Skinner ready with 
more. 

We were the only cooked potato dealers in camp and we sold 
them fast, at a profit. The first day we cleared $25. Later we 
added tobacco, onions, and some other little items of use and lux- 
ury. We lived better now; we ate extras, while surrounded by 
prisoners who watched us eating and hungered the more when they 
saw us eat. 

For a time we flourished and carried "Honey Dew" chewing 
t^^bacco in our pockets to give free chews to the distressed and to 
those who seiwed us by doing errands. 

We were great men in this city of misery. We were liberal 
with those who stole our goods. 

Time went on, and we could get no more potatoes ; then we 
bought flour and baked flap-jacks and sold them two for a dollar. 
To make these flap-jacks flour and water only were made into a 
batter and fried in any kind of availablei grease. Then we began 
to trade in meats, onions, tobacco, etc., and did fairly well ; but 
meat was high ; fresh beef cooked, five dollars a pound. 

On© diay I made la deal with a rebel guard for twenty-five 
pounds of stuffed liver pudding, for one hundred dollars ; the guard 
was to deliver the pudding at an hour fixed, when he would be on 
post. At the appointed hour I crept up to the dead line in the 
darkness ; but I was nervous and hesitated on taking the risk as a 
number had been shot as they crossed the line to trade. I listened 
ar d watched closely ; I could not see the guard as it was intensely 
dark ; but I heard him walk his frozen beat not twenty feet away, 
just outside the parapet. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 393 

Within a few feet of me to my left, a prisoner who had crept 
up to the dead line so quietly that even I did not hear him, asked 
in an undertone, " Johhny, will you trade ?" 

The Johnnie yelled, ''Get out of this you d Yankee, I 

will put a ball through you," and I heard the click of the gun- 
hummer as it was drawn preparatory to shoot. If ever I heard a 
Yankee run in darkness it was then. I kept very still till the guard 
of the other beat came up in hopes it was my man. 

When he came I signaled, "Whist," he answered, "Aye," very 
low. I said, "Pudding?" "Yes," came the answer, "have you 
the money ready ?" I said, "I could only raise ninety dollars ; is 
it a go?" "Yes, let me have it." Quickly I stepped over the dead 
line into the ditch, the valley of death, where many a. prisoner was 
murderously shot, in obedience to orders, by the guards, who, it 
was said, received fuirloughs homa for shooting a. Yankee outiside of 
the dead line. The risk was always great; any other guard seeing 
me would shooit nie; but I claambered to the top of the para- 
pet and whispered, "Here is the money," and he handed me the 
pudding. I slid off the parapet and was gone so quickly and 
quietly that the guard did not know what became of me. BjUt the 
pudding smelt like limberger cheese. Next morning we examined 
it and found it was spoiled. We could not sell it; so we ate it 
ourselves, dividing with the rest of our 'mess mates, who were glad 
it was half rotten so they got some of it. 

Our capital was now gone. We had failed in business. "What 
now ?" Skinner asked. I said, "We must get even with the fraud of 
a reb. ; this tin medal with my name, company and regiment on it 
is the size of a silver dollar, I will pass it on him tonight for a silver 
dollar." 

When our friendly guard was on post that night I went out to 
the dead line and signaled, "Whist!" 

"Aye," came the answer. 

"Trade?" I asked. 

"Yes, what have you ?" 

He said, "Four pounds of beef and a stick of cord wood." 

I said, "I will give you a silver dollar for "it," 



394 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

"Hand it over," he said. 

I crossed the dead line and ditch, climbed the pai-aix't and 
handed him the medal, got the beef, cleared the ditch and ran. On 
coming in. Skinner asked, ''What luck ?" I said, "Good, I was too 
much for the dishonest devil this time." Next morning we looked 
at the "beef" and found it was a chunk of a cow's udder, it looked 
jj'ellow and slimy. 

Skinner thought if we cooked it thoroughly we could eat it, 
hungry as we were. He split the wood with razor and stone and 
cooked the udder until the wood was all burned; as it cooked it 
turned yellow, slimy, scummy and odoriferous, but we ate of it;, 
all at once I felt sick; I said, I have enough; I have a pain now-; 
Skinner said he felt sick too and had a pain; we gave the balance 
to other prisoners, and I imagine they all got a pain. It was a 
we(ik before we fully recovered from the effects of this mess. 

At the time I bought the udder, tliere was considerable bad 
beef sold to the prisoners by the guards. A few days later we were 
told that our beef cow had died a natural death several days 
before she was cut up into beef and sold to us. 

I said, "Skinner, we will try the rascals just once more." 
With a lead pencil we traced a twenty-dollar Confederate bill on 
paper, laid over the bill on glass ; then gi'eased it and crushed it 
till it was soft. I took this new bill out that night, and signaled 
"Whist." "Aye," came promptly; it was my man. "Trade?" 
1 asked, "Yes," what have you? He answered, "Onions and pota- 
toes, mixed a half bushel," I said, "I will give you twenty dollars 
for thean. "Hand it over." I did; they took the new bill, lit 
a matcih and looked at. it; when they liit the maitdi I slid off the 
parapet and lay in the ditch so close to the parapet that they could 
not get range of me if they discovered the fraud ; for a few minutes 
I was in great suspense, bnt they ei\ndently pronounced the bill 
genuine, for they threw the onions over the parapet, right oi- 
me. I lay still till I heard them walk their beats, then slipped 
quietly away. We ate onions and potatoes for several days. 

I had a big supply of paper, envelopes, needles, thread, buttons, 
etc., in my knapsack, and we began to sell these. The ragged con- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 395 

dition of the uniforms of the Confederates caused a great demand 
for needles, said to- be very scarce in the Confederacy; therefore 
we had no trouble to get one dollar a piece for needles, while pant 
buttons readily sold two for a dollar. We put half a sheet of paper 
in each envelope, and both of us went down to "Market Street," 
and began to shout, "Oh, here you are for your paper and envelopes ! 
Come buy paper and envelopes and write home to your friends ; 
tell them you are living. Oh ! here j^ou are for your paper and 
envelo2>es ; a sheet of paper and envelope for ten cents, or one 
dollar Confederate." They sold rapidly, and we had some money 
again, for which we bought extras to eat from the Johnnies, just 
to such an amount each day. 

One day I was down to Market Street and saw a prisoner hold- 
ing up an apple for sale; he was an elegant talker, and never 
halted for words as he loudly told us what a good apple he had 
to sell, always ending the strain with the price, ten cents, or one 
dollar Confederate. I was down to my last dollar, but I could not 
pass that apple; I would walk away then go back and see if he 
ttill had it. I bought it; no apple eveir tasted so good amd no apple 
ever cost me so miuch. My knapsack w^ais now empty and my money 
all gone, but spring was rapidly oo'ming on and we kept our nerve. 

Down along the bank of the river by the camp sink, there 
were blackberry and sassafras bushes, and the prisoners dug the 
roots of these to the depth of four feet, and used the bark for 
[medicinal purposes, and which commanded a high price. Here also 
[stood a number of large buttonwood trees, the bark of which, for 
a change, was . an article of diet ; the bark of the roots, deep intu 
the ground, as well as the bark of the trunk and branches, to a 
[height of twenty feet or more, was cut and scraped off the wood, 
.clean, and eaten. Some of the prisoners claimed that these barks 
relieved the distress of heartburn, from which nearly all the prison- 
ers suffered greatly, and for the relief and cure of which we also 
late quantities of yellow clay, ashes, and drank weak lye, by way 
[of experiment, with little or no benefit. 

The prisoners were nearly famished for meat, and anything 
'in the line of meat would be seized upon. 



396 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

The commander had a fine, fat, pet poodle dog; one da.y this 
fat dog came into camp ; was seized upon arrival, and butchered ; 
the Confederate commander was very mad, and stopped the rations 
on the whole camp till the butchers of his dog would be delivered 
to him. Those knowing would not tell ; the second day the butchers 
of "ye said dog" went to the gate and surrendered, that the camp 
migiht be relieved. Nearly all afternoon I saw them sitting on 
bo'xe© beside headquarters, eating something. I saw no punishment 
in this, and when they came in I asked, "What did he do to you ?" 

"Nothing." 

"Did you only have to sit on those boxes and eat?" 

"That is all." 

"Well, what did he give you to eat then ?" 

"A piece of raw dog meat." 

When news of successes from the Union Army reached our 
prison camp, there would be tremendous clieering and howling 
through the entire ca.mp of eight thousand, wonderfully prolonged 
and indescribable, and which the Johnnies never tried to prohibit or 
control. 

It w^as known that there were some men on the Island who had 
formerly been impressed and served in the Confederate Army, but 
who, later, renounced the rebel cause and joined the Union Army 
and, with others, were taken prisoners. The Confederaites were deter- 
mined to find and hang these men; several times they took us all out 
of camp and passed us in single file past men who knew them, to iden- 
tify and pick them out. 

The prisoners were all determined that they should not be found, 
and they never were found. 

There was very little punishment inflicted on the prisoners for 
offenses against the Johnnies or tlieir prison rules. The usual forms 
of punishment were "buck" and "gag" and hanging up by the thumbs. 
To be "bucked" meant the bringing of tlie palms of the hands to- 
gether, then tying a rope around the wrists, then draAving the pinioned 
hands out and doAvnward, over the knees, till a stick could be passed 
under the knee joints, and over the arms, which doubled a man up in 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 397 

a lump, and he was left lying or sitting- on the groiin'd till his sen- 
tence in hours was fully completed and ended. 

"Gagging" meant to put a stick or bayonet crosswise in the 
mouth and drawn well back with a rope around the back of the neck, 
catching each side, and thus firmly holding it in place, back in the 
mouth. This, by drawing the rope hard about the back of the neck, 
could be made very severe, cutting the mouth, the blood flowing dowii 
over the victim's face and clothing till he would present a horrible 
and pitiable appearance. 

"Hanging by the thumlbs" was rarely done. This was done in 
several ways ; but it always meant the tying of the thumbs together 
by passing a thin, strong twine around both thumbs, either by noose 
or otherwise, tiien drawing tlhe hands up hard by this cord which was 
fastened overhead. Sometimes the thumbs were brought together 
behind the body, tied and drawn up ; this was far the most severe. \\=. 
the shoulder joints were tfcen reversed, the upper portion of the body 
bent down till the head was down by the knees; this was a position 
of intense torture. I never saw tlie cord drawn so that the feet were 
off the ground ; it was never done here and I don't believe it was ever 
done anywhere. 

I watched the punishment by this method of one young prisoner. 
I met him at the gate when he came in ; ho seemed dazed and wildly 
swimg his hands in pain, and continuously moaned. I examined his 
tliumbs and found that the twine had cut the flesh, of both to the bone. 

Many of the prisoners were not strong enough mentally to suc- 
cessfully meet tthe conditions here ; while they held out physically the 
mind broke down and maniacs became quite numerous in camp and 
the most pitiful oases of insianity among the prisoners were fre- 
quently met with ; their pitiful moanings were often heard all night 
as they stood unsheltered in the streets of camp, in rain and snow and 
storm, while the "Commissioners of Exchange" haggled and quar- 
relled, were in their comfortable quarters and lived on the "fat of 
the land." With reason gone, they lost knowledge of the camp limits 
and the dead line, crossing which they were shot. I saw two such 
unfortunates shot by the guard ; they were taken to the hospital ; one 



398 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

was mortally wounded, we thoug'ht, while the other had an arm shot 
oft' ; yet not a groan escaped their lips. 

There were powerful inflnenco=; at work in Kichmond to have 
the prisoners on Belle Island and in Richmond paroled and sent home 
or removed farther south and away from cities. * '" * 

* * * In January, 1864, smallpox broke out in camp, and 
many were carried out and sent to a pest camp, away from the city. 
The number of cases daily inareased, and the pros]>ect under this 
additional visitation of affliction, made our situation doubly horrible, 
inasmuch las there ^\'ae no escape, and we asked how long, and what 
more shall yet be added to the misery already endured. Our quar- 
antine was already established, in the "vigilan?t guai'ds aroamd us. Dur- 
ing the month the cases became so numeroiis that Richmond and ]\[an- 
chester became alarmed and demanded action. 

A notice was posted at the hospital gate, requesting all who de- 
sired to be vaccinated to report at the hospital every afternoon ; the 
boys wC'Ut out by hundreds every day to be vaccinated. In our mess 
we questioned the quality of the virus used, and which would be the 
greatest risk. For a month we esca]Ted, when it seemed that our time 
had at last come. It was stated before that Skinner, Adams and 1 
"wintered" under the same blankets. One night Skinner took sick ; 
he had chills and a bad niglit generally. He was "spooned" up with 
Adams and me, head and ears under the blankets, with us ; he shiv- 
ered, complained of pain, was feverish and red in the face. In the 
morning we concluded to take him do\ATi to "sick call ;" we led him 
doAvn and stood him before the surgeon, who looked at him and 
gruffly said, "Smallpox; away with him!" We let go as if he were 
liot iron. He was sent to the pest camp, he did not die but was cured 
and returned to the "Island Cam]>" the same day I came away, the 
following spring. Our mess was all anxiety for several weeks, fear- 
ing that infection was in our tent ; yet we all escaped. But scurvy, 
whicJi had been a scourge in cam,]) for some time, now attacked three 
in our mess in vinilent form ; swollen, bleeding gums ; dreadfully 
offensive biviath ; teetli becoming loose; bleeding ulcere on the legs; 
they were sent to the hos])ital and we never saw or heard of them 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 399 

afteTAvards. Letters from tlieir homes since the War stated tliat they 
never came back. 

For months there liad been no men paroled from the Island and 
more prisoners were almost daily coming in, till, notwithstanding 
the losses by reason of sickness and death, over eight thousand pris- 
oners were in camp which was twice necessarily enlarged and the 
greater number here the greater the amount of misery to be endured 
by all. Every man on the Island was determined to do his best to 
get a;W!ay by tlio first opportunity, they eared not where, for any pos- 
sible change must be for the better. 

On December 27th squads Nos. 1 to 5 — five hundred men, were 
called Xo "fall in." Instantly, the idea went fortli that the Commis- 
sioners of Exchange had agreed, and the long talked of parole was 
to begin. The joyful prospects of release greatly excited the camp. 

The commotion was indescribable ; yelling, slioiiting and run- 
ning through the streets, and packing against the gate, a dense, uncon- 
trollable mass of more than three thousand men, ever^^ one of them 
determined to be one of the five hundred. I was a member of souad 
No. 68 at that time, but I worked hard to "flank in," and made good 
headway ; I began to be very hopeful ; they were still going out and 
not a dozen ahead of me. I got into the gate with several others when 
the Confederate Sergeant shouted, "That is all !" Still we were being 
crowdtd forward by the multitude back of us, still pressing to get out. 
"Get back !" the guards shouted ; we could not get back ; the guards 
were armed with guns and bayonets fixed. Many were more or less 
severely bayoneted ; quite a number of Confederates had clubs only, 
and the clubbing of prisoners also commenced. Many fell under the 
clube ; my time had come ; they were up to me. I turned and tried to 
get out of reach, but the pack was too dense, and one of the "clubbing 
rebels" now took me over the head with his club, and I, txx), "went 
down in a heap." I wore my blanket like a shawl, and became en- 
tangled in it, but I picked myself up as quickly as possible. Just then 
one of the guards came rushing at me vnXh a bayonet, and the situa- 
tion was critical. Instantly I turned, and giving out the worst yell of 
my life, I dashed against the pack of prisoners just inside the gate, 
to save myself. I pushed several head over heels, and fell headlong 



400 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

over them, and felt greatly relieved when 1 felt others falling on top 
of me. I escaped, but how badly those on top of me were bayoneted, 
I never learned. This mix-up soon dissolved, and we were all on our 
feet again ; the pack had greatly thinned out, and matters looked more 
orderly. 

I must not omit saying that my head was well protected by the 
thick, tough, yellow rebel hat tliat 1 wore, and under the excitement 
of the occasion I never felt the blow that knocked me down, although 
for several days I wore a lump on my head the size of a walnut. 

There was no further need of violence, if excuse for it could be 
given in the first place. But the rebel Sergeant, Haight, by name, 
a deserter from the Union Regiilar Army, and the greatest tyrant of 
all, in charge of the guard, was not satisfied; he snatched a musket 
from one of the guards, and most brutally bayoneted several of the 
prisoners. A ipoor emaciated, cadaverous looking prisoner, scarcely 
able to keep his feet, tottered by him ; on seeing him at his right, he 
brought the butt of the musket to the right, and with great force 
butted the half dead prisoner on tlie temple, and he fell in a heap ; 
he gave him a thrust with the bayonet, which latter, however, could 
give no pain, as the blow on the temple had killed him. ''Get up !" the 
lebel yelled, lais he onde more drew tlie bayonet for another thrust. 
"Don't! You have already killed him," we shouted. "Take him away," 
he commanded. He was carried out, and we yelled "Murderer ! 
murderer!" The five hundred prisoners taken out were sent south. 

The exchange of prisoners in a Civil War is, perhaps, the most 
difficult of all matters that must be considered. The moment an ex- 
change of prisoners with a belligerent is made, they are: treated and 
recognized as equals, and independent national rights are conceded. 
But in this, as in all matters, theories must bend to the stern logic of 
events. Therefore the National Government at the outset ol the 
War, could not consent to put itself on an equality with the rebels by 
entering into any negotiations on the subject of exchange of prisoners. 
"Rebels" have no right to fight, to take or hold prisoners ; but to treat 
with them, admitted that they had. On the other hand, the Govern- 
ment dared not treat prisoners that we took as rebels, and hang them ; 
for it would bring swift retaliation on the other side. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 401 

Tlie first privateers captured were condemned as pirates ; tiie 
moment they were placed in close confinement to await execution, aii 
equal number of brave officers and men of equal rank, held by the 
rebels, were confined in the same manner, reserved for the same fate 
they should meet. The prisoners on both sides were soon numbered 
by tens of thousands ; still there was no exchange. Up to this time, 
Generals in the field were allowed to make exchanges on their own 
responsibility, and individual soldiers procured their own exchange. 
Paroles were given on the field by officers on each side. After each 
battle soldiers would produce paroles, given on the field, during the 
continuance of battle, purporting to have been given by Confederate 
officers. These must be recognized, notwithstanding the general 
belief that many of them were spurious. No satisfactory proposi- 
tion had been advanced; therefore, humiliating as it was, the Gov- 
ernment was compelled to come to direct negotiations with the Con- 
federates on this subject. 

After more than a year's trifling, the National and Confederate 
Governments agreed to appoint commissioners to formulate a cartel 
or basis of exchange, which, should be binding and final. John A. 
Dix, Major General United States Army for the United States, and 
D. H. Hill, Major General Confederate States of America for th& 
Confederate States, were appointed, with, full authority by their re- 
spective Governments. They met at Haxall's Landing on James 
River, Virginia, early in July, 1862, and after prolonged labor and 
discussion, they published a cartel July 22, 1862, from which we 
quote : 

Article I. It is hereby agreed and stipulated that all prisoner? 
of war held by either party, including those taken on private armed 
vessels, shall be discharged upon the conditions and terms following: 
Prisoners to be exchanged, man for man, and officer for officer ; priva- 
teers to be placed upon the footing of officers and men of the navy ; 
men and officers of lower grades may be exchanged for officers of a 
higher grade. And men and officers of the different services may be 
exchanged according to the following scale of equivalence: a Major 
General shall be exchanged for officers of equal rank, or for forty 
privates ; a Brigadier General for officers of equal rank, or twenty 



402 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

privates. A Colonel for one of equal rank or fifteen privates ; a 
Lieutenant Colonel for one of equal rank or for ten privates ; 
Major for one of equal rank, or eight privates ; a Captain for one 
of equal rank, or six privates ; a Lieutenant for one of equal rank, 
or four privates ; all non-commissioned officers for persons of equal 
rank, or for two private soldiers ; and private^ soldiers for each other, 
man for man. 

Article IV. All prisoners of war are to be discharged on parole 
in ten days after their capture, and the prisoners now held, and those 
hereafter taken, to be transported to the points mutually agi'eed 
upon, at the expense of the capturing party. The surplus prisoners 
not exchanged shall not be permitted to take up arms again, nor to 
serve as a military police, or constabulary force in any fort, garri- 
son or field work, held by either of the respective parties, nor as 
guards of prisoners, depots or stores, nor to discharge any duty 
usually performed by soldiers, until exchanged under the provisions 
of this cartel, etc. 

Article VL The stipulations and provisions above mentioned 
to be of binding obligation during tlie continuance of the War, it 
matters not which party may have the surplus of prisoners ; the 
great principle involved being first, an equitable exchange of pris- 
oners, man for man, ofiicer for officer, or officer of higher grade ex- 
changed for officer of lower grade, or for privates, according to the 
scale of equivalence. Second, that privates and officers, and men of 
the different services may be exchanged according to the same scale 
of equivalence. Third, that all prisoners,, of whatever arms of the 
service are to be exchanged or paroled in ten days from the time of 
their capture, if it be practicable to transfer them to their own lines 
in that time; if not, as soon thereafter as practicable, etc. 

Article VII. All prisoners of war now held on either side, and 
all prisoners hereafter taken shall be sent with all reasonable dis- 
patch, to Aikens Landing on the James River, or to Vicksburg, on 
the Mississippi River, in the state of Mississippi, and there ex- 
changed, or paroled, until such exchange can bo effected, etc., etc. 
But nothing in this article contained, shall prevent the commanders 
of two opposing armies from exchanging prisoners, or releasing 
them on parole at other points mutually agreed on by said com- 
manders. 

Article VI LI. (In part) provides for the appointment of two 
"Agents" to be called "Agents for the exchange of prisoners of war," 
etc., and "to carry out promptly, effectually, and in good faith, all 
the detailed provisions of the said article of agreement," 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 403 

Article IX. And in case any misunclerstandinii" shall arise in 
regard to any clause or stipulation in the foreo-oint*' articles, it is 
mutually agreed that such misunderstanding shall not interrupt the 
release of prisoners on parole as herein provided, but shall be made 
the subject- of friendly explanation, in order that the object of this 
agreement may neither be defeated nor postponed. 

(Signed) John A. Dix, Major General U. S. A. 

D. H. Hill, Major General C. 8. A. 

This cartel and basis of exchange was one of the most liberal and 
most honorable contracts ever made between peoples at war ; in 
language so plain that it could not be misunderstood or miscon- 
strued. It was for some time faithfully carried out by both parties 
to the agreement. 

Up to this time the Confederates had held by far the' greatest 
number of prisoners. But the overwhelming superiority of the jSTorth 
in men and means, was rapidly changing the surplus, by great odd&, 
to the Federal side and the meddlesome incompetents in authority in 
Waislliington, wilio bossed and bullied ithe Goneirals in th'ei field, plaimed 
campaigns and oirdered battles from their cushioned ch'airs at the Cap- 
itol, di'soovered that the Union soldiers^ captni-ed by the Confed'erates 
could easily be replaced from "Castle Garden," by conscription, and 
ly enlisting negroes ; while the Confederates had ahout readied their 
utmost limit of aviailable men for their Army, ^\4liclll was rapidly 
being weakened by captures and battle casualties. 

Xow, then, they argued, that it would ibe to the advantage of the 
Federal cause to violate this cartel regardless of the suffering and 
death it would bring to thousands of our imprisoned men. There- 
fore, from some one in authority in Wiachington the order went forth 
to "stop exchange." The excuse given was that the Confederate Army 
would be greatly weakened, if not broken up in this way. Soon the 
number of prisoners held by the respective Governments was enor- 
mous. The Federal Government held, approximately, one hundred 
and twenty thousand Confederate prisoners ; while the Confederates 
held about half that number. In Richmond they held four thousand ;. 
on Belle Island, Richmond, eight thousand ; at Florence, South Caro- 
lina, twelve thousand ; at Andersonville, Georgia, twenty thousand ; 



404 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

at Millen, Georgia, five thousand ; at Charleston, South C^-rolina, six 
thousand ; at Salisbury, North Carolina, ten thousand. 

Besides these, there were smaller prison camps at Blackshear, 
Georgia, Columhus and Tylor, South Carolina ; C'ahiaha and Danville, 
Virginia, and elservvhere. The number of prisoners held at these 
lesser camps are not now at hand. The number of prisoners held in 
all camps were constantly changing more or less but the total number 
held by the Confederates during 1863 and 1864 were approximately 
sixty-five thousand. The condition of the "prisoners was well known, 
and petitions from all over the JSTorth, as well as from the prison 
oamps of the South, were sent to- Washington, demanding the ex- 
change of prisoners, by the cartel of July 22, 1862. 

The southern people and the Confederate Government also de- 
mianded parole, even though exchange was refused, for they did not 
have the means to keep the great horde of prisoners held by them, 
finally, asking only parole, man for man and officer for officer, as 
far as the number of Union soldiers held by them would balance the 
account. 

All of the foregoing to no purpose, and the Union prisoners con- 
tinued in indescribable misery, and died by thousands. It was 
claimed at Washington, that the Confederates held in the North were 
stout and wejl, and that they would be put into their Army on their 
arrival ; while the Union prisoners were emaciated and unfit for 
service ; they would not have been sick, emaciated and unfit for serv- 
ice if they had been sent home in ten days after their capture, as this 
cartel demanded. The prisoners constantly cursed these Union 
hagglers over exchange, and if they had come into our cam,p they 
would certainly have been killed. 

The finale was given to exchange about the beginning of Fel> 
ruary, 1864, when the Federal Government appointed "Ben" Butler 
as Agent of Exchange. But, Gen. "Ben" Butler was, perhaps, the 
only man in the Union service, or out of it, with whom they would 
have nothing to do and the Government knew tliis. Our guards told 
lis that the appointment of Butler wais considered a preimeditatod in- 
sult to the Confederates, and settled the matter of exchange, and that 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 405 

we would all be sent south. During tiie week following- a thousand 
men were sent from the Island to Georgia. 

The indifference of the Federal Government toward us, was most 
discouraging. There we were, many thiousands who h.ad cheerfully 
volunteered for the service of our country, packed together in camps 
of misery and filth, where the air was constantly filled with fetid 
odors, in itself sufficient to plant the seeds of death in every system. 
Our Government had evidently for a time at least, abandoned us; 
those whom we had so faithfully sought to serve, and but for them 
we would then have been in our homes of cheer and comfort in the 
North. 

Hundreds who had endured every form of hardship cheerfully, 
now became discouraged under these distressing and evidently to be 
continued miserable conditions, sank away and died, while some went 
into the rebel service as tailors, shoemakers, to work on fortification, 
and even into the ranks of the Confederate Army, in the hope of bet- 
tering their condition and saving their lives; probably hoping for an 
opportunity for ultimately deserting such service, and making their 
escape to the Union lines. 

One thousand prisoners having been sent away the first week in 
February, we had more room and a little more to eat. Spring was 
now rapidly approaching, and the meniacing factors to this camp, the 
Army of the Potomac, and the rapidly increasing number of small- 
pox cases among the prisoners, woke up the Confederate authorities,, 
and the shipment of .prisoners from Richmond and Belle Island 
Prison Camp, was commenced in earnest on February lYth, when 
400 were taken from the Island and sent to Georgia, Feb- 
ruary 18th, 400; February 19th, 400; February 20th, 400; 
February 21st, 400; the 2 2d, 400; March 4th, 400; Sunday, 
March 6th, SOO ; on the 8th, 600 ; on the 10th, 600 ; on the 12th, 600 ; 
in all, 6,400 to prison camps farther south but mostly to Georgia; 
and the Island Prison Camp, the Star Home of misery and wretched- 
ness, for so long, began to look desolate, lonely and so quiet ; the mo- 
notony and tomb like quiet in tbe streets, and empty tents, was im- 



406 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

bearaible. The paltry few thousand yet remaining now moved into 
the tents near the gate ; we re-organized our squads to full hundreds 
and the mess to which I belonged, was transferred to "Squad No. 1." 
Our keeipers now allowed us gTeater privileges and increased our 
allowance of corn bread, the only grub they had to give us ; the guards 
engaged in prolonged friendly conversation with the prisoners, and 
the "dead line" was forgotten. 

Sunday morning, March 13th, dawned cloudless and beautiful. 
Spring had evidently come ; the weather was mild and delightful. 

As usual in fine weather, we were lazily sauntering and standing 
around, looking at tlie city beyond the river, and the beautiful land- 
scape near us ; the trees and bushes just over the parapet, whose buds 
were already swelling, and among whose branches birds were sweetly 
singing. We were suddenly awakened from our listless musings over 
the pleasing prospect outside, when the drum at headquarters beat 
"attention !" The Sergeant of the guard from the top of the parapet 
called out, "Squads Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 fall in and be ready to move." 
We formed our squads quickly, moved through the gate that had shut 
us in so long, and formed our column for the march to Richmond. 
The comimandant told us that we were to be paroled, and sent home ; 
that all tliait haid been sent away before had been sent south ; so we, 
four hundred miserable, yet lucky "rag-a-muffins" were to go home. 
Could it be true, or would I wake up and find thiait I had dreanned, 
as many times before ? I was afraid to "shake myself." 

We re-crossed the Tredegar Iron Works bridge, and marched 
down tlirough Manches'ter ; hero a. squad of pxisoneTs passed us on 
thedr way to the Island ; on© of them loudly hailed m© ; it was my for^ 
mer partner, Austin Skinner, of New Jersey, just returning from the 
smalljx)x ]>est camp, cured and stout, yet still red faced. I never saw 
or heard of him after tihis. We crossed the Danville Railroad bridge 
to Richmond, and were once more taken to the noted Libby Prison, 
where paroling oommenced, and by evening we had all signed the 
paper headed by the following parole. 

"We the undersigned prisoners of War, do give our parol© of 
honor, that we will not take up arms again, nor serve as military, 
police, or oonsbabulary force in any fort, garrison or field work, nor 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 407 

as guard of prisoners, depot or stores, nor discharge any duty usually 
performed by soldiers, until exchanged under the provisions of the 
cartel enteoned into July 22, 1862." 

This parole, \vihen signed, is sacredly kept, on the "honor of a 
soldier;" violations of it is pimishahle by death, if recaptured and 
identified. 

No soldier or Government would ask the violation of a "Soldier's 
Parole." 

The parole of our four hundred was, at the time, accredited to 
the individual efforts, and the personal responsibility of Colonel Mui- 
ford, of the Regular Army, independent of the "Commissioners of 
Exchange." 

When, in October last, we were first brought to Libby Prison, the 
prisoners were searched; on many quite large amounts of money 
vi'ere found, very large in the aggregate, and taken by the Confedea'-ate 
officers for "safe keeping," till paroled, when it was to be returned. 
Many did not live to be paroled ; and no prisoner paroled this day ever 
heard the word money mentioned, and not a dollar was returned. But 
I will here yet add that I never saw a Confederate take money from 
our men forcibly. 

The "Johnnies" now issued two days' rations of corn bread and 
some boiled beans to us. Some of us went back into a rear room, 
where stood many tobacco presses, witli large iron screws, to which 
still clung in abundance, the grease of "ante bellum days ;" though 
black and dusty, we scraped it off and ate it on our com bread. 

March 14, 1863. At 1:00 p. m. we marched out of Libby 
Prison, and we did not see the place again till the following soring 
(1865) on our return from Appomattox, as a triumphant Army. 
* * * But we return to our march from Libby. We reached the 
dock, and marched aboard the Confederate steamer, "William Alli- 
son;" we cast loose and were on our way home, down the historic 
James, all excitement and expectation. Slavery was not dead in Vir- 
ginia. There was a young negro on that boat, and a squa^ of southern 
men, standing aside, watched the "coon" and whispered ; then walked 
up to him and asked, "Where are you going ?" "I just take dis trip 
on de boat," he said. "Who do yon belong to?" oaane next. "I'se 



408 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

free man." "W'heirie is your home," etc. They were not satisfied^ 
they watched him closely, but I did not see the end of this matter. I 
thought then and still believe that he was a contraband on a trial trip 
toward freedom. 

In slavery days no coon could travel without a passport, and it 
was worth from fifty to one hundred dollars to catch and return a 
runaway slave. 

We steamed along for an hour, almost wild with expectation, and 
delighted with the beautiful scenery along the noble and historic 
James River ; members of the steamer's crew pointed out and named 
every point of interest, of which there was a continuous chain. 

We now reached Drury's Bluff, ten miles below Richmond. Here 
the James River was effectually obstructed. * * * 

Drury's Bluff is an abrupt knoll, bordering on the water's edge 
on the south side of James River, rising two himdred feet above the 
river's water level. Safely perched upon this cliff, and high above 
the reach of the guns of the Union iron clad fleet, was Fort Darling, 
well and scientifically constructed, moimting fourteen heavy guns, 
mostly one hundred pounder rifled guns, none less than eight-inch 
shell guns and all so mounted that they could be pointed directly 
down on the decks of passing vessels. 

On the north side, just below is Chapin's Bluff, crowned with 
batteries almost as formidable. 

Here the advance of the Union iron clad fleet was effectually 
stopped and driven back in May, 1862. The advance by water upon 
Richmond was never again attempted. 

Somes miles below we passed the Confederate squadron of slop- 
ing sided iron-clad gun boats, a beautiful and formidable looking fleet, 
at anchor, with banked fires, keeping watch of the Yankee fleet, a 
much stronger and finer fleet, only a few miles below, through which 
we passed shortly after exchanging with them whistle salutes. 

iNTear Chapin's Bluff our steamer ran into a sand bar, on which 
we himg fast till some time in the night, when we got off, and reached 
Aiken's Landing, the place of exchange, at midnight. 

During the night several prisoners fell overboard and were 
drowned and five died. One of these was James Walters, Company 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 409 

D, Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, my partner on tiiis trip. He 
did not seeim sick, but weak ; and like hundreds of others, fell asleep, 
newer to aAvake again. He died during the night, under th« same 
blanket tihat also covered me and another soldier. We did not know 
that he was dead till we roused up in the morning. 

The night was intensely dark and stormy ; just as day was dawn- 
ing, a soldier ran into our oompartment, shouting, "Aiken's Landing ! 
The United States Steamer 'City of New York,' is at anohor along- 
side, a United States flag, big enough to cover this boat, floating at 
its main staff!" Instantly we jumped up and rushed out to see the 
gramd old baimer, w'hicih we had not seen for so long. A long, loud, 
hoarse sihout went up, and tears came to the eyes of many hardened 
soldiers, as they once more looked upon our own starry flag as it 
waved lazily, yet proudly, and defiantly in the strong south wind. 

The "City of New York" had brought down a batch of Confed- 
erate prisoners for exchange. They crowded thick along the "rail" 
of the vessel, and steadily looked at us. We hurled some Confederate 
corn bread bricks into their crowd, and told them that was what they 
would get to eat when they got home. They gathered them up, ana 
began to eat them with apparent great relish, and called for more. 

Some of our men threw their com bread into the river ; it 
thumped and sank to the bottom like a stone. The story often heard, 
that this ooim breald was baked out of com chop, 00b and all ground 
together is not true. To this day (1904) I have some of this same 
com bread, issued to me in 1864, in my collection of relics, where it 
may be seen and examined by anyone who may have been misled by 
the old canard. 

At this point, let us further "give the devil his dues." Let the 
truth be told. Jefferson Davis, President of the Southern Confeder- 
acy, was by some radical talkers and writers of the time, blamed as 
the cause of harsih treatment shown the Union soldiers in Confed- 
erate prisons. As a matter of fact. President Davis had no more to 
do with the Union soldiers in Confederate prisons than President 
Lincoln had to do with the Confederate soldiers in northern prisons. 
But, it can not be successfully denied that the hitch lay in President 



410 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Lincoln's cabinet. From there the cruel suggestion emanated to 
"stop exchange" in violation of the "cartel." 

The Confederate Government and the j^eople of the South, as 
well as the people of the North, continuously, yet vainly, implorea 
the National Government to stand by the cartel of July 22, 1862, in 
order that one hundred and fifty thousand imprisoned men of both 
sides, might return to their friends, and thus effectually put an end 
to suffering in military prisons on both sides. 

It v/ias said at the time, that one of our Generals, determined to 
use his best efforts to reinaugurate excbange, and have all prisoners 
released, called upon Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, at Wash- 
ington, relative to the matter, and, on becoming persistent, Stanton 
toM him to go to tihe devil, and abniptly left the room. Stanton had 
no time for him on this subject. 

Early in tlie forenoon the " Jobnnies" were transferred from the 
upper deck of tbe "New York" to the upper deck of their own boat,, 
the "Williasm Allisou," wbile our crowd moved from the lower deck 
of the "Allison" to tbe lower deck of the "City of New York." Th.is 
transfer was quickly accomplished, with the precision of clock work. 

The "City of New York" gave a tremendous howl, slowly 
wheeled into tbe channel, and started down the James, while at the 
same time, the "William Allison" started up the stream, the 
"Johnnies" shouted good-bye, and waved their hats continuously, 
while bundreds grouped on the upper deck, were loudly singing 
"Dixie Land," and wildly waving a Confederate flag; at the same 
time, a large Confederate fl-ag was slowly drawn up on the main staff. 

The Confederate steamer, "William Allison," which brought us 
from Richmond to Aiken's Landing, was sometime afterwards blown 
up by a Confederate torpedo, while on her return from City Point. 

The James River was heavily "mined" and set with "contact tor- 
pedoes/' as a protection against the powerful squadron of United 
States Iron Clads, which menaced Richmond by tlie James River. 

As soon as we were fairly started down tlie James we got our 
first Union meal of wheat bread, boiled pork and hot coffee, that was 
all ; never anybliing tasted better. We reached Newjwrt News in the 
afternoon and tied up for a brief stop, then started down Hampton 



1 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 411 

Roads, the scene of the conflict between tlie Monitor and the Merri- 
mac, tihe first fight between iron-claJ ships, which revolutionized the 
navies of the world. 

We made a landing at Fortress Monroe, and carried out our dead 
for burial there. This done we rounded Old Point Comfort, into 
Chesapeake Bay, and had our second Yankee meal of "soft bread," 
pork and hot coffee. 

On account of a furious storm and head wind, we got along 
slowly, but by daybreak we passed Point Look Out, and had a light 
breakfast of bread, boiled pork and a quart of hot coffee. 

Breakfast over, a negro came out of the kitchen of the steamer, 
with a large slop bucket full of table leavings, to throw overboard; no 
sooner did we see him than we rushed for the bucket for something 
to eat. This rush frightened the nigger terribly. He thought when 
we yelled and ran at him that we intended to throw him overboard. 
So he instantly let go of the bucket and ran. I was the first one into 
the bucket and seeureid a roasted "leg of mntton," entire ; a: big bite, 
but I ate it all, while the rest of my comrades cleared the bucket and 
ate everything there was in it. 

At 3 :00 p. M. we reached Annapolis, Maryland, and immedi- 
ately disembarked and marched to "College Green Barracks," where 
we received new uniforms entire, and were sent into a big barrack 
bath house, containing forty wooden plank bath tubs or water 
troughs, all in one room, arranged along each side, two feet apart, 
ends to tlie wall, with an aisle through the center. There was plenty 
of hot water heated in a row of ninety -gallon, laundry kettle stoves, 
standing in a row in the aisle, passing through the center of the build- 
ing from end to end. 

There was, also, plenty of strong laundrj^ soap, cakes of great 
size. As we stripped we threw every stitch of the old uniforms out 
of the windows, and scoured the dirt of half a year's accumulation 
from our bodies, and put on our new uniforms. The satisfaction ovei 
the transition from a state of filth and vermin to absolute cleanliness, 
is indescribable. 

At one end of this bath room was located a group of barbers, 
who "made the old fur fly." In a vers' few minutes they would "do 



412 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

a man/' head and face. Some of the whiskered fellows howled un- 
der the operation, but the scraping knife in all eases, rattled along to 
a finish, often leaving the face wounded and bleeding. 

On my boy face there was no shaving to do; but down over my 
shoulders hung a heavy, luxuriant growth of curling, flowing hair, 
the product of a half year, and fully inhabited. I passed through 
the hands of one of the barbers, who left me comparatively bald 
headed, with which I found fault; but the barber explained that 
such were the •'orders," so that all the "inhabitants" would be dis- 
lodged. He further consoled me by saying that T looked better tJian 
1 did before the operation. 

As we emerged from the bath liouse, we were met by agents of 
the "Sanitary and Christian Connnission," carrying immense bas- 
kets, filled with a great variety of articles conducive to the comfort 
and amusement of the soldiers, such as books, magazines, testaments, 
bibles, paper, envelopes, ink, pens, lead pencils, postage stamps, 
combs, playing cards, matches, tobacco, pipes, etc, etc., all of which 
were gratuitously and libeTally distributed among the boys. We had 
no money to buy, but by reason of this timely free distribution, hun- 
dreds of letters were written and started on their way to friends in 
the Xorth during this fir«t night at "home." Here we digress to say 
that the "Sanitary and Christian Commissions" were splendid ex- 
amples of organized mercy, furnished by the }>eople of the Xortii. 
They devised and provided every possible comfort for the sick and 
wounded, beside distributing religious reading to every soldier in the 
field. They provided ambulances, stretchers, nurses, medicines, band- 
ages, clothing, hot coffee, with an endless variety of delicacies and 
general provisions for the sick and wounded, and Christian burial for 
the dead — no want of body or soul was overlooked in camp, hos]>ital, 
or accessible fields after battle. 

"Homes" and "Lodges" for men on sick leave, and for those not 
yet under, or just out of the care of the government, or who had been 
left by their regiments. "Feeding stations" for the tired and hungry, 
and even homes for the wives and nmthers of soldiers who had come 
to visit their sick or wounded, were established. On every flag of 
truce boat were placed clothing, medicines, etc., for the prisoners who 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 415 

had been retimied. With boundless mercy thej cared for all wihile 
living, and gave Christian burial to, and marked graves of the dead. 
Over seventeen million dollars in money and supplies were expended 
by these two Commissions during the War. 

We return to our narrative. It was now getting dark, and we 
received a day's ration, consisting of a twenty-two ounce loaf of wheat 
bread, about a pound and a half of boiled mess pork, three big onions 
and a quart of strong hot coffee. I ate the loaf of bread, all the meat, 
two of the onions, and drank the quart of hot coffee. Then I traded 
tlie remaining onion for a piece of bread and ate that. I was still 
hungry. I went to the cook-house to beg a loaf of bread, but they 
said I would kill myself eating, and they dared not give me any ; but 
they gave me another quart of coffee, and I drank that. I had eaten 
a whole day's ration and was still hungry ; I was making up for lost 
time. It was now night, and I laid down on a board bunk, with, my 
blanket around me to sleep; but I was so full I could not endure 
lying down. So I got up and by the light of a sperm candle I wrote 
a few letters home. Then I walked the frozen ground outside till 
morning. I had eaten my allowance for twenty-four hours for sup- 
per and would get no more till evening. I went over to the Commis- 
sar}' and stole a loaf of bread, and made a breakfast on tliat and two 
quarts of coffee ; I had nothing for dinner. For supper I had my 
twenty-four-hour allowance of bread, meat, onions and coffee, as 
before. ISText morning I had nothing to eat. Something had to be 
done. I persuaded Comrades John BarkdoU and James Fishaek, 
two Maryland soldiers, to go with me. We went down to the oyster 
dock in the city (Annapolis) with cups and kettles. Here they were 
unloading oyster vessels and sorting oysters ; we began to crack what 
they threw back ; noticing our eagerness to get oysters, they helped 
us along and in a short time we had a gallon of solid oysters. Then 
we begged a loaf of bread, salt and ]Tepper at a house in the suburbs, 
and went up a ravine to cook our soup. Here some troops had ca.m,ped 
and there were lots of army crackers lying around on the ground ; 
we gathered all we needed, started a fire, and soon had our three- 
gallon kettle of soup, or rather oyster mush. By that cheerful 
fire, we had the biggest and best oyster mess I ever helped to ©at, and 



414 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

there was none left over. All the prisoners who were well, and a* 
resonrcefnl, ate just as ninch as we did. 

In a few days many began to sicken, in consetjuenoe of this dog- 
like gorging. We w^re moved to ^'Camp Parole," two miles from 
town, and put on short rations, and strictly guarded ; we thought the> 
were starving us. 

One day I slipped the guard and walked down through tlie camp, 
and in passing the open window of the headquarter cook-house, I saw 
a platter heaped up with nicely "done brown" codfish balls. I said 
to the cook, ''Give me a few of those." He set the platter on the win- 
dow and said, "Help yourself." I ate them all. They w^ere not very 
large, but tliere were about fifty of them. I went to my quarters and 
lay down on my bed. Doctor Lincoln soon after made his rounds. He 
hailed me in his usual pleasant way, ''Hello, my boy ; how are you 
today?" "1 feel fairly good," I said; ''somewhat tight 'under the 
belt' " He examined me, and said that he was puzzled in my case; 
he could not understand why I should be so bloated ; I said I had tiie 
same trouble down in "College Green Barracks." He said he would 
call again during the day; toward evening he called again and pro- 
nounced me better. I said 1 did not feel near so much bloated. A 
little later I was given a furlough home for a few weeks, and on my 
return I found that the National and Confederate Governments had 
agreed on exchange, which included all the squad paroled with me. 
This released us from our parole obligations, and we ceased to be 
prisoners. Most of my companions had already started for tJie front. 

On May 26th the balance of our squad, myself included, also 
started for the front, at Petersburg, Virginia. 

Now the "Prisoner's Story" is finished. The object throughout 
this entire narrative, was to accurately and minutely set forth the 
conditions as they existed, in all the varied ]ihases of prison life on 
Belle Island; and to locate, in a measure, the i-esponsibility for these 
long continued miserable conditioTis. 



THE 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 415 

THE PRISONER'S STORY. 



PART III. 

By Serg. H. K. Miller^ H. Company, iJfSth Pennsylvania Volunteers 

1 was taken prisoner in the e\'ening" of the 17th of June, 1864, 
at Petersburg, Virginia. A part of our Regiment, with other 
troops, had been on the picket line on the extreme left, having been 
relieved by, I think, men of the Ninth Corps. We came back and 
went farther tO' the right, where w© went into line and drew rations. 
Some other troops charged over us where we lay and drove the 
rebels out otf their works and we were ordered out to the front line to 
hold them. Some time after dark the firing ceased in our front but 
came more obliquely from the right. We turned our fire in that 
direction and in the meantime the rebels formed in our front and 
charged on us, getting quite close before we saw them. We then 
turned our fire on them but it was dark at tiie time and a great 
many of our men broke and ran, leaving only a small line at that 
point, which was captured. 

Among those of our Regiment who were captured at that time 
were Lieutenant Breon, of Company E, Corp. Thomas Jodon, 
T.mer Eunk and myself, of Company H. The rebels charged into 
the works with a heavy line of battle, firing over and into us, killing 
soice of those who had stayed to defend the works, and yelled to lis 
to surrender, which we did, not knowing what suffering we would 
have to endure before we would see the old stars and stripes again. 
We werci treated all right by the brave men who defended the breast- 
works, but as soon as we reached Petersburg and were turned over 
to the provost guards our bad treatment began. We were put into 
an old tobacco warehouse or something of that sort and were after- 
wards put into another large warehouse in small squads, where they 
took from us our knapsacks, haversacks, blankets, gum blankets and 
shelter tents, leaving us nothing with which to make ourselves a 
little comfortable, when we reached that place of misery — Anderson- 
ville. They then took us back to the other warehouse tO' stay all 
night. While we were in this building, one of our solid shots or 



416 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

shells passed through the roof, the boys giving a "Hurrah I" when 
they heard it tearing through. Next day we w^ere loaded on cars 
and taken south. We }>assed through Macon where they kept the 
commissioned officers. We reached Andersonville a few days after 
being captured, where we were again examined and robbed of any 
valuables we had and then turned into the stockade where all the 
dry ground, except that between the dead line and tlie stockade was 
already occupied. We at last found Ephraim Klinger, of our 
company, who was captured at Poe River, and one or two of our 
new men (have forgotten their names) on a dry spot almost sur- 
rounded by the swamp that crossed the pen. They had made a 
shelter of mud and sticks, so we stayed with them until they opened 
the new" addition to the stockade, when we were taken to tlie new 
part, Klinger going along with us. Thomas Jodon had traded a 
watch, which the rc'bels had failed to get, for a woolen blanket, 
which we stretched up to shelter the four of us, lying on the 
ground. 

William Snyder and Sylvester Saunders were captured on the 
2 2d of June, witli Captain Bayard. Snyder saicceeded in getting 
in with a blanket which we then put up for the entire six. Sonic 
time after tliis, Samuel Cook, of the 4th Kentucky Mounted In- 
fantry, a brother of our Lieut. James B. Cook, was captured and 
we took him in with us, making seven undeir the two blankets. 
Sergeant Ward, our color bearer, who was captured on June 16th 
and had buried his colors, which were afterwards found by our 
men, was thei'e but in another part of the i>en. There were a few 
of our Regiment there but I cannot recall the names of any of the 
rest of our eomjiany. 

Thomas Jodon died at Andersonville. Sergeant Ward died 
at Millen. William Snyder, Ephraim Klinger and Toner Funk 
died in some other place in the Sonth. Sylvester Saunders was 
exchanged with ten thousand sick in the fall and only reached An- 
napolis, Maryland, where he died. The rest of the seven, except- 
ing myself, never reached our lines. 

Soon after we arrived at Andersonville the prisoners them- 
selves formed police companies to rid the camp of the raiders, as 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS Ml 

they were called, whose depredations had become of such a character 
that it was not safe to be in the neighborhood where they camped. 
After the ring-leaders of them had been arrested, they having been 
taken out and placed under guard by tlie rebels, tlie latter took 
Sergeants that belonged to the new detachments out to form a court 
to try them. Sergeant Dana had charge of the squad to which I 
belonged and, after he was taken out, I was appointed to take his 
place. My duties were to see that my men were all present or ac- 
counted for at roll call, take the sick to sick call, have tlie dead 
carried out and divide the rations to the squad. This dividing of 
the rations had to be done very correctly, as it was done under 
the scrutiny of many anxious eyes. For this extra labor I got one 
extra ration which I shared with the rest of my mess. This posi- 
tion I held -wihile I remained at. Andersonville the first time. 

The court that tried the raiders, sentenced six to be hung ; the 
others were put in a chain gang for some time, this being a very 
severe punishment. A chain connected them all, with a ball and 
short chain to one of their ankles, so when one of them wanted to 
go to the sink or anywhere else the whole gang had to go along. I 
heard that one of the gang died and tliat the man who cut him 
loose from the others had a great deal of trouble in getting the 
collar off his neck. This collar was connected by a short chain to 
a long chain connecting them all together. One of the party pro- 
posed cutting off his head, but the others, less hard-hearted, objected. 
How they did get it off I never heard. I cannot vouch for the 
truth of this last statement, but after I came homei, was told by 
one who had helped to do it. 

The six raiders who were condemned were hanged the 11th of 
July inside the stockade and in the wide avenue leading in from 
the south gate. They were brought in by the rebel guards and 
turned over to our own police who did the hanging on a roughly 
constructed scaffold. One of the raiders broke away from the 
police and ran through the crowd, creating quite a panic among the 
mass of men around the scaffold, the cry having been started that 
the rebels were going to fire. The condemned man ran through that 
crowd coming across through the swamp, calling to the men to save 



418 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

him, when some of the police caught him, took him back and the 
six were taken upon the scaffold together and the plank knocked 
cut from under them. One of the ropes broke and the man fel" 
t(.' the ground but was gotten up again and hanged with the rest. 
These men were all buried together and their graves marked. Tlie 
finding cf the court in the case of the raiders was said to have 
been approved by some one of our Grenerals. 

Toward fall the detachment to which William Snyder nnd 
Sylvester Saunders belonged was taken out of Andersonville, the 
rebels leaving them under the impression that they were going to 
nc pxcJianged. Ephraim Klinger, in the hope of getting to our lines, 
"flanked" out with them (that is, he got into their lines and was 
counted out with the rest). Klinger was one of the bravest and 
best men in our company. I never saw either of these tliree again. 
Snyder, thinking tliat he was going to our lines and could get along 
without his blanlcet, left it with me. No doubt the poor fellow 
suffered much on account of his not having it. 

Thomas Jodon was at this time sick and had a big scurvv 
sore on his leg. He was helpless and had to lie on the ground with 
norhing but one woolen blanket for shelter. He was afterwards ad- 
mitted to tlie hospital outside the stockade and died some time in 
October. 

Some time after this the balance of the prisoners were taken 
out and the squad that Cook, Funk and I belonged to was sent 
to ]\[illen, Georgia. This was a stockade similar to Andersonville, 
excepting that we were not so crowded. The weather was now 
getting very cold and all that we three had to keep warm was the 
blanket that Snydeir left with me. 

After we reached Millen, there was an exchange of ten thousand 
sick prisoners and Sam Cook was taken into a shanty in the place 
of a sick soldier who had been taken out and so our mess was 
broken u]). 1 joined in with two men from New York State, named 
Carr and Litchfield, who each had a blanket. We spent the blilance 
of the winter together. , 

One day soon after I was taken to Millen I saw a prisoner* 
wearing a cap marked Comyyaiiy H 14Stli, and Si^'Dud Corps badge. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 419 

I knew the cap at onoe and asked >liini where he got it. Pie told me 
he had taken it off a dead man and where I could find him. I went 
where he directed me and fo'und Sergeant Ward, our color bearer, 
almost stark naked, nothing but a skeleton left of a big, stout man — 
another good, brave soldier fallen a victim to rebel cruelty. 

We had an election in Millen for President and Lincoln car- 
ried the day by a considerable majority. 

The rebels would come into the stockade and try to persuade 
the prisoners to enlist in their Army, using all sorts of persuasions, 
telling us our Government had deserted us. At this time it wat- 
very cold and it was a great inducement to starving men to have 
offered to them new clothing, blankets and shelter, when they 
thought to enlist might save their lives. A great many of those 
y»ho enlisted were foreigners who did not care much on which side 
they were, but it is to the honor of that great mass of freezing, 
starving men that there were very few who did not soom their offers 
of freedom, preferring death to dishonor. 

When Shennan's cavalry came in the direction of the prison, 
they took us out and shipped us to Savannah. We were there a day 
or two when they put us on the cars, telling us they would take us 
to our lines, but instead wc' were taken farther south tO' a. place 
called Blackshear, where they camped us for some time, then took 
us still further south, where they camped us, getting a lot of 
darkies to dig a big ditch around us. They kept us here for some 
time, then marched us across the country about sixty miles to a place 
called Albany. Here we got on cars and were taken back and 
turned into old Andersonville, where we spent the balance of the 
winter. I was among the last to leave there but at last was taken 
to Albany, where we were put on cars and finally reached a station 
called Baldwin in Florida, about twenty miles from Jacksonville. 
This distance from Baldwin to Jacksonville we had to walk, the 
railroad having been torn up. 

It would be unjust to say that all the rebels were bad ('although 
the most that we had anything to do with were). I at least found 
one who treated me all right, as we were on the way to our lines 
between Thomasville and Jacksonville. Our train stopped to take 
071 AVdod and I had occasion to 2:et off the trnin and it started and 



420 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

I was left behind. It was in a wild wooded country and I followed 
on. the railroad track, until I eanie upon an old corn cracker mill. 
The miller came to the road and I inquired of him the distanc? 
to the station. He told me it was a right smart distance and that 
was about all the satisfaction he could give me, but I found that 
"right smart" meant quite a distance to walk barefooted and in m_v 
weakeneid condition. I got to the station at last and found an 
old soldier in charge who had lost his limb in the Confederate 
Army. He told me to stay there with him and he would get me on 
the next train and send me on and that I would probably overtake 
the rest. I spent some time very pleasantly with him, under the 
circumstances, he telling some of his experiences in the front and 
I mine. As I was there over meal time, he sent his servant out 
and he brought me a big cooked dinner on tray which I enjoyed 
very much. It was the first meal of the kind I had tasted since 
being captured. Before the train came along he sent his man out 
and brought me a bottle of blackberr}- brandy. He said the price 
of this was ten dollars in Confederate money. This brandy I b:-- 
lieve w'as very beneficial to me in my condition. The train at last 
came along loaded with Confederate soldiers who treated me civilly 
and gave me a whole seat to myself, no doubt on account of the 
other graybaoks that w^ere on me. We at last came' to where the 
others had stopped. I think the name of this place was Lake City. 
Here we got our last ration of corn meal which was tlie last we 
gO't until we were in oa;r owai lines, and then it was soft bread, 
coffee, sugar, meat, beans, and oh ! the contrast, 

I arrived at our picket line about eight or nine o'clock at night. 
Xoxt morning went into fTacksonville, a mile or two from the 
picket line, where I saw the "Old Stars and Stripes" flying at the 
top of a flag pole. Then 1 knew I was in God's country again. This 
was on the 2Sth day of April, 18G5. I was at this time a mere 
skeleton, iiaving scuiwy and chronic diarrhoea and being almost 
nak(nl. I went into the hospital, as they got beds ready for us. 
There were six in one tent with me. Three of the six died. I lay 
at Jacksonville about a month before I was able to be sent North. 
I arrived at Annapolis about the 1st of June and was sent from 
there to Harrisburg, my father nu^^ting me there. I got a seven 
days' furlough and came home with him. I returned when the time 
was up and was discharged June 11, 1865. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 421 



THE PRISOXER'S STOIJY. 



PART IV. 

By Jahfi W. Biddle, of Company B. 

Ill my service in the Kei;iiiieiit, 1 took part in eight diiferent 
battles. The hist one, leading np to my prison life, was in front 
of Petersbnrg on the KJtli of June, IS 04, where we made the charge 
upon the rebel works. 1 was assisting Sergeant Ward (I think that 
was his name), the c(dor bearer, in burying the regimental flag, in 
order to save it, for we saw that we had got too far ahead and could 
not retreat for the enemy was coming in on us from two directions. 
After we had buried the colors, Ward said, "Thank God, John, they 
won't get the flag, if they do get us." 

On they came, with the regulation rebel yell, gathered all about 
US and said, "Hand over your guns, yoii damned Yanks," and we 
had no choice but to comply. W^e were ordered to fall in ranks and 
do' it d — quick or ''we will shoot every one of you." So^ in we 
got the best we coiild and theii the orders were given to march and 
we started for tihe rear. We hatl not gone far, until we were ordered 
to tihe double quick. They said tlie Yanks were coming down 
on them like hell. A reibel officer came riding up and said, ''Move 
them Yanks up or they'll be taken from us." 

We were taken back to Petersburg and put in an old tobacco 
house and then the fun began. They took boxes of tobacco and set 
them in front of us and said, "If any of you Yanks take any of that 
tobacco, we'll shoot you." We stayed there that night and then they 
started us for Andersonville Prison. After they had put us on the 
train and run us down the railroad, they stopped and said they 
would give us so^mething to eat buti they had not enough for them- 
selves, "so you Yanks can do without." We had nothing to eat for 
three days. While we were there, they would torment us in various 
ways, taking meat and corn bread and holding it up in front of us 
and saying, "Yank, are you hungry ?" then they would sit do^vn and 
eat it and say, "We'll starve you Yanks." 



422 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

We resumed tlie trip to Andersonville. They put us on the 
train and we had not gone far until oair troops began to shell the 
train. One shell struck the end of the car that I was in. We were 
in hope tliat w-e ^vould be recaptured by our men beforei we reached 
that hell-'hole of Andersonville, but our ho]ies failed us and on we 
went till we got to that dismal place. 

It nearly made us sick. They took us off the train, marched 
us to headquarters, there they drew us up in line and asked us if 
we had any money. We said, "jSTo." Then they siaid, "You are such 
liars we'll search you," which they did, and took all of our money, 
pocket knives, etc., then marched us to the entrance of the prison, 
where they took our clothes away from us and opened the gates and 
turned us in naked and hungry, for we had had nothing to eat, say- 
ing, "There is where you'uns can stay." 

It was a heart rending sight — the naked prisoners in that place. 
They were nothing but skin and bones. I felt that I could not live 
long in that place but I did live in it for eleven months. I w^eighed 
one hundred and ninety-eight pounds wdien I went in and seventy 
when I came out. 

We got something to eat at last. It> was a piece of com bread 
about an inch and a half square and a spoonful of molasses and that 
is all I had for twenty-four hours, and I got that every twenty-four 
hours, and that was what I lived on most of the time for eleven 
months. 

The stockade surrounding the prison was made of logs sawed 
square and stood on end, planted in the ground five feet, and about 
twenty feet high. There were little boxes on top where the guard 
stood and in the prison there was a dead line about ten feet wide 
made of stakes driven into the ground, with a board on top, and we 
were required to stay a foot away from it under pain of being shot. 
T saw one poor fellow Sihot when he was asleep. He rolled over too 
far and didn't know it. 

The prison pen was nothing but a bed of sand and lice. The 
water we had to drink was out of a brook that ran through the refuse 
of the prison and tlie rebels would foul the streain in various ways 
and say it was good for Yank's health. When we were on the verge 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 423 

of starvation, tliey would throw corn bread on the verge of the dead 
line and tell us to get it and would shoot anyone who would attempt 
to do so, saying they got a ten day furlough hoane for every Yank 
they shot. 

I saw prisoners who were so weak they ooiild not walk shot 
\vhen not near the dead line. It was a hard task for me to see my 
cv.mradee treated in thtit way. We were at their mercy and oould 
not help ourselves. We were poor and weak, and infested with 
vermin, l^oor and weak as we were and without shelter or fire, the 
guards would come in and say they ought tO' kill all of us. They 
would kick the prisoners in the ribs and order them to get up, when 
TJiey were too weak to stand. 

They brought our corn bread in a wagon and then would load 
tie wagon v/ilh the dead men and haul them out, throw them in a 
trench, without a box cr blanket, throw a little dust over them and 
leave thorn for the dogs to dig out and eat up. 

Many attempts were made to escape, only to bei tracked by blood 
hounds. I ?aw prisoners come in who had been caught by hounds, 
the flesh hanging down off the bones, torn by the dogs. Many of 
these men died in a short time. I saw a squad of prisoners caught 
in that way by the hounds and brought in all torn and bleeding, 
and for punishment some were hung up by the tliumbs till they were 
dead and othei's were laid across a baiTel and whipped with what 
they called cat-o'-nine-tails till the flesh dropped from their bones; 
others bucked and gagged and compelled to remain in tliat condi- 
tion, until relieved by death. They would beg for mercy but were 
met with curses and orders to keep still on pain of being shot. 

There were about thirty thousand in the pen, when I went in, 
and about five thousand came out alive. Every day there were three 
or four loads of dead hauled out. I had a comrade by the name of 
John Eamberger who died lying across my breast. I was stronger 
than he was. At night I ^vould lie down and get his head on my 
breast. He had one foot rotted off and part of his thigh and was 
being eaten up with vermin. I saw hundreds of prisoners with their 
feet and arms decaying, crying and moaning with pain and asking 
for help. Wirz would come in and hail them and say, '"I can 



424 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

tix joii daiimed Yauks," and would trample tliein to death, sayijig, 
"We can kill more here tliain they can at the front." I heard a man 
ask Wirz for something to eat and he took his revolver out and 
shot liim dead anil said, "You've got it now." It made my blood run 
cold, what little I had, for I was so weak I could not walk. 1 had 
to crawl on my hands and knees. 

I saw a. lot of new prisoners come in one day. They looked 
scared and said they could not live in such a place as that, with 
that bad smell and disease and vermin. They sat down and cried 
like babies to see their co-mrades in such a place and nothing but the 
dry skin drawn over the bones, and I thought I could not long survive 
myself. 

Later on we had an ounce of meat and an ounce and a half of 
corn bread without salt and the water part of the time was green 
vvith filth and at other times red with blood, but one morning when 
1 got up, it had rained all night and just a short distance from me 
there was a stream of nice clear water boiling out of the ground. It 
looked so good it made me shout with joy. It was at the edge of 
the dead linei, so I thoiught^ I would crawl over and get a drink, but 
when I got within a short distance, the rebel guard said: "If you 
tcmcli that water I will put a hole through you ; go and drink where 
you have dnink 'before; it is good enough for you hogs." 

It is hard for anyone who was not there to believe the truth 
as to the hardships and cruelty tliat we suffered in that rebel prison. 
I have often wondered how anyone survived, as poor and weak as we 
were. I saw men in the prison wliO' you could see were just living, 
but the rebels would come in with their wagon, take them by the 
head and feet and throw them in for dead, and if they were not 
(lead by the time they got them to the trench, they would kill them 
an<] throw them in. 

How can we ever forgive such cruel and inhuman monsters as 
Wirz, Wynder and Barretti — the men wlio would take poor starved 
men out of the prison and whip them Avith the cat-o'-nin&-tails till the 
flesh dropped from their bones and then tell the men to take the 
^'iiiik and throw him into a hole. 

Thank God ! I got out after eleven months. I was taken June 
16, 1864, and got out May 16, 1865. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 425 



THE PKISOXEirS STOEY. 



PART V. 

By James F. McNoldy, Company K. 

When the call for men came to our home for volunteers, there 
were four of us working in the same tailor shop. I felt it my duty 
to my country to go, as I was single. I at once started and walked 
from my home to a village in Montgomeiy County, Pennsylvania, 
where Lieutenant Dotts was enlisting men for service, and enrolled 
my name. We remained at the hotel at Greenville for a few days 
and then took the overland route to Millerstown Station, then to Har- 
risburg, where ■we arrived in due time. 

The next day were examined and of course we all passed, good 
as old wheat. There was an officer waiting until we were examined 
who wanted us to go with him, but our good Lieutenant wouldn't sell 
out. He offered big money if we would go with him, but Lieutenant 
Dotts said, ^'JSTo, I'll keep my boys." We met Captain CoTe; he 
lacked eighteen men — just our number — so we decided to go with 
him. This filled the Regiment. We then embarked for Cockeys- 
ville, Maryland, to join our Regiment, which was stationed there to 
guard bridges. We went by the name of the Berks County Dutch. 

One day I was on picket duty along the railroad. I got tired 
carrying my rifle and standing it against a rock, I walked back and 
forth very much unconcerned, when to my surprise, an officer ap- 
proached very rapidly, never smiling, but walked straight to where 
I had placed my rifle and took it and then asked my name, company 
and regiment. I told him very nicely. Then he asked me if I knew 
him. I said I didn't. Said he was Colonel Beaver and wanted to 
know if I knew what my orders were when I was placed on duty, and 
I told him as best I could in my broken Pennsylvania Dutch. "Well," 
says he, "if I had been an enemy, I could have killed you." This 
was my first experience of this kind and it certainly taught me a 
lesson which I never forgot. 



426 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Our first baptism of fire was at Chaiicellorsville, and my file 
cover, whose name was Corp. Ross Kirkpatrick, lost his right arm, 
being hit by a piece of railroad iron. 

We were put on skirmish line behind some logs and in tliis place 
I was wounded in my left arm, but stayed at my post and tried to do 
my best to keep the rebs back. Some one then gave command to 
"Assemble to the left," and about the time we were leaving another 
command was given to "Stay where you are." We did stay to our 
sorrow. One of my company, a man by the name of Melcher Wasser, 
looked back and discovered a rebel officer behind a tree and Wasser 
hollered, "Shoot him; he's a rebel," but we didn't get time to shoot, 
for they came down upon us like thousands of demons, calling us all 
kinds of names, and if any were slow in dropping their things they 
got plenty of help from the rebels. 

They then marched us off to Hotel Libby and hell-hole Castle 
Thunder, thence to Belle Isle to die. Words cannot express our tor- 
ture. I have never seen printing yet that has expressed the suffering 
from hunger and cold, but I was fortunate enough to get out with a 
lot of prisoners and was paroled, after being in seventeen days. We 
Went on boiit at Richmond for White House Landing and there we 
received our transports for Annapolis, where we were placed in camp 
parole. There we stayed for some time with nothing to do but eat 
and sleep. Three other boys and myself, all of Company K, grew 
tired of this and asked for a furlough to go home, but the command- 
ing officer as much as told us to take a "French." We did, starting 
one evening and marching all night along the water. The next morn- 
ing, at the break of day we weren't more than two miles away from 
our starting point. You can imagine our feelings. Well we rested 
that day and that night we went a different route and succeeded in 
escaping pickets and paroles. We got as far as Westminster when 
one of our party became sick, so we decided to give up the trip and 1 
went to town, reported to provost marshal and then brought the other 
boys to town. We remained there a few days, then they sent us back 
io Baltimore with a Sergeant as a gnide to deliver us to provo>t 
marshal for further orders. The next thing we were sent across the 
river and placed in Fort McHenry with rebel prisoners and deserters, 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 427 

but we were not kept there very long. They sent us back to parole 
camp at Maryland. When we arrived at camp we were ordered to 
fall in double line and the commanding officer said, "Now those 
with their uniforms on step three pacts to the front." Then he said, 
"I suppose you know where you belong and where your quarters are, 
so get" — and we did. Some were deserters and some just procured 
citizens clothes, thinking they could get along better. This was of 
no use, it was all up with them — some for good. 

We remained here for a while and finally we were sent to our 
regiments to join the boys again for further orders. I will never for- 
get the pleasant greetings we received from our officers and men. 

While on skirmish line next to State Road, Company K had to 
creep on their hands and knees to establish their line. I heard a noise 
in the bushes but could see nothing on account of the heavy under- 
growth, so 1 motioned for next man to come to me. Just then we 
saw two Johnnies^ coming towards us. I told my ma.te to take one 
and I would take the other, and thai, when I would nod my head we 
would shoot, but to our surprise neither of our guns went off, but 
when the caps snapped you ought to have seen those poor fellows run 
through the thorns and brush. We remained there till some time in 
the night wlien the word was passed from one to the other to with- 
draw, and we did, but we found out afterward that we were left there 
with the expectation of being captured, but fortunately we got out 
all right. 

On May 9th and 10th, at Po River, we had a desperate fight. 
Company K having its full share. We crossed and recrossed this 
river on tree'* that were felled across the stream and forded it. Our 
Regiment fought and held a full Division. At Spotsylvania Com- 
pany K was in the thickest of the fight. Right where we charged up 
to battery I was up to the mouths of their cannon, but this became 
too hot so I ran oif to my left. There was our Colonel and Major 
Fairlamb with a group of about fifteen or twenty. Major Fairlamb 
said, "Come now, boys, we can take those batteries," so we went for 
them again and we did succeed, but we had to give them the butts of 
our rifles. Then over the breastworks we went. I ran down along 
the left and jumped up on the breastworks. There sat two Johnnies 



428 .THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

with fixed bayonets. I punched one of tliem with my bayonet and told 
him to oome out and "g;et." They did, and wanted to know where 
they should "get to." I said, "Right over those works." Then down 
along the works I ran and met a messmate — James F. Weidner. He 
called to me that there was a limber hauled by four horses. He said, 
"Jim, shoot one of those horses." 1 did. I killed the lead horse and 
that stopped them. About this time a iine bay horse ran up to me. I 
captured him and took him across the breastworks towards our line 
and set him free. He did not get very far without being captured. 

Going dow^l along the works again came across another trap 
the Johnnies had set for iis. It was a very deep ditch, about six feet 
deep and six feet wide, with wires stretched along about six inches 
c:S the ground, but I was fortunate enough to get over all right. Then 
after the Johnnies we went. We didn't get very far, for there was 
an open field on the other side of a wood. We passed through and 
this was filled with troops from one end to the other. Our Color Ser- 
geant was right with me and who should Ave spy but two Johnnies 
ccming from behind a large oak tree who ordered us to surrender. I 
told the Sergeant not to give up the flag and theni proceeded to give 
it to them, then we took to our heels and such running as we did down 
through the woods, and across that ditch, with the rebels after us, 
calling for us to stop. We stopped, but not until we got over the 
breastworks that we had captured. 

At Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 1st, 2d, 3d, 0th and 12th, Com- 
pany K,like the rest of our Regiment, had its hands full. On skirmish 
line again :ts usual. We drove their skirmish line across a large field 
tnd followed them, creejung u]i the rise in front of their breastworks. 
Here an officer coninianding the skirmish line got behind a tree, close 
to me, and ordcM-ed us to go ahead. I drew up on him and saiil, 
"Get out from behind that tree and ccme on if you want us to go 
any farther." He came but we didn't get much farther. Just at the 
ph.ee I cross the road, sticking in a fence rail, was a note and it read 
as follows: "If you gain the brow of this hill, dou't go any farther; 
if you do, you will lose every man you have. Signed, A friend." 
We just got about a hundred yards farther and we remained there 
that day and that night. Three other fellows and myself of our Reg- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 429 

iment crawled into a large cedar bu'^li and let nie tell you we xiad to 
keep low. That night we built a fort with coffee sacks filled with 
sand, with cracker box lids for port holes to shoot through, making 
very good use of them. 

The next day we spied a flag right in front of us on their works. 
It didn't stay there ver^^ long, for we shot it down, but it wasn't down 
very long when a big Johnnie jumped upon the works with another 
one. This time Johnnie and flag both fell, Johnnie for good. When 
we saw a rebel down along the line all four of us would fire at him. 
We all fired at once and just as we fired a .ball hit Comrade 
Fleming's gun about or near the second band, and both balls met. 
There wei'e splinters flying in every direction, cutting Fleming in 
his cheek, neck and left^ side. H'e thought I held my rifle too close 
to his cheek and the powder had burned him. He said, "What are 
you doing, .)im?" I said, "xTothing." So after an examination we 
soon discovered what was wrong. A hole in the side of his gun bar- 
rel told the story. 

I must not pass by another incident which happened that morn- 
ing. While looking through my port hole, some one tapped me on 
ray shoulder. I looked around and there stood the Colonel. I told 
him there was a reb down there in front of the fort and he said, "Let 
me look through and let me have your rifle." I stepped back and he 
took my rifle, looked through and shot at the Johnnie, but about the 
same time some one on the other side let loose, the ball coining in 
through the port hole, hitting the siide of a board and then striking 
the Colonel on his left breast, his pocket diary checking the blow. 
He wheeled around and said, "I don't believe I have any business 
here." 

The next day, when they sent the flag of truce over, I had charge 
of our men along the lino we had been fighting. There were a great 
number of our wounded men lying between the lines that w^e could not 
reach. What a terrible sight! The men were as black as negroes 
and swollen terribly. The night before the flag was sent over there 
was one of our boys lying out in front and an officer asked for some 
one to crawl out to him. He was dead, but he wanted to get what- 
ever he had to send home to his family, so I crawled out on my hands 



430 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

and knees, hugging the ground as close as I could, and got everything 
he had, and gave all but his haversack to this man. We confiscated 
its contents. He had a good supply of hard tack and we made excel- 
lent use of it. 

When on skirmish line at Reams Station we had to leave our 
knapsacks and everything behind our breastworks. When we started 
out after the rebs, we drove them across the railroad, through a field 
and into the woods. There we stopped. I got to the edge of a narrow 
strip of timber where I was able to see to the other side, into an 
open field, and saw a mass of troops, so the rebels charged us and we 
had to go back to our line of breastworks, which we had captured from 
them, but when we got back we found a New York regiment in our 
place and they opened fire so we were between two fires. We looked 
for our knapsacks, but they were gone, and we had to do the next 
best and capture the first one we got next to. 

Colonel Broadie ordered us back again. I told him there were 
thousands of rebs on the other side of that house. He just laughed 
at me and said, ^'Move on up to the right." We did. Beaver arrived 
and took command of our Brigade, relieving Colonel Broadie, 
but only to be cut down by a rebel bullet, causing the 
loss of his leg. It was not long till those rebs let loose in 
front of us. Oh, such yelling! On they came through the 
brush and broke our line on the right, coming in behind us. Com- 
rade Hersh called to me to come on and get out of this. Then some 
reb called out, "Surrender." I looked around and there they were 
behind us on the other side of the railroad, having a flag planted. I 
turned and fired one shot into the group, tben took to my heels; didn't 
get very far. I jumped down into the railroad cut, right at the ice 
house and stuck in the mud, hardly landing when a reb drew up on 
me. Ho was going to shodt me, l)ur a rebel Lieutenant drew his sword 
and told him to go abdut his l)usinoss. He said, "Don't you know 
those men are prisoners." So we were pulled out and taken back 
through the woods to where the church stood. Such a sight! We 
traveled over dead and wounded for about a mile. 

K"ow off for Salisbury, ISTorth Carolina. Such a disheartened 
crowd of boys is difficult to descrilx>, as they tramped off to prison. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 451 

The first night in the rebel's care we put up in a large field, no shelter 
whatever and nothing to eat. In the night there was a great storm 
and never have I witnessed sucli thunder and lightning. We were 
completely drenched with the rain and no fire to dry our clothes. The 
next morning we started on our weary march, and as we passed by 
some plantations, the planters would bring their families to the road 
to let them see the Yankees. Somte spit in our faces and called us 
vile names. We had to endure it or take abuse from tlie guard. We 
marched from Petersburg to Salisbury. There were about thirteen 
thousand put into this enclosure at one time. What a sight this was 
with no shelter at first but the broad canopy of heaven. We after 
a while got tents and a great many of the boys dug holes in the ground 
for their shelter. We were all counted off in hundreds and I was put 
in Craig's hundred and the Sergeant who had command of us would 
drain our corn, mush and sou]) till you might term it dish water. All 
you could see in your mug was about a half dozen cow peas and about 
three times that amount of worms and bugs. Things became very 
desperate. There were a few wells in the enclosure, but they were 
pretty dry. If you had a tin can with a string attached that would 
reach to the bottom of a well you were a lucky fellow, but to keep 
such a precious article was another story. 

One day there was a dog at the cook house, but some of the boys 
coaxed him out and dispatched him, so we had mutton for supper and 
it was all right. The Johnnies offered a big reward if anyone could 
tell them what had becomei of that dog, but nobody but the boys that 
ate him knew anything of his whereabouts. The rebels offered all 
kinds of inducements to come out and work for them, but none of our 
boys went. There were some of the New York men went. One es- 
pecially I remember would work all day and when he would come in 
camp in the evening and bring chickens, sweet potatoes and other 
good things. There was always a rush for his tent. As many as 
fifty poor souls would stand outside and wait until he would clean 
his chickens and pare his potatoes, he would throw out the parings and 
entrails and then for a fight. I can only remember of securing one 
set of chicken entrails, although I was a frequent visitor to his tent. 
They used also to haul beef entrails to camp in a cart and dump them 



432 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

off, like they would for a lot of animals. Once when they dumped 
them off, I spied a beef tripe and such a time as I had trying to tear 
that thing. Well, we tugged away but to no advantage, until I got at 
it with an old case knife, about three inches long. I managed to cut 
into, and had a piece almost off when somebody grabbed it with both 
hands and away he went. I made a second attempt, but there was a 
second fellow waiting, so trying again for the third time, I held on 
and cut at the same time and when I found that I had this piece, you 
should have seen m© run. I roasted this over a fire and it was a de- 
licious bite for me, in those days. 

We used to draw three sticks of wood for one hundred men. 
They were about as thick as stovepipe and our implements for 
splitting them were a railroad spike without a head, and a 
stone for a sledge. About this time, scurvy was very bad, 1 
had a very bad case of it. My legs from my knees to my feet 
were full of holes, and my teeth were all loose and 
ready to fall out — all for the want of salt. I had a very nice pipe, 
which I managed to get through without being captured, and one 
day while walking through camp smoking, there was a rebel officer 
stepped up to me and said, "Yank, what will you take for that pipe ?'' 

I said, ''1 would like to take this pipe along home if I was ever 
lucky enough to get there and for that reason I didn't want to part 
with it." He said, "You had better sell it to me. I will give you a 
fair price for it." I asked him what he would give. He replied, 
"Twenty dollars." This was the last thing I had left, but I sold it, 
claiming to this day that that pipe saved my life, for I bought salt 
with my twenty dollars and paid one dollar for a tablespoonful, 
scant measure, but as soon as I began using salt my scurvy got better, 
while thousands of poor boys were dying all around me. 

They tried at first to make us believe that they were burying 
them in coffins, by bringing in a two-horse mule team, having three 
coffins on the wagon, but that didn't go, for they were dying off so 
fast tliat they had to take nine and sometimes twelve on a load. They 
would back their wagon up to the door of a dead house and then four 
would load, three to carry and one on the wagon, they would give the 
poor fellow a swing; one would holler, "Hei-o-hei," and away he 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 433 

would go. One would drag him ahead on the wagon till they had a 
load, then they would haul them out and buiy them, three on a pile. 
I was there at the time the break for liberty was made. Already 
halving five bullet wounds I was knocked down with a sixth, this one 
entering my head, and lying outside of my tent helpless, a rebel with 
a Colt's revolver, on the stockade walk, came up to me and emptied 
seven loads at me. But he was a poor shot, for he never touched me. 
1 looked up at him every time he fired, for I expected that would 
wind it up, but it didn't. Then he called for some one to bring him 

a rifle, saying, ''I can't kill that blue bellied son of a b ," but 

thanks to the good Lord, about that time a kindly hand took hold of 
me and dragged me into a tent out of harm's w^ay. 

B About the time this thing happened, Sherman was giving them 

fits, and the Army of the Potomac had their hands full, but they 
were afraid of our cavalry coming in on them, so they shipped us 
out of there in short order in old stock and box cars. 

''On our way to God's country," the boys used to say. When 

^ we landed in Richmond, the ones that couldn't walk were hauled 
across to our flag of truce boat, but I didn't wait to be hauled. I se- 
cured a stick of wood and used this for a crutch and hobbled along as 
good as I could, being wounded in my left leg and right arm. I got 
to the boat all right. When we sa.w our flag, the first time for about 
four months, there was shouting and crying for joy. They had tables 
set at the landing wath plenty of good things to eat and all free. 
That night we departed for home and arrived at Annapolis, after 
sailing for two nio-hts and a dav. Waen we landed there the band 
came down to the wharf and played some very touching pieces. I 
remained in the hospital until that fall not being able to leave on 
account of starvation and my wounds. When my Regiment was 
mustered out of United States service I was reported killed and T 
suppose there are some of the boys that have never heard any differ- 
ent, but I am still here, enjoying pretty good health. 



THE CORPORAL'S STORY. 

By G. G. Walters, Company K. 

I enlisted August 13, 1862, at Greenville, Clarion, County Penn- 
sylvania. A squad of boys in this community made up our minds we 
would all go to the War together, so the following names were en- 
rolled at Greenville: W. C. Sloan, A. C. Sloan, I. N". Sloan, J. M. 
Sloan, S. H. Sloan, Monson Corbett, Hugh S. Neill, John D. Xeill, 
Dennis Conner, G. G. Walters and J. B. Ferguson. In a few days we 
heard that Mr, Thompson Core, of Curllsville, Clarion County, was 
raising a company and wanted more men. We joined them on the 
condition that Thompson Core would be made Captain, and J. B. 
Ferguson, First Lieutenant of the company. 

On August 18th I left home and came to Curllsville, head- 
quarters of the company. Several of the boys were here and we 
spent some days assisting Captain Core going over the country find- 
ing new recruits. August 26th was the day appointed by the Captain 
to leave for the Army. Forty-two men being present, we were sworn 
into the company by Squire Armitage, of CruUsville, a citizen who 
was very much interested in the organization of the company. After 
thanking the good people of Curllsvillei, who had so well entertained 
us while there, and bidding farewell to our friends, we left in wagons 
for Kittanning on the Alleghany Valley Railroad, this being the 
nearest railro'ad to us, where we arrived at 6 :00 p. m. Stayed in hotels 
over night, and on the morning of the 27tli left for Pittsburg, arriv- 
ing in the city about noon we were marched out to Camp Howe (two 
miles) and placed in barracks, which we called shanties, provided 
for the soldiers during their stay in this camp. 

August 27th we were sworn into the United States service foi 
the period of three years, or during the War. Captain Core, J. Z. 
Brown, and H. C. Courson started back to Clarion County to recruit 
more men for the company. J. B. Ferguson was left in charge of 
the company. September 4th Ave received our Government uniforms 
and at four o'clock marched into the city and boarded train for Har- 
risburg, where we arrived early on the morning of September 5th. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 435 

Breakfast was furnished at the depot by the Relief Society, after 
Vvihich we marched to Camp Curtin, two miles from, the city. 

September 7th Captains Core,Brorvvn and Courson returned with 
sixteen recruits, and by reason of J. B. Ferguson not having a receipt 
tc show that we had been mustered in at Pittsburg, we were re- 
sworn into the service, this time for three years. 

September 9th were were taken to the Arsenal and armed with 
Vincennes rifle muskets, lettered "K," and placed in the 148th Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania Volunteers, under command of a young attor- 
ney from Belief onte, Centre County, Pennsylvania, named James A. 
Beaver, who was appointed Colonel of our Regiment. Captain Core 
started back to Clarion County to recruit more men for our com- 
pany, it not being full. 

September 8th the Regiment was organized, companies being 
placed in order, and then marched to railroad depot and loaded on 
freight cars on the Northern Central Railroad, and the morning of 
September 10th found us at Cockeysville in the State of Maryland 
for the purpose of guarding the railroad. We encamped in a beauti- 
ful grove of timber, and named it Camp Beaver in honor of our 
Colonel. 

September 27th, Captain Core returned with twenty-two recruits 
for Company K, the recruits being from Montgomeiry County, the 
Captain having recruited them at Harrisburg on condition that 
Henry H. Dotts, one of their members, should be Second Lieutenant 
of Company K. 

After guarding the railroad at Phoenix Station for three weeks 
we were relieved by Company C, and we returned to Camp Beaver. 

On October 27th we received twenty-five dollars, state bounty, 
and two dollars enlistment fee. As many of our boys had never had 
so much money at one time it was quite a treat. Company and 
squad drill was the order of the day. 

On Xovember 3d, Rev. J. S. Elder, Presbyterian Minister 
from Greenville, Clarion County, came to visit us. I, with quite a 
good many of our boys, were members of his church, and we were 
glad to see him. lie preached to us in camp on Sunday, ISTovem- 
ber 4th. 



436 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Mr. Phillips, of JohnstoAvn, set up a sutler shop in Camp Beaver. 

On November 29th we had a general inspection of our Regiment 
by Colonel Beaver. The boys whose clothes were not clean aiid 
whose guns were not bright and in good condition were sent to their 
tents with orders to ''clean up." We began to learn by this time 
that the ('olonel was an expert in military discipline and cleanli- 
ness, and was bringing his Regiment up to the standard of disciplined 
soldiers. 

On December 7th we moved into barracks in the border of 
Cockeysville, which had been built for our winter quarters. Weather 
cold and stormy. Two days after this orders came to pack up and 
be ready to move at once. We were on the oars in the evening and 
at five o'clock arrived at Baltimore. From this time until we reached 
the front at Falmouth, the events and experiences of the company are 
identical with and are fully detailed in the stories of other com- 
mands and need not be repeated. 

On December 28th, Monson Corbett, a member of Company K, 
and a messmate of the writer, died of fever in the Field Hospital 
near our camp. He being a young man of excellent cbaracter, a good 
tfoldier who was always ready for duty, and the first taken away 
from the company by death, the sad event cast a gloom in our 
company. On December 29th my deceased messmate was buried on 
a knoll above Fredericksburg, with the honors of war, a volley being 
fired over his grave. I placed a board at the head of his grave, on 
which was inscribed his name, company, regiment, and these words . 

"Here sleeps the brave who sinks to rest 
By all liis country's wishes blest." 

.January, 18(i3, came in warm and pleasant. January iTth. 
Burns! de's Army had a Grand Review. 

-January 27th, John Flick, a member of our company died at 
the hospital of congestive chills, sick but a few hours. 

February 28th, general inspection of Hancock's Division. 

March 14th, three men of our Division had their heads shaved 
and were drummed out of camp for desertion. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLf^ANIA VOLUNTEERS 437 

March 15tli, John A. Lee, meniber of our company, died at the 
hospital. 

March 27th, the Army of the Potomac was reviewed today by 
President Abraham Lincoln on the plains across the railroad below 
Fredericksburg. 

April 27th, general inspection of everything; extra clothing, 
overcoats, dress ooats and large tents were sent away. Six months 
pay today. Sent most of my money home. Some of the boys paid 
as much as two to three dollars for a bottle of whiskey. The 
boys in my mess did not drink whiskey. During this 
winter in camp the soldiers drew rations of whiskey three times a 
week. At first we gave ours away to some Germans in our company 
Soon we found that they had too much so one of our boys found a 
way to get rid of the whiskey. With a large poker with which 
he stirred the fire, he bored a hole in the ground at the corner of 
the chimney inside the tent. Down this hole went our whiskey 
all winter. We called this whiskey coraer. 

April 19th. another inspecition with orders tO' have everything 
ready to move at a moment's notice. With five days' rations of 
meat, crackers, sugar, coffee, and salt in our knapsacks and haver- 
sacks, we left camp on April 28th, and on April 31st crossed the 
Ra]ipahannock River at United States Ford, and marched until 
eleven o'clock at night. 

On the evening of M^ay 1st our Regiment marched out of the 
woods to a cross-roads. Here stood a, large briek house, and tlie 
place was called Chancellorsville. Company K with one other com- 
pany was taken out the pike to support a picket line which was 
firing out in a field. As we marched out the pike the wounded came 
in by us. Blood was dropping from the wounds on the heads and 
fingers of the wounded. The hair of my head was on end and the 
cold chills ran over me at this, our first introduction to the horrors 
of war. 

We soon returned to the Regiment at the brick house. The 
Regiment formed in line of battle in the woods to the left of the house. 
Here we were resting when the rebels sent shells into the woods. 
One of the shells struck the limb of a tree and fell down in our com- 



438 THE 148TH PENNSYLFANU VOLUNTEERS 

panj, breaking tlie arm of Ross C. Kirkpatrick. This was the first 
soldier wounded in Company K, 

On the night of May 2d we built breastworks in the woods to 
the left of the pike, felling trees in every direction in front of our 
works, and were prepared for the rebels who attacked us on the morn- 
ing of May 3d at 7 :00 a, m., coming on a charge yelling like 
savages. We received them warmly and repulsed them easily, leaving 
many of their dead and wounded in our froat I noticed a rebel 
officer coming up in our front on a white horse, urging his men to 
charge on our works. .Several of us took aim, fired and the officer 
and horse both fell dead. We held our line unbroken for an hour 
against several attempts they made. By this time the right of our 
line was driven back and we were ordered to the left ; most of our boys 
obeyed orders. Those who did not were taken prisoners. The main 
body of our Army having been driven back, we "skedaddled" through 
the woods in the direction of the Rappahannock River in great dis- 
order. A panic seemed to have seized the troops, many retreating 
two or three miles. Patrols were sent out in all directions and we 
were picked up and returned to the front and in the evening we 
found our Regiment, which had formed a new line of battle and 
were building breastworks. Captain Core was woiunded today in 
tlie shoulder. Coporal Hugh S. Neil, a messmate of mine and color 
bearer of our company was killed by a musket ball through his 
body and fell into the hands of the rebels. One of Company E 
recovered our flag. Four others of Compan}' K were killed and 
eight taken prisoners. 

May 4th, little fighting. Sharpshooters drove in our picket 
lines, and our batteries threw shells into the woods and the rebels 
ran. Our Army commenced to retreat, and on the morning of May 
6th our Regiment recrossed the Rappahannock River and returned 
to the old camp above Falmouth, wearied and discouraged at the 
loss of a hard fought battle. 

On July 1st we encamped about two miles in the rear of Gettys- 
burg. On the moniing of July 2d we were out early with orders 
to be ready to move. We were marc!hed to the right of Little Round 
Top and were placed in position to support the line whenever and 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 439 

wherever needed. Our Regiment was called into the fight late in 
the afternoon, advancing in line of battle up to and into the wheat 
field. The first soldier I saw dying was Colonel Edward E. Cross, 
5th New Hampshire, Commanding Brigade, who was lying among 
some small bushes on the edge of the wheat field. We advanced 
p cross the field, driving the rebels into the woods beyond. The 
salvation of our Regiment was in the fact that the rebels' aim was 
too high, the bullets whizzing over our heads as thick as falling 
hail. The wheat was yellmv and all trampled to the ground. We 
were relieved in the evening and returned from the field the same 
way we entered it. The report we got stated that our Regiment lost 
about one hundred and thirty men. We marched back to the main 
line and took a new position to the left of a round bunch of trees. 
Here we were ordered to build a new line of strong breastworks, 
which we worked on a greater part of the night. 

On the morning of July 3d we found that during the tiight 
preparations had been made for a great battle. The forenoon of tne 
3d passed in comparative quiet, as far as Hancock's Corps was 
concerned. Previous to ojie o'clock there was profound silence. 
This was thr interval in which the rebels were placing their artillery 
and forming their lines for the grand attack of the third day. About 
this time General Hancock rode along our line encouraging tlie men 
and informed us that the enemy was going to make a charge on our 
line and that he wanted every soldier to stand at his post. About 
one o'clock their signal gun was fired and they opened the battle 
with a most teiTifio canncnade from one hiuidred and forty-five 
guns, which was promptly faiswered by our artillery. This artillery 
light was terrible. We lay hugging the ground in the rear of our 
works, the hot July sun blazing down on us ; the air above us full of 
screeching shells and balls from the rebel lines. The line of fire 
from our e;uns in the rear must have been very close above our heads. 
The shock f i-om our cannon ?.nd the bursting of shells from the rebels' 
guns caused blood to flow from the ears and noses of several members 
cf our eonii)any. During this ^artillery duel there was no musket 
firing. When our guns ceased firing there was quiet and all felt 
certain that the fight would break out again in some shape, but did 



440 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

not know li<nv it would coani. However, it came soon. About seven- 
teen thousand meai who had formed for this charge in the rear of 
tiieir works in the edge of the woods three-fourths of a mile away, 
made their appearance in our front. Emerging from the woods in 
^hrec long double lines of battle, they moved out over their works 
in splendid style. From the location of our Regiment we could see 
the first double line across their works, then caine a second and a 
third line. The long lines of gi'ay moved across the fields toward 
us in perfect order. Berdan's sharpshooters commenced firing, pick- 
ing out their officers — their globe sighted guns being effective at 
long range. Soon our artillery along the line from the cemetery 
to the Liit]e Round Top opened on them with shells, grape and 
canister, and when their lines reached the Emmittsburg Road, our 
infantry cominenced firing at short range. The effect was terrible. 
Great gaps were opened in their lines by our cannon balls. The 
last sight -I remember before the smoke hid our view, was a rebel 
battery coming into position near a brick house between our Regi- 
ment and the Enmiittsburg Road, wliich commenced shelling our 
lines. Thfir lines of infantry were now crossing the road. It was 
about this time that General Armistead, commanding a rebel division, 
reached our lines at the Bloody Angle on our right, and with his cap 
on the top of his sword, leaped the stone wall, followed by his 
men, and advanced over one hundred feet within our lines, where 
he fell dead, riddled Avith bullets. Then came the hand to hand 
conflict at the Bloody Angle, which you read of in history, when 
pistols, swords, bayonets, butts of muskets and ramrods were freely 
used. This lasted only a few moments, when the Johnnies commenced 
to throw down their arms and surrender, over four hundred prisoners 
coming in over the breastworks of the 148th Regiment. Great wa-^ 
the rejoicing over t\\o victory. The prisoners seemed to be starving. 
They asked us to trade crackers for tobacco, whic'h seemed to be about 
all they had in their haversacks. Immediately after the firing ceased, 
two large haystacks in the rear of (uir Regiment were torn down, 
the hay scattered over the ground, and long rows of wounded men 
were laid side by side. 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 441 

This practically ended the battle of Getty sbiiri>-. Lee's Army 
was defeated. The high watermark of tlie Rebellion had been 
reached ; the clump of trees made famous, and the Bloody Angle 
baptized with the blood of the Blue and the Gray. The Union Army 
victorious, but decimated and woim out prepared for much needed 
rations and rest. The Rebel Army, defeated and discouraged, pre- 
pared for retreat, and on the night of the 3d General Lee commieuoed 
to move his heavy trains toward the Potomac. It is said there was 
one wagon train sixteen miles long containing his siok and wounded 
— going in wagons mostly without springs, from which there came 
wails of agony and despair. 

After the battle was over, the writer with others walked up 
the line to the Angle and bunch of trees where the most severe fight- 
ing had been done. Here the sights were sickening. The dead and 
wounded lay all around. Along on our side of the stone fence 
the Blue and tbe Gray were mixed. To the rear all were our men, 
w^hile in front, between the Angle and the Emniittsburg Road, one 
could have almost walked on the bodies of dead soldiers without 
treading on the ground. The rebel pickets in the edge of the woods 
were sending bullets our way, and we were warned to return to our 
Regiment. The shelling having ceased, the boys knew the victory 
was won. There was then great rejoicing along our line. We drew 
ration? and prepared to fill up the inner man. We needed it, as 
we had not had a satisfactory meal since July 1st. During the two 
days we had subsisted chiefly on raw pork and hard tack, but hard 
tack and pork were good. 

In the evening of the third day, I was detailed with others to 
report for duty at Gettysburg. We marched up along the line of 
battle towards the cemetery. Hundreds of dead horses and mules 
lay along the line swelled one-third over their natural size. Most of 
them were artillery horse^', and the straps and traces of harness had 
been out and the cannons drawn away. When we arrived in Gettys- 
burg, all the public buildings, hotels, and many private houses were 
hospitals full of wounded, dead, and dying soldiers of both Armies. 

As the years go by, the oftener I visit Gettysburg, the more 
T am impressed with the memories and cost of that great conflict. 



442 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

The Gettysburg of today is: hallowed with memories that will never 
dJe, and will shine more resplendent as the years go by. Four hun- 
dred and fifty monuments of granite and marble mark the spot where 
regiiiients, brigades, divisions, and army corps have made this 
battlefield the Waterloo of the world. Original breastworks, earth- 
works, stone walls, and shattered trees still remind the visitor of the 
awful carnage. Three hundred and fifty cannons are now in actual 
position to mark the original location of the different batteries. Ac- 
(?ordiiig to estimates of General Hunt, Chief of Artillery, there were 
expended on this field in that great conflict for our Union, about 
five hundred and sixty tons of deadly missiles, including all the 
various kinds of shells, balls, shot and shrapnel known to this coun- 
try and to Euroj>e. Over one hundred and fifty thousand men on 
both sides were engaged. About forty thousand soldiers of both 
Armies were killed, wounded or missing. There lay at one time 
on this field ten thousand dead soldiers and five thousand dead 
horses and mules, and multitudes of turkey buzzards fed on the 
carcasses of the latter for weeks after the battle. 

Pennsylvania had engaged in this great conflict for our Union 
5?ixty-eight regiments of infantry, nine regiments of cavalry, and 
seven batteries of artillery. The 148th Kegiment of Pennsylvania 
Volunteers was organized in 1862 and from its first baptism of 
fire and blood at Chancellorsville in 1863 to the surrender at Appo 
mattox in 1865, the record is a proud one. Our monument of granite 
in the wheat field at Gettysburg wull tell to generations yet unborn 
the list of battles waged for the preservation of our Union. 

The most hallowed spot on the field is the National Cemetery, 
embracing seventeen acres of ground, situated on the highest point of 
Cemetery Hill. Here in this silent city of the dead are buried 
3,590 soldiers who wore the Union Blue, of which number five hun- 
dred and thirty-four are from the state of Pennsylvania. Tn out- 
section alone are buried nine hundred and seventy-nine dead. 

"Cover them over with beautiful flowers. 
Deck them with garlands these brothers of ours, 
Lying so silent: By night and by day, 
Sleeping the years of their manhood away." 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 443 

Will the survivors of the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers, who 
still live to enjoy the privileges of the twentieth century forget the 
memory of their comrades whose patriotism and heroism on battle- 
fields from Ohancellorsville to Appomattox has illumined the pages 
of the world's history, and whose blood has made sacred the soil of 
our country, and above whose ashes now bloom the lilies and the 
roses. Nay, we cannot forget. While these comrades of ours have 
been safely placed in nature's keeping, we who remain will place upon 
ftlieir gTaves tributes of love, and pledges of undying remembrance. 
While we join with loving hearts and willing hands in these festivals 
of the dead let us not forget the old heroes living, left for us to 
comfort and assist. Scatter flowers all along their way through life. 
The loves that were gathered in life will beautify and gladden ihe 
end of our lives with a halo of remembrances that will never die. 

"Oh, men who fought at Gettysburg 

Who wore the Union Blue 

I'll keep my modest clover leaf 

In memory of you, 

And when upon it I shall gaze 

What memories will throng; 

Our cause it was forever right 

Our foes forever wrong. 

Forever wrong: let history point 

To Gettysburg with pride ; 

For freedom triumphed on its fields 

And strangled, treason died. 

Long may the "clump of trees" remain 

Where struggled Blue and Gray, 

And may the three leaf clover bloom 

Forever and a day." 

EATING CHICKEX AT FARMVILLE, VIRGINIA. 

On April 7, 1865, two days before the surrender, we captured 
Farmville, a town noted for manufacturing tobacco. The ware- 
houses were full of manufactured tobacco. After stacking 
arms and breaking ranks, with orders to go for what we could get, 
Dennis Connor a noted forager of Company K captured a chicken. 
He said to me, "Come along, and we will go to the darkey's house 
and have it cooked." There were two colored women who 



444 



THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



said they would cook the chicken if we would get them some tobacco. 
We agreed to this and we both returned to the warehouse, and each 
took a sixtij pound box of manufactured tobacco, and carried it to 
their house and up to the attic, where they said was the only 
place they could keep it from their master. While waiting on onr 
fowl to oook, a fine looking white lady came in, who was introduced 
to us as the owner of the plantation. She was very talkative, asking 
many questions about the Yankees. She said she did not care what 
we would take if we would only leave her her scTvants. She was 
forty-five years old and had never cooked a meal in her life. During 
our conversation I showed her several photographs I had in my pocket 
of the Generals in both Armies. Among them was one of General 
R. E. Lee, commander of the rebel Army. She was an admirer of 
Lee, and politely asked me to give her tlie picture. When I tossed 
it into her lap she starte^d back to her house, and soon returned with 
a tray full of pickles, preserves, and many dainties that looked very 
te^mpting to- boys that had not eaten anything of the kind for about 
three years. By this time the colored women had the chicken, and 
some good bread and coffee on the table, tO' vdiic'h the white lady 
added her dainties. We had a good dinner of what the colored women 
had prepared, but left all on the table the white lady brought, know- 
ing that some of our boysi had been poisoned by eating food prepared 
by southern womfen. She seemed very much disappointed when we 
bade her good-byei 

SLEEPING ON THE FRONT PICKET LINE. 

During a cold rainy day in March, 1863, I worked all day help- 
ing to build a corduroy road in the rear of our camp above Falmouth 
for the artillery to pass over. In the evening when I came into camp, 
one of our boys was detailed to go on picket. Hie was sick. I said 
to him, "I will take your place." Our picket line was on the north 
side of the river below the railroad bridge at Fredericksburg. My 
outpost was at an important poitit. About two o'clock in the morning 
an officer of the line tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Sentinel, 
where is your gun?" 1 opened my eyes and said," It's around here." 
He said, "Tf's it's around here you had better get it." The officer had 
taken my gim out of my hand and set it back of the breastworks be- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 445 

fore he awoke me. He said, ''This is an important oiitpost. How do 
you aceomit for this ?" I said, 'T worked all day yesterday in the 
storm and rain on the road we're building for the artillery to pass, 
and when I came into camp in the evening, one of my messmates 
who was sick, was detailed to go on this picket line. I took his place. 
This is my excuse." He said, "Do you know the penalty of sleeping 
on the outpost ?" ''Yes, sir, I do." He said, "Your excuse is a fairly 
good one. T'ake your gun and never again be caiight sleeping on the 
picket line." For two and one-half years, I never again to my knowl- 
edge slept on an outpost. 

WHAT WE LEAVE TO OUR CHILDREN. 

x\s our ranks grow thinner, as our numbers diminish, as the 
thousands aire crowded off the stage of action, there is coming a new 
generation — one that is saturated witli patriotism and love for the 
old flag. This coming generation is filled with adoration of the deeds 
of their fathers. Entering on and taking possession of our Govern- 
menit, the day will yet come when the proudest boast of ancestry will 
consist in the fact that our fathers bore arms in defense of this great 
country. We may not be able to leave to our children gold, jewels, 
precious stones or wealth, but there is something that money cannot 
hwj, — honor. This is transmitted as 'an heirloom for which genera- 
tions yet unborn will bless us and hold our memoiy in sacred rever- 
ence; while over the fireplace the old sword will be suspended, 
and many an evening whiled away in recounting the heroic 
deeds that reflect honor out from the dim ages of long ago. "My 
father went down in the great battle of Gettysburg. My father stood 
on the brink of starvation in the Andersonville prison. My father 
helped to carry the flag above the clouds of Lookout Mountain. My 
father stood beneath the leaden hail at Vicksburg. My father 
marched with Meade through the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and heard 
the shouts of victory at the surrender of Appomattox in April, 1865." 
These are the priceless relics transmitted to posterity that no thief in 
the night can steal. This is the grand heritage bought with the blood 
and suffering of our fathers which no engraver can counterfeit. 



446 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

LIST OF GOVERNMEi\"T CLOTHING AND PRICE OF SAME. 

Allowance, $42.00 per year. 

if we drew over that amount it was taken out of our montlil}' 

pay- 

If we did uot draw that aiuouut we got the balance in money. 

Pants (mounted) $ 5.90 

Pants (not mounted) 4.75 

Dress coats 12.50 

Overcoats 12.00 

Socks 40 

Cap 1.00 

Sack coat, lined 4.80 

Flannel shirts 2.25 

Knit shirts 2.35 

Sewed shoes 2.70 

Pegged shoes . 2.25 

Woolen blankets 7.00 

Rubber blankets 4.40 

Oil painted blankets 2.65 

Flannel drawers 1.60 

Knit drawers 1.75 

CAMP EQUIPAGE. 

Knapsacks and straps $ 3.10 

Haversacks 85 

Canteen 65 

Camp kettle 1.00 

Mess pan 45 

Hatchet 80 

Axe 1.65 

Spade 1.37 

Shelter tent,-, complete 9.80 

Drum com] lete 7.85 

Fife 35 

Bugle 3.65 

When -worn our any of the above articles could be returned and 
new ones drawn, Every soldier was held responsible and if he lost 
any of the above articles of camp equipage through carelessness had 
to pay for the same. 

NAMES, DATES AND :NCIDENTS OF BATTf.ES IN WHIICH I PARTICIPATED. 

Chancellorsvilie, Virginia, May 2 and 3, 1863. 
Haymarket, Virginia, June 25, 1863. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 447 

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2 and 3, 1863. 
Wapping. Heights, July 23, 1863. 
Kichardsons Fcrd, September 1, 1863. 
Auburn Mills, Virginia, October 14, 1863. 
Bristoe Station, Virginia, October 14, 1863. 
Kelley's Ford, Virginia, November 7, 1863. 
Mine Run, Virginia, ^November 29-30 and Deceonber 1, 1863. 
Morton's Ford, Febniary 6 and 7, 1864. 
Wilderness, Virginia, May 5 and 6, 1864. 
Po River, Virii-inia, May 9 and 10, 1864. 
Spotsylvania Ccnirt House, Virginia, May 12 and 13, 1864. 
Totopotomoy Creek, May 30, 1864. 
Milford Station, Virginia, May 31, 1864. 
l^orth Anna River, May 23 and 24, 1864. 
Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 1, 2, 3, and 9, 1864. 
Jerusalem Plank Road, June 23, 1864. 

Petersburg, Virginia, June 16 and 17, 1864; also 21st and 22d. 
Deep Bottom, Virginia, July 27, 1864. 
Deep Bottom, Virginia, August 14 and 15, 1864. 
Reams Station, Virginia, August 24 to 25, 1864. 
Captured rebel fort front of Petersburg, October 27, 1864. 
Fort Rice, October 25, 1864. 

Fought in front of Fort, Sampson, March 25, 1865. 
White Oak Road, March 31, 1865. 
Hatcher's Run, Virginia, March 31, 1865. 
Gravelly Run, Virginia, March 25, 1865. 
South Side Railroad, April 2, 1865. 
Farmville, Virginia, April 7, 1865. 

Surrender of Lee's Army Appomattox Court House, April 9, 
1865. 

I was never absent from the company except fifteen days home 
on furlough in the winter of 1864. 

At Po River, May 10, 1864, five comrades were shot dead around 
me and sixteen wounded and taken prisoners-. 

June 30, 1863, we marched thirty-two miles with three days' 
rations, forty rounds of cartridges, guns and knapsacks on our backs, 
and went into camp at eleven o'clock at night one mile in the rear 
of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. At Gettysburg July 3, 1863, w£ saw 
the high water mark of the Rebellion. The position of Pickett and 
Longstreet's charge and repulse will always be the central point of 
interest to the visitor on the battlefield of Gettysburg. At Reams 
Station, Virginia, August 25, 1864, a shell bursted near me, a piece 



448 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

of the missile striking my gun on the barrel^ splintering the wood. 
I found myself helpless on the ground with my blouse and vest torn 
on tlie left side. Wlien I regained consciousness I found my cap and 
gim on the ground near me. I was taken to the field hospital, where 
I recovered during the night, and was able next day to return to my 
Regiment, and exchange my broken gun for a new one. 

I never got used to a battle. I always felt timid until after tlie 
first volley was fired. 

May 12, 1864, at the charge of Spotsylvania, Virginia, Corporal 
Levi W. Gibson, of K Company, was wounded in the shoulder. When 
the charge was over 1 assisted him back to the rear. On the 13th of 
August he returned to the Regiment hearty and well on our line in 
front of Petersburg. That evening we got orders tO' march, and the 
same night crossed the James River near Deep Bottom. On the 
afternoon of the 14th we engaged with the enemy when a cannon ball 
came along and took the head off of Gibson clean to the shoulders. 
The same ball exploded and a piece went through Walter Corbett, 
tearing his side away, leaving his lungs bare. He died within twenty- 
minutes. The next day we su]iported the line where the 105th Penn- 
sylvania Regiment had a hard fight. Colonel Craig, of Greenville, 
Clarion County, Pennsylvania, was killed and they carried him back 
on a stretcher. Advancing, we came upon an officer apparently dying. 
We turned him over on his back, and I recognized him as W. W. Barr, 
of Brookeville, Pennsylvania, a Captain of the 105th Pennsylvania 
Regiment. Our Captain detailed the writer and S. H. Sloan to carry 
him back within our lines. Tie had been shot through the back of 
the neck and was bleeding freely. We made him a.s comfortable as 
possible before leaving him. We never saw the old Captain again 
until about twenty-five years after the War at a reunion at Gettys- 
burg. Sloan and the writer were w^alking over the field near the loca- 
tion of Pickett's charge. Sloan said to me: 

"Did you ever hear of the old Captain we carried off the field 
at Deep Bottom and left him to die ?" 

"Yes, he is living somewhere up the Allegheny River." 

At this moment a large robust looking fellow came walking 
towards us. Sloan said : 



THE 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 449 

''That looks like the old boy himself." 

When he came up I saluted him and said, "To what command 
did you belong and what is your name ?" 

"W. W. Barr of the 105th Pennsylvania," he answered. 

"Are you the man who was shot through the neck at Deep Boi- 
tom August 15, 1864?" 

"Yes, sir, [ am the man." 

"Well, here are the two boys who carried you off the field and 
left you for dead." 

The big tears rolled down over his cheek as he said, "I have been 
looking for you ever since the close of the War." 

At Po River, May 10th, advanced our line and had a hard skir- 
mish with the rebels near a river, supposed to be the same river which 
we had crossed. Tn this battle three of Company K were shot dead. 
Benjamin V. Thompson, John Botorf and Adam Wansetler. We 
retreated a short distance, and were shifted around taking up new 
positions until about three o'clock, when the rebels attacked us with 
overwhelming numbers, compelling us to retreat to the position held 
when we first crossed the river. For over one hour here we had desper- 
ate fighting. Several attacks were made but as often repulsed. Com- 
pany K had several men wounded, including our noble Capt. Thomp- 
son Core, and two killed, Dr. J. T. Mast and Benjamin Carle. Doc- 
tor Mast's body lay dead close beside the cannon whose wheel had 
become wedged between two trees. 

The night after the hard fought battle across the Po River, Ser- 
geant W. C. Sloan slept with me under the tent. He was nervous 
and could not sleep. He recounted the losses of the day, named the 
five comrades who had been killed in this battle, and said he believed 
he w^ould share the same fate. But he said, "I will go where duty 
calls. I'll go where the company goes, let come what will." 

When we had captured the Salient at Spotsylvania on the 12th 
of May and the fighting was over, we began to count our losses. Ser- 
geant Sloan wa.s among the missing. ISTothing could be learned of 
him through that day. The next night the rebels retreated, and in 
the morning Dennis Connor and the writer went out over the field to 
look for our missing bovs. We found the Ser2;eant dead lying up 



450 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

against the second line of rebel works, to which, some of the boys had 
advanced in the morning of the charge. We picked up his body and 
carried it down to where the company was located. As we laid him 
dowTi the Captain said, "The finding of Sloan's body over on the sec- 
ond line of works proved that he was the fearless brave soldier that 
we always said he was." We dug a grave, laid his body in, covered 
it with leaves and buried him there. Put a. board at the head of his 
grave with his name, company and Regiment, and Bates' History says 
he was buried in the Spotsylvania Cemetery. 

One of the war relies in my possession today I prize very highly 
is a pocket Bible my mother gave me the morning I left home for 
the Army, which I carried through thirty-four months of service. 

''We've traveled together, my Bible and I, 

Through all kinds of weather with, smile or witli sigh. 

In sorrow or sunshine — in tempest or calm, 

Its friendship unchanging, my light and my psalm. 

''We've traveled together, my Bible and I, 
When War had grown weary, and death e'en was nigh. 
And still throv'gh life's jouniey until my last sigh, 
We'll travel together, my Bible and I." 

To that merciful Providence who led so many of us through 
those days of trial and danger, permitting us to live forty years af tei 
the great conflict, we should render fervent and devout thanks by 
being true patriots and good soldiers of the cross, and by living lives 
that will prove onr devotion to our countrv' and our God. 



THE PIONEER'S STORY. 

By Sergt. Thomas P. Meyer. 

The pioneer corps of the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers waa 
organized May 20, 1863, and consisted of ten men, selected from the 
different companies. They were large, stout, strong and resolute 
men, who enjoyed the honor of marching at the head of so noble a 
Regiment. 

And we felt as though we were an honor to the Regiment, as we 
marched, "proudly" Hve paces in advance, five abreast. The men 
carrying besides the regular weapons and full habiliments of war, 
bright new axes, that glinted in the sun like polished silver. Edges 
without a Haw, and keen, ready to tear or cut dow^n and clear away, 
any obstruction hindering the movements of the Regiment, be: it a 
fence, bush or tree ; lay corduroy roads or build a bridge, and still 
keep up with the Regiment. 

I am sorry that I cannot recall all the men who served in the 
pioneer corps. Without exception tliey were men who, by reason of 
their size, strengtli, general ruggedness, and other peculiar qualifi- 
cations were especially fitted for the hard additional service naturally 
falling to the lot of the pioneers. 

Among the noted men of the corps were Washington Watson 
and William Perry, of Company F; William Long and Greorge Wil- 
liams, of Company D ; Jesse Long and Adam Grim, of Company A ; 
John Morehead, of Company E ; and Christian Lowry, of Com- 
pany C. 

They were all powerful and conscientious men, believing that 
whatever was worth doing at all was worth doing well, and I nevei 
had occasion to criticise tlieir work, or ask them to do any work over. 

The most notable men of this group were Washington Watson 
and William Perry, both over six feet tall, stoiit and strong. Hair 
and l)eards almost snow white, they were remarkable axemen. They 
would go to the woods, select a tree, cut it do\^^l, cut it into logs, split 
them, and with axes only, hew them into the finest planks, "dove- 
tail" notch them, and put up the most handsome officers' quarters 
cabins to be seen in rhe Armv. On one occasion, while on a forced 



452 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

march, we moved through a strip of woods ; the Colonel on horseback 
in front, next the pioneer corps, back of it the Regiment. There 
was confusion among the pioneers; Watson had fallen headlong over 
a stump. He picked himself up, saying, '^I can do better. I will try 
that again." There was a halt. Tlie Colonel sharply asked of me, 
"What is the matter with your men ?" I said, "Watson fell over that 
stump and he has g.me back to show us that he can march over it 
without falling." Just as the Colonel turned he saw big Watson suc- 
cessfully coming over the stump, grinning tkrough the great white 
whiskers that covered his face to the eyes. The Colonel also grinned, 
turned his horse, and the Regiment again moved. Watson was all 
muscle and weighed over two hundred pounds. 

Perry also over six feet was rugged and strong. On the morn- 
ing of July 3, 1863, at Gettysburg, I disbanded the pioneer corps, 
and sent the men to their respective companies for the last day's 
battle, which they all preferred. There were none of the pioneers 
killed at Gettysburg ; but Perry was badly wounded and I never saw 
him again. William Lone and Jesse Lone* were also large and strong 
men, faithful in the performance of their duties. Jesse was a suc- 
cessful and willing forager. If there was a Confederate gander anv- 
where around he would find him and get him too. 

Adam Grim was not as tall, nor as heavy as some of the rest, but 
was solid, compact and wiry, brave and resolute. He was also ever 
ready to do his full share of the arduous work falling to the lot of 
the pioneer corps, yet to some degree he lacked the staying quali- 
ties of the larger and stronger men. 

John Morehead was a big, heavy, strong man, of a quiet disposi- 
tion, resolute and ever ready for his full share of service, with either 
pick or spade, gun or axe. With the latter he Avas possibly the equal 
of Watson or Perry. He was killed by a tree falling on him. Very 
few were killed in this way, at which we wonder when we think ho\N 
the trees were cut down by hundreds, often in the darkness of night, 
while the forest swarmed with soldiers. 

Christian Lowry was of good size, heavy set, strong and wiry ; 
cool and daring, ever ready and like the rest of the corps, willing 1o 
swing either axe or gun. 



J 



THE J48TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 45S 

I was the youngest of the gang (twenty years) and often felt 
delicate about giving orders to men so muck older. But they were 
all very courteous and obedient, except once when they were all balky. 
That was on the battlefield ait Grettysburg, July -i, 1863, while we 
were burying the dead. They tired of their dreadfully gruesome job. 
The pioneers of the 148th Pennsylvania were the only workers left on 
tlie field, as far as we could see. This was strange and unfair ; the 
conditions, too ,were most disagreeable and dangerous. The horrible 
condition of the dead men and horses ; the indescribable an'^ suffocat- 
ing stench ; the frequent dreadfully heavy showers of rain ; the great 
heat of the sun between showers ; the Confederate sharpshooters in 
great numbers hid in tlie trees beyond the Emmititsburg road kept the 
bullets whistling about us all the time adding danger to the gruesome 
job. Though the bullets buried themselves in the ground all about Ub, 
and whistled by continually, none of -the pioneers were hit on this 
day. I did not blame the men for "striking;" the mutiny lasted only 
about thirty minutes, when discipline was restored and the men were 
all at work as before, entirely indifferent to repulsive conditions and 
flying bullets. 

As stated before, the pioneer corps was organized May 20, 
1863, with ten pickeJ men from the companies of the Regiment, 
whose main qualification was to be first-class axemen, wdiile I was 
installed as Corporal commanding, notwithstanding it was Sergeant's 
duty. The men were furnished with additional weapons, in the shape 
of good poll axes, and digging tools, which implied additional hard 
work, which did not exempt us from any of our former duties, when 
time allowed ; so in addition to drills, reviews, inspections and pa- 
rades, we dug wells, dug up stumps, built quarters, cut wood, built 
corduroy roads, fortifications and bridges, cut new roads, barricaded 
old roads, destroyed property, buried the dead, etc., etc. ; and on 
marches w^e marched at the head of the column in order to be in a 
position to clear away obstructions; and on battle occasions we 
pitched aside all superfluous tools and with rifles only, formed our 
little line of battle back of the colors, the center of the Regiment, and 
close up to the Regimental line, a point of special peril, as the colors 
always drew a concentrated fire. 



454 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

The duties outside the regular military duties falling to the lot 
of the pioneers will be better understood by noting how they were 
employed. 

May 21st and 22d, we built new quarters for the Colonel. 

May 23d: Clearing the regimental parade ground of stumps 
and brush and leveling up the ground even as a floor. 

May 26th: Had the pioneer corps and the regiment team out, 
cutting and hauling poles and brush, and building shade arbors 
around the regimental hospital, and making changes and improve- 
ments inside, conducive to the comfort of our sick. 

May 27th: Hail the boys working on the parade ground and 
beautifying the camp by removing every bush and unsightly object. 

May 28th : Pioneers turaed out with axes and guns, with the 
Regiment on division review in the forenoon ; in the afternoon I had 
Uiem out chopping and removing stumps from the camp. This work 
we continued daily to June 2d, when we joined our respective com- 
panies in the first drill since the battle of ChancelloTSville. 

June 3d : We finished the digging of a twenty-foot well, for 
the Regiment, rigging it in the usual way of army wells, high "crotch 
posts," and long "sweej)" or tilt poles, to which we attached dip poleSj 
with camp kettles to the dip ends, and heavy stones to the butt end 
of the tilt poles ; we put three of these tilts to this well and then had 
plenty of good water right in our camp. 

It might be stated here, that, though we were not sure of our 
staying at any place for even twenty-four hours, all work in and 
about camp was well and carefully done, with a tone of permanency 
that would indicate a whole year's stay. 

By June 1st, there was not a stump, brush or stone remaining 
anywhere in our carr p. Regimental and company headquarters were 
models of their kind, and our camp was one of the finest in the Army. 

June 4th, 5th, Bjh and 7th, my pioneer band was at work at the 
brigade bakery, where we built a new bake oven, and a bread ware 
house. The oven arch consisited of a half cylinder of heavy boiler 
iron, fifteen feet long, six feet in diaineter with a capacity of three 
hundred twenty two-ounce loaves. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 455 

We constructed tlie oven by running a level into a hill, leveling 
and beating the bottom for a hearth, laid with brick, then turning the 
iron arch on this hearth, covered it over with a few feet of ground, 
and built a chimney of stone to the rear end, while a plate of boiler 
iron with a hinged door completed the front. 

For several days the vast encampment of the Army was in great 
commotion ; the pioneers drilled with their respective companies, in 
hourly anticipation 1 f a general move. 

June 13th: Quiet seemed restored, and I took the pioneers to 
regimental headquarters, where we were improving the Adjutant's 
quarters; but while we were so engaged I received orders to report 
at the regimental commissary with the men ; I did so, and our occu- 
pation was immediately changed. Here we began the destruction of 
all kinds of supplies that we had in excess of what we could take with 
us on a march ; coffee, sugar, rice, beans, etc., in great quantities 
were dumped into a small stream nearby, while pork, crackers, bread, 
•etc., were stacked up ready to burn. All day of June 14th this work 
continued, the pack up call was sounded, and we struck our tents 
and packed up, set fire to the commissary stores and waited for "right 
of way." Seemingly endless columns of troops, wagon, pontoon, 
artillery and ambulance trains, were rapidly moving north on all 
available roads and open fields, east and west of us; night had set in 
when we filed out of our beautiful camp and joined in the great and 
famous march to Gettysburg. 

Our Division took the Stafford Court House road ; we marched 
till 10:00 p. j\i., when we halted and lay down on our rubbers, and 
rested a few hours. 

June 15th, two o'clock in the morning we resumed the march, 
reached Stafford Court House, a small village, the county seat of 
Stafford County, Virginia, at noon and halted for coffee and crackers, 
"dinner." The jail and court house with all its contents and records 
were fired and burned to the ground, and T wondered at tliis act of 
vandalism. 

It seldom happened that the pioneers marched in the rear of 
the column, as was the case on June 16th, when I was ordered to 
take them, and with axes only, to follow in the rear, to destroy all 



456 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

abandoned property, such as commissary and ordnance stores, wagons, 
clothing, aminunition, etc. We made bonfires of tons of i>ork and 
crackers, heaped over with thousands of overcoats, uniform coats, 
blankets, shelter tents, knapsacks filled with clothing- and all manner 
of miscellaneous articles of use to the soldier, in immense quantities, 
thrown away by the less rugged soldiers, and left in broken and 
abandoned wagons, and by jaded teams; the spokes were cut out ot 
the wheels of abandoned wagons, tlie tongues were cut in two, and 
the wagon and contents fired ; we heard the explosion of the ammu- 
nition in burning wagons, even after we were miles away. 

The telegTaph poles were cut do^\^l, and the men with blunt edge 
axes, cut the wire in pieces. This work detained us and fatigTied the 
men so much, that, when night came on we were miles in rear of the 
Army ; we marched as rapidly as the men in their fatigued condition 
were able, till late in the night in our effort to overtake our Division, 
and escape Moseby's rebel guerillas, who always followed the wake of 
our moving Army. There was no hope for those who fell into their 
hands — sick, Av'ounded or whole. It was midnight and we could go 
no farther ; we lay do^m. An hour later ambulances sent back to 
bring us in, reached us and carried us to the bivouac of our Division 
on the Occoquan Kiver, which we reach,ed toward morning. 

The march was continued daily, and on the morning of June 
17th we reached the vicinity of Fairfax Court House, where we found 
roads bad ; therefoi-e on the morning of the 18th the pioneei*s of the 
entire Division, about one hundred and thirty men, turned out and 
worked all day. We corduroyed a long stret^di of road toward Fair- 
fax Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad for the passage 
of artillery and wagon trains. A corduroy road is tlie roughest road 
imaginable. 

At 5:00 p. yu, June 19th, we left our bivouac a.t Fairfax and 
moved via Centeiwille, Bull Run battlefield, the Manassas Railroad, 
Gainesville, Gainesville battlefield to Tlinroughfare Gap, in the Bull 
Run mountains, which we reached at midnight after a tedious mean- 
dering march of twenty miles, thro\igh deep mud and steady rain. 
The I^nll Run ])iitrl('tiel(l ])vesente<l many marks of the ill fated 
battles of ISfil and 1862. 




WASHINGTON WATSON 



1 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 457 

The unburied remains of men and horses lay scattered all over 
the field, and among the bushes bony hands and feet were seen pro- 
truding from the ground in beckoning attitude. Bones from all parts 
of the human anatomy were to be seen everywhere; skulls in great 
numbers. These we took up and- wiggled out some teeth preferring 
those with gK>ld fillings for mementoes. 

All the skulls' we examined were remains of very young men, 
many having every tooth and all sound. In some of these skulls the 
third molars were still absent, showing that the soldiers were still 
under eighteen years of age. 

We saw several grinning skeletons, still entire, lying on the sur- 
face of the ground still partially clothed in the blue uniforms, shoes 
<tn the bony feet and the accoutrements of war still in place. 

Our Division, the First of the Second Corps, occupied Thor- 
oughfare Gap, June 21st to 25th, 

On the morning of June 23d, I was ordered to take the pioneers 
into the gap, which most of the way, is a narrow defile, with heavily 
timbered sloping sides, and to barricade the roadway in a "thorough 
manner." I took the men as directed with axes only, into the gap 
and for a long distance we cut every tree in reach into and across the 
road, while a brigade had taken position bej'ond to protect us in our 
work. It was wonderful (to see how these expert choppers kept the 
trees crashing into the road, and how cheerfully they worked, in the 
heat of summer weather completely soaked with perspiration. 

There were many cherry trees loaded with ripe fruit and we 
de^:ided to have some. Several pioneers cut down a tree and began 
to eat cherries; a few of us climbed into a tree. We were all very 
busy when one of those lofty provost ofiicers on horseback rode up and 
shouted, "Come down, or I will shoot you down !" I looked dovni 
and saw that he pointed a revolver at me. His gun seemed dangerous, 
so I came down and said to him, "Captain, we are your prisoners ; no 
doubt you outrank General Hancock^ by whose orders we were de- 
tailed to do some work out here ; we are the pioneers of the 148th 
T*ennsylvania Volunteers." Turning to the men I shouted, "Fall 
in, boys!" They quickly responded, each with an axe; the great pro- 
vost looked along the line. He seemed puzzled, then said, "I took 



458 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

you for stragglers, the devil take you," and as he galloped away we 
gave him a rebel yell, then finished our repast of cherries and re- 
turned to camp. 

June 25th: We had evidently finished our mission at the Gap. 
Artillery firing was heard a feAV miles out; all was now commotion. 
We packed up and moved out to Hay market; we formed in battle 
order and waited for developments. General Stuart's cavalry of 
the Confederate Army now reached the slo]>e of the Bull Run Moun- 
tains, just below Thoroughfare Gap, and opened a brisk artillery fire 
on us, killing and wounding a number of our men. Our batteries 
promptly ruslied into position and opened a terrific fire in return and 
the Confederates were soon silenced ; we withdrew, and throwing for- 
ward Companies A and I as skirmishers and flankers, we moved 
rapidly and continuously through steady rain and deep mud, twenty 
miles to Gum Springs, whicli we reached about midnight, and 
bivouacked in the mud, lying on our rubbers to await the coming of 
the morning. 

During the forenoon we crossed the northern part of the famous 
Bull Bun battlefield, passing Sudley Church, Sudley Sulphur 
Springs, and crossed Bull Run at Sudley Ford. The 148th Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers in front with scouts and skirmishers in advance. 

The pioneers cleared an old ro'ad over the spurs of Sudley Moun- 
tain, southwest of Sudley Mills for the artillery. It rained all day ; 
tihe mud was something appalling. Trains were moved with the great- 
est diffioulty ; the light artillery made out to pull through this new 
mud road, but when the heavy thirty-two pounder long Parrott gun 
battery tried the road the movement stopped. The first gun stuck in 
the mud. Teams from other guns were brought forward, till twenty^ 
four horses were hooked to the one gun, but they could not or would 
not pull it out. The nearest column of infantry was halted, and the 
148th Pennsylvania Volunteers was ordered over to help them out. 
The Regiment stacked arms and unslung knapsacks ; the horses were 
all taken away and a heavy rope one hundred and fifty feet long was 
fastened to the gim ; tlie Regiment lined up in the road, which was a 
stream of mud for which, however, they cared not, as no more mud 
could hang to their shoes or pant legs, and the shoetops could not gei 
any fuller. With some grumbling the men lazily took hold of the 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 459 

rope from both sides ; all ready, and the word came to "go.'^ The rope 
straightened and stiffened like a bar of iron and the cannon moved, 
rising high on root or rook, this side or that, or both, to plunge down 
again axle deep in mud, the axles loudly pounding in tlie boxes. 
There was no halt till the top of the bluff was reached. In 
this way gun after gun was drawn up by the 148th Pennsylvania Vol- 
unteers till the entire battei-y stood on the top of the hill. The horses 
six to a gun were again hooked on, the Regiment returned to its place 
in the column and all was once more on the move. 

June 26th moved to Poolsville, Maryland; 27th to Sugar Loaf 
Mountain; 28th to Frederick; on the 29th to Uniontown, and on 
July 1st 9 :00 p. m. we bivouacked four miles from Gettysburg, 
Pennsylvania, in line of battle. 

We were now close up to the Confederate Army. W© realized 
that we were upon the field of an impending great battle. The 
battle had really already commenced. During the day, though we 
could not hear the noise of battle, we saw the white powder smoke 
of battle rise in great clouds far away to the northward and drift 
slowly along on the light breeze. The boys became quiet, and medi- 
tative. We stacked anns, threw off knapsacks, accoutrements and 
coats, and commenced building a parapet along our front. The sky 
cleared and the moon shone brightly. The pioneers felled the trees 
and the troops carried and placed them in position. The gray dawn 
of coming day tinged the eastern horizon, when we pronounced our 
work finished. 

Early on the morning of July 2d, after a hurried lunch of 
crackers only, we filed out of our position and marched rapidly about 
three miles toward Gettysburg, when we reached the battlefield and 
were assigned a position in the great line of battle, seven miles long, 
on the now historic "Field of Gettysburg," near the "Clump of Trees'* 
and the point now known as the "Bloody Angle." The Confederates 
on Seminary Ridge discovered our approaching columns, kept up a 
vigorous shell fire on us during the last mile's march. 

Squads of frightened citizens, men, women and children, carry- 
ing bandboxes and packages of hastily gathered valuables, who had 
abandoned their homes between the lines, were running by us to find 



460 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

places of safety to our rear. One party, passiiifij right along our 
column, consisted of an old gentleman leading a little girl by the 
hand on each side, and two young ladies carrying bandboxes, one also 
leading a child, running close by me. I said, ''Good morning, 
father," He gloomily responded. I said, "Fine morning." He an- 
swered, "Yes truly, but so full of terror and sorrow ;" tears were in 
his eyes as he raised his hand toward our column and said, "God 
bless and spare you all." Again they ran. They had just passed 
our point in the rapidly moving column when a twenty-four pound 
rifle shell came screaming through the air and exploded with a fright- 
ful report over them. I looked back to see if they had escaped ; the 
two ladies had fallen. After some effort they regained their feet 
and ran faster than before, apparently all right. They had been 
knocked down by the force of the concussion only. 

According to orders received at eleven o'clock at night, I took 
the pioneers of the Regiment, with picks, shovels and sperm candles, 
back to an open air field hospital, behind a rocky bluff on Rock Creek, 
a mile to our right rear where several thousand wounded had been 
carried duringthe day while the battle was in progress, to sort the dead 
from the living and to bury them. We reached the hospital designated 
and found acres of ground covered with wo\mded, and among them, 
many who died after being brought here from the field. The pioneers 
of the 148th were the only men on duty at this point during the 
night. 

AVe lit our candles and examined the situation. This was an 
awful place. The most able writer could not give the slightest shadow 
of an idea of this dreadful cnarnel scene; the awful sigilits in the 
wheat field and death valley thickly strewn over with weapons, can- 
non, broken gun carriages, thousands of dead men and horses, mutil- 
ated in all manner of form and degree, when we left it in the early 
evening was incomparable behind this scene of suffering and death. 
Here the dead and wounded lay promiscuously side by side,- and close 
together, in long rows, on the bare wet ground, the feet of one row 
nearly touching the heads of the next row, the Union and Confeder- 
ate in separate rows. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 461 

All was darkness; not a torch or candle burning. For 
some unknown reason, there were no surgeons in attendance 
on the wounded at this place during this night, at least not 
friMii midnight to 3:00 a. m., during which time we were at 
work there ; yet about half of them had their wounds dressed, 
lying on the bare ground, unsheltered, uncovered, .many of them 
nearly naked. Here the men in hundreds of oases dressed each other's 
wounds, making bandages out of their drawers taken from tlieir 
bodies for the purpose. Many a soldier gave drawers and shirt from 
his body to bandage the wounds of his comrades. Men wounded in 
the legs had the pant legs cut off, some close to tlie body, leaving the 
leg entirely naked ; in the same way arms, chest, all parts of the body 
naked and uncovered. There were no blankets or tents, absolutely 
nothing. Many lay entirely helpless in the scorching soin and rain 
till the skin was scalded and bunied into pealing blisteirs in the faces, 
and worse in the parts of the body, tender and unaccustomed to ex- 
posure to the sun. 

We found, by the dim, light of our sperm candles, many of the 
148th boys. Some had tlieir wounds dressed and were sleeping 
soundly, among them Amos Erhart, of Company A, like the rest, 
few clothes, no cover, with a nasty hole through the thigh just 
grazing the femoral artery ; the pant leg cut off at the body, 
shoe and stocking gone, the naked leg as cold as ice, his head 
much lower than his body, the wound nicely dressed and not 
bleeding. He was sleeping quietly, and as soundly as anyone could 
in the best bed. I put a. flat stone under his head to put him in a 
more comfortable position and stop the rattle in his throat. Mauassas 
Gilbert, also of Company A, was found here sitting on the ground 
with his back against a tree, with a bullet in his shouldeir, but wide 
awake. Deep moans of agony in continuous chorus, were heard, but 
in all this vast number of desperately wounded men ther© was not a 
tear or a single noisy outcry. 

Some of my men carried out the dead and laid them in rows, 
heads all one way, and on© against the other. About the third man 
carried out was the tyrant commander of our Brigade, Colonel Cross, 
of the 5tli New Hampshire Regiment, killed in the woods near the 



462 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

wheat field. We did not bury him. Some of the men buried the 
dead thus laid in rows ; la shallow gra.ve about a foot deep, against tlie 
first man in a row, and he was then laid do^vn: into it; a similar grave 
was dug wheire ^""e had lain. The ground thus dug up served to cover 
the first man, and the second was laid in a trench, and so on, so the 
ground was handled only once. This was the regular form of burial 
on OTir battleifiekfe ; it is the most rapid, and is kno\\ni as trench 
burial, and is employed where time for work is limited. 

At about three o'clock in the morning, our candles were all 
burned up and we returned to a similar field liospital, just to the rear 
of our "division battle lines, with about twelve hundred wounded. 
Here we lay down for a, short rest ; we had had little chance for rest 
or sleep day or nigiht for two weeks, and we were very much fatigued. 

Here tlie wounded seemed to be in greater distress. The endless 
and louder moans were indicative of intense suffering. The voice of 
a boy was heard in prolonged loud wails and screams, high above the 
rest. His voice became hoarse and husky, but as morning came he 
was more quiet, and a little later entirely still. I imagined he had 
fallen asleep. As soon as it was light enough I went over and asked 
the wounded lying near, "Where is the boy that was in such agony 
during the night?" A wounded soldier raiised himself on his elbow, 
pointed over a few others and said, "That is him ; he is now dead." I 
went over to him. He was a boy about sixteen, smooth faced as a 
woman and bandsome. He was dead ; one of his feet was torn into 
an unrecognizable mass of flesh, bone and sinew. GangTene wau 
evidently the immediate cause of death. Early amputation would 
have saved the boy's life. Here many had died of their unattended 
wounds during the night. 

Many of the badly w^ounded were ehlorofonned to have their 
wounds dressed. When the operations were finished they were car- 
ried away, and laid out on the ground. There was no time to assist 
thorn in resuscitation, and many never woke again. ]\Iany strangled 
to death for the want of a little assistance at the proper time. 

July 8d : The pioneer corps held a council of war, and de- 
cided that it was preferable to fight with our respective companies, 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 465 

rather than in the rear of the colors, so we disbanded and joined our 
companies for the balance of the fight. 

Early in the morning General Hancock examined the line of 
the Second Corps and ordered the line fortified. 

About 8 :00 a. m. entrenching tool wiagons dashed along our 
.lines, and shovels, picks and axes were thrown out while the wagons 
rushed along the line at a furious sipeed. We immediately went to 
fortifying ; men never worked harder or faster, or with greater good 
will than the Second Corps boys did under a broiling July sun, from 
8 :00 to 11 :00 a. m., when we called our work finished. We had built 
a six-foot breastwork a few feet high and well lined, or backed with 
rails, well supported by stakes. 

To our right and left as far as we could see, hundreds of tat- 
tered and battle-worn flags fluttered defiantly above the lines of their 
hundred thousand brave and resolute defenders. To the rear of this 
were seen the beautiful flags and banners of the various headquar- 
ters unitedly presenting a scene iSo great and grand as to be 
beyond description. 

We were ready. x\nd our whole line of battle as far as we could 
see to the right and left were now standing on top of our work watch- 
ing the enemy locating batteries along their line on the Enamittsburg 
Road ridge. We ate a few crackers while we waited; we were 
hungry. I said, ''Boys, watch my outfit while I run down the Taney- 
town Road for something good to eat. I think I can make the trip 
before the thing begins again." I struck out and ran a mile 
when I oame to .a fairm house. They hiad just taken a, batch of fresh 
cherry pies from the oven. I bought a number nearly a foot in diam- 
eter, "two for a quarter," put them on a board and hurried back. I 
ran out and back, covered the two miles in twenty minutes ; returned 
pufiing, overheated and wet with perspiration. Sharing with' the 
boys, Ave had a grand feast and were again standing with the rest on 
top of our breastworks. Another hour passed: we wanted the 
enemy tio come at us so we need not cross the open field to meet them. 
About 1 :00 p. M. the white powder smoke and fire of all their bat- 
teries suddenly flashed forth all along their line and we quiokly 



464 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

dropped behind our works. The ball was o^^ened. The concussion of 
an exploding shell knocked half a dozen of us sprawling. Most 
of them jumped up ; I lay still. "Are you hurt," my comrades asked. 
"I guess I am done for," I said. "Just look at my back." They 
carefully examined my back and assured me that I was all right ; that 
it could not be very serious witli me, from the fact that my coat was 
not torn. I crept back to mv place thanking my lucky stars that my 
coat was not torn. We were all fearfully stunned ; I felt as if I was 
tora in two. Many similarly stunned by exploding shells suffered in- 
stant death ; but the relief 1 experienced when told that my coat was 
not torn I cannot describe. 

General Armistead led the van of "Pickett's Charge," and struck 
our line just to the right of the 148th near the clump of trees at the 
"Bloody Angle," so called by reason o'f the heavy losises on both sides 
in the terrible fighting which took place at this point, and which is 
known as the "high water mark of the Rebellion." 

The "Bloody Angle" consisted of a sharp turn forward, by the 
"Clump of Trees," the objective point of Pickett's charging column, 
to a stone fence, not two feet high, mostly boulders. Here Pickett's 
line, under General Armistead, struck and broke the Union line in 
a most desperate hand to hand conflict that ebbed and flowed back 
and forth over this stone wall, while the 14Sth being close observers 
of this bloody contest, shouted and cheered our men when tliey 
crowded the enemy back, and beyond the stone wall. But the crisis 
bad now come and for a little whiile it seemed a& if our center wa-^ 
permanently broken, when we saw Genei-al Armistead leading, with a 
rush, a body of his men through our lines, which seemed stunned at 
this bold move. Firing had slackened : Ainnistead rushed up to one 
of our guns, laid his hand upon it and shouted, "This is our gun; 
come, boys !" These were the last words he ever spoke. That instant 
he was shot dead. The men who had S'O bravely followed him, seeing 
this, seemed bewildered threw do-\\ni thei; guns and surrendered. This 
was the end of the fight at this point, and the Union troops gave a pro- 
longed, hoarse, loud shout that seemed to thrill earth and sky. For a 
brief period a fierce artillery fire was kept up by the Confederates to 
cover the retreat of Pickett's men, thousands of whom had thrown 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 465 

down their arms in front of the Second Corps, whose lines they had 
not quite reached, and stood still on our side of Plum Run, unde- 
cided. Not a shot was fired at them ; we loudly shouted, "Come in 
and sun-ender or we will fire on you." Still they hesitated. An Aide 
wasi sent out to tell thiein thiati they must come in at once, or receive 
the fire of infantry and artillery. Thousands of them now rushed 
up the slope and over our breastworks passing to the rear as pris- 
oners of war. With this virtually ended the battle of Gettysburg. 

It was all over at 4 :00 p. m. and the all absorbing tlieme tlien 
was, what next? Tbe balance of the afternoon and major part of the 
nigiht was spent in repairing damiages, oaring for the wounded and 
burying the dead — men and horses. 

On the moOTiing of July 4th', according tO' orders, I reassembled 
my pioneers and took tbem out on the field of Pickett's^ charge and 
fight to bury the dead, T'he field presented a dreadful sight ; the dead 
were already in a terrible state of putrefaction. Faces black as char- 
coal and bloated out of all human semblance ; eyes, cheeks, forehead 
and nose all one general level of putrid swelling, tiwice the normal 
size mth here and there great blisters of putrid water, some the size 
of a man's fisit on face, neck and wrists ; while the bodies were bloated 
to the full capacity of the uniforms that enclosed them. 

It was a rare ocouwence toi find one who had not" been robbed 
by the battlefield bandit or robber of the dead. Generally the pockets 
were cut open and rifled through the incision. The battlefield rob- 
bers ■were well known by the large amounts of money they had, auid 
the watches, pocketbooks, pocket knives and other valuable trinkets 
they had for sale after the battle. All regiments had them. 

First we collected tbe dead men into rows, asi usual, laying one 
against another, heads all one way. Union and Confederate 
in separate rows. Then some would collect and arrange in rows while 
the majority of men buried tliem in trenches as heretofore described. 
These burial trenches were dug here, there and everywhere over the 
field and contained three or four or fifty as the number of dead near 
required. Few of these men had anything about them by which they 
could be identified, and were buried as "unknown." 



466 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

The Confederates istill (July 4th) had sharpshooters in the 
trees beyond the Emmittsburg road, and several times dnring the day 
they drove ns off the field. The day was hot, sultry with frequent 
heavy showers. The stench on the battlefield was something indes- 
cribable, it would come up as if in waves and when at its woi-st the 
breath would stop in the throat; the lungs could not take it in, and a 
sense of suffocation would be experienced. We would cover our faces 
tightly with our hands and turn the back toward the breeze and 
retch and gasp for breath. 

The dead were found in all mamier of positions, lying, sitting, 
isolated, in groups, in heaps. Many there were without a visible 
wound or mark to cause death. Down beyond the "Bloody 
Angle," there remained standing a few panels of post fence, only 
the lower rails remaining. Against this a smooth faced soldier boy 
ivas sitting, his elbow resting on the second rail, his head resting on 
his right hand, his head upright the face turned toward us. Thinking 
he was >sick or wounded I went out to offer assistance, and found he 
was dead. We examined him and found he had been shot through the 
left breast, in the hand to hand fight at the "Bloody Angle" with 
Pickett's men the day before, then sat down just as we found him, 
and died without a struggle. Being perfectly poised he did not even 
roll over. There was nothing about him by which he could be identi- 
fied. His accoutrements were all still in place, his cartridge box 
nearly empty. 

During tlie great cannonade of the 3d, a bam opposite the Sec- 
ond Corps gave shelter to Confederate sharpshooters and a masked 
battery. On this discovery I heard a Lieutenant in Rickett's Battery 
give the command "to fire the ham." In fifteen minutes it was in 
flames and was wholly destroyed. After the battle ended, the ruins 
were visited by the Boob boys of Company A, 148th, and others, who 
found that it had been used by the Confederates as a hospital and 
Contained many of their wounded at the time, and who were burned 
with the barn. The boys looking for relics in the ashes, found quite 
an amount of gold coin in two and one-half, five, and ten-dollar 
pieces, among the bones and ashes of the buimed Confederates. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 467 

While the pioneers were engaged in burying the dead, other 
details were engaged in clearing the field by gathering arms, accou- 
trements, etc. About four tiliousamd muskets were gathered up in 
wagons from the field of Picketit's charge and fight, and ranked up 
like cord wood. 

The field was thickly strewn with kniapsacks containing the 
sundries of a soldier's outfit. BJaversiacks filled with biscuits and 
sweet cakes, the proceeds of forages among the people of Pennsyl- 
vania; blankets, tents, hats, coats, caps, belts, swords, letters, port- 
folios, books, bibles, testamenits, playing cards, etc., etc., scattered 
everywhere. The day wore on. Our skirmishers were advanced ; no 
enemy in force was found ; our work at Gettysburg was finished. 

Citizen visitors in fliOcks came to' see the field and Army. A 
number inquired of me to know why the soldiers talked so very loud 
to each other ; so fierce, when they seemed not angry with each other. 
I said we are all very hard of hearing, nearly deaf ; the awful noise of 
battle, especially the noise and concussion of the air during the dread- 
ful oannonading of the 3d, greatly injured our hearing, but in a week 
we will be all right again. This is alwiays the case after a great battle. 

In the field hospital a mile to our rear on the low banks of Rock 
Creek, many desperately wounlded were lying upon the gi-ound. Con- 
sequent on the heavy rains of the 4-th, tlie stream rose suddenly, and 
ovei-flowed the ground, so that a; number of the woimded were 
droAvned before they could be moved to higher groimd. 

In the fore part of the night I had the pioneers over tO' this hos- 
pital to bury some dead. The wounded all lying on the bare ground 
were generally quieti ; the miajority seemed tO' be sleeping. The head 
surgeon told me that they had discovered, in kerosene, a specific rem- 
edy for the extirpation of maggots from the wounds of the men, and 
triumphantly stated that there was no longer a maggoty wound in the 
place. Up to this time soldiers were frequently seen in the field hos- 
pitals, fiipping maggots from their wounds with a stick whittled 
sharp for the pur]X)se. 

One young soldier wounded under the arm asked a surgeon to 
dress his wound ; he could not raise his arm. The surgeon took hold 
of his hand and jerked it violently up and a handful of big maggots 



468 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

fell out. Here oecun-ed one of the nijosit patlietic incidents of the 
War. A young soldier, a mere boy, who was brought to the hos- 
pital carried on a stretcher while a soldier walked alongside and with 
his han'd held a wound in the thigh near the body. He said he was 
entirely free irom pain. A surgeon examined the wound and said, 
"Nothing can be done for you ; yoai must die ; if yoii have any word 
or message to send home, attend to it at once; yon will die within a 
few mom^ents after your comrade taikes his hanid from your wound 
and that must be soon." He asked for paper and ]Ten which were 
quickly furnished. He wrote a letter to his mother, stated his con- 
dition and that a comrade was holding the wound \yhile he wrote to 
her, saying that as soon as he finished the letter his comrade would let 
go and he would bleed to death in a few miniutesi The letter was fin- 
ished, he let himself fall back, hesitated a, moment, then said, "iSTow 
you may let go," and Levi Smith, of Company A, 148th, who held 
the wound withdrew his hand, and in a few minutes life had gone out. 

July tlie 5th had ooone and the Confederate Army was in full 
retreat toward "Old Virginia." Leaving our wounded and unburied 
dead to the care of the hospital corps, the Christian and Sanitary 
Commissions and the citizens of Pennsylvania, we moved out of our 
position and started in pursuit of the Confederate Army toward 
evening. Camped at "Two Taverns," Pennsylvania. 

July 8th at 5 :00 a. m. we resumed the march, which was kept 
up, in spasmodic meandering fashion until 4 :00 p. m., when we 
camped within four miles of Frederick, Maryland, having marched 
twenty miles. It rained all day and the mud was deep and 
slushy. We were rain soaked and covered with mud to the belt. In 
marching through a village today the |Deople turned out to see the 
troops, wagon and artillery trains passing. A gentleman and hi> 
family, standing on the walk in front of their home, seemed greatly 
interested in our march. There was talk and laugh and lively jest 
in the ranks, as we marched in "quick step" with absolute indiffer- 
ence, straight forward, through mud and water. Just as we passed 
them T heard a young girl ask, "Papa, don't soldiers care for rain 
or mud?" A smaller girl, however, ansAvered the question, "No; 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANU VOLUNTEERS 469 

thev just love to walk in the mud aud water. But they do eart- 
when their shoes aud clothes are all covered with uiud. They woult^l 
look nice if they were not so dirty." A lady remarked, ''Evidently 
they have no remorse for having just fought aud killed and wounded 
twenty thousand men ! Oh, isn't war a dreadful thing ^" 

During the winter of 1862 and 1868 while the Army of the 
Potomac was encamped at Fredericksburg, Virginia,, a Mr. Ilicliard- 
son, a Virginiaai Avho' frequeuftly came into our c;amps selling war 
maps, soldier's medals and stencil plates to the soldiers bearing their 
name®, company a,nd regimenti, to insure identification if killed in 
battle for the inform atiion of friends at, home. This individuial made 
a tour through our camps just before the Chancellorsville campaign, 
and one shortly before we started for Gettysburg campaign. The 
next and last time he was seen with the Army was at Frederick City, 
July the 6th, when he was recognized as a resident Virginian. 
Here he was suspected and arrested as a spy by men of French's 
Division of the Second C'orps, tried, found guilty and immediately 
hung to the branch of a tree in a, field to the right, and a few rods 
from the ro^ad about a mile oait of town. 

He was a brave, daring rebel spy and had successfully spied 
for the Confederate Army a long time. There were very few men in 
the 148th who had not bought something from him ; they all knew 
him. The evidence upon which he was convicted as given to me at 
the time and place consisted of papers found in the false bottom of a 
canteen. But Captain Goldsboro, of Frederick, Maryland, who was 
an officer of the court martial, wrote me October 8, 1902, stating that 
the evidence consisted of papers found hidden in his boots. The 
{■/apers it was said described the strength, equipments, movements, 
and position of the Aruiv of the Potomac. 

On July the 0th we resumed our pursuit at 6:00 a. m., marched 
through Frederick, Maryland, and a few miles beyond, where on ac- 
count of sickness I gave out. I sent the pioneers to their companies 
and was carried in an ambulance the balance of the day, reaching 
Burkittsville, Maryland, twenty miles from our morning start. 
Here All ert Lord, of Comjiany F, Charles A. Wolf and myself, of 



470 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Company A, all of the 148ith, and too sick, to go on were abandoned 
ii) a field and left to look out for ourselves, while ithe Corps crossed 
South Mountain into the Antietain country. It was evening and we 
found shelter in the stable of Mr. J. Horin© on a splendid bed of 
straw. Here we remained for several days during which time we had 
two of the village physicians attend us and received abundance of de- 
licious food supplies from tli© Horine family under whose free treat- 
ment and care Wolf and I rapidly improved while Lord was getting 
worse. On Sunday morning July the 12th we led him to a hospital 
whiehi had been ostaiblished in the Luthei*a,n church, from which the 
seats had been removed and beds of loose straw made on the floor. 
At 10 :00 A. M. w^e set out to find the Anny, and in particular the 
148th. We crossed South Mountain at Crampton's Gap, and the 
Soutli Mountain battlefield where many marks of battle still re- 
mained. W^e reached the Antietam, which was high and muddy. It 
was raining, but. we concluded that a bath \\x>uld do us no harm so 
we stripped, put our clothes under a rubber to keep dry and jumped 
in. Our ablutions finished we continued our march in mud and rain. 
On reaching Rohreiwille, Maryland, four miles out we were tired 
out, crept into a stable at night fall, wet and mud all over, cold and 
hungTy and slept fairly well in our wet clothes. 

Long before daybreak, July 13th, we (Wolf and I) left our 
straw bed in the stable. We had little to eat lall day. Wie begged a 
little bread from a lady near Sharps burg and found some crackers 
and pork on the ground \vhere some troops bad camped so^me time 
l>efore. This helped us out. Wc passed on ; it was night when we 
passed Ilagerstown and reached the vicinity of Williamsport on the 
Potomac late in the night having with great effort (being scarcely 
convalesceint) marched about eighteen miles. Here we found the 
Regiment. The boys greeted us as if retairned from the dead. They 
were working hard in heavy rain by the light of lanterns, in dense 
timber digging trenches. With enthusiasm they told us the War would 
s(>on end now; that Txje's Army was penned np in the Ix^nd of the 
river, which was too high to cross; his Army would l)e attacked and 
captnred in the morning. A few hours later a farmer came into our 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 471 

lines and reported that the last of Lee's Army had just crossed the 
river into Virginia. 

July 14'th : Then there was coniniotion, instantly we set out in 
pursuit, and swm reached the line of his position. We found that he 
had held a magnificent defensive position, and had built some of the 
finest field works we had ever seen. We realized that it was fortunate 
for us and the Nation that we did not fight him in this impregnable 
stronghold. Had we fought him here the fruits of Gettysburg would, 
beyond doubt, have been lost. As it was he left a few guns, many small 
arms, and an immense number of stragglers and deserters, all of 
whom became our prisoners. Here the Gettysburg campaign ended. 

The retreat and escape of Lee was one of the most skillful feats 
of the War. He slipped away from the LTnion Army, reached the 
Potomac, seventy miles away, without material loss, and, in the few 
days that he was at the river, he had thoroughly fortified himself ; 
had gathered flatboats, captured pontoons, and built bridges across 
the Potomac River at Williamsport and Falling Waters, over which 
he made his escape with his Army into Virginia, on the night of 
Jul}' 13tli; then destroyed his bridges and in safety rested his 
Army. The Potomac, a large river at all times, on account of much 
rain, was high and rapid ; but many of the Confederates, thinking- 
it was fordable, plunged into the stream, were carried away and 
drowned. Some four hundred were drowned during the crossing 
on that dreadfully dark and rainy night. For several weeks there- 
after, the bodies of those unfortunates were seen floating doA\m the 
river, or lodged along its banks. 

July 15th : We marched in a meandering way twenty miles and 
camped near Harper's- Ferry. 

July IBtli: We marched leisurely by Sandy Hook to the vicin- 
ity of Ivnoxville, ^larvland, eight miles in the forenoon, and camped. 

I was still weak from the effects of my recent illness of Burkitts- 
ville, Marydand, and over exertion immediately after played me out. 
I could not eat the army grub. Toward evening we marched through 
an orchard, and I pulled off a quart of small, green, hard apples and 
began to eat them ; they tasted good. We went into camp and the 
soldiers l>eing greatly fatigued whiskey was issued to them. 



472 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Company A was formed and with cups marched over to where 
the "barrel" was located, and the roll w^as called ; and as a nanie was 
called a man would hold out his cup and get his gill of whiskey. 
Many answered, ''I don't want minei," when I would sing out, "'Here 
I'll take that," and the Quartermaster poured it into my cup. This I 
kept up until my own name was called and I again held out my cup. 
I then had the whiskey of four men, and I returned to Company A 
quarters. I said, "Boys I haA^e been sick for ten days and I am sick 
now of fever and dysentery; I can't eat our grub, but I have just 
eaten a quart of green apples and now I will drink this whiskey, 
and then I will lie down in my tent to see whether it will kill or cure 
me. The boys laughed at me, but none said yes or no to me. I drank 
the whiskey and crept intO' my tent and lay down to await results ; this 
was toward evening the sun a few hours high. I soon fell asleep and 
had a good nap. I awoke, I was alone in the tent, the sun was just as 
high, Imt on the other side of eani]>; it was next moniing alwut eight 
o'clock. T got up, a beautiful morning. The boys asked, "Do you feci 
better f I replied, "I am well, fully recovered ; I never felt better, 
give me some crackers an<l poi-k that> I may satisfy my hunger. I am 
ill] riglit now. 

In this War it was a "long time between drinks." I 
can recall only three "whiskey rations" in all the time of our serv- 
ice. But to the ingenious soldier there is always a way of getting a 
canteen full of "commissary" when we wanted it. We would write 
an order on the Quartermaster something like this: 

"To the Quartermaster 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers: 

"Send me per bearer, for my own use, one canteen of whiskey." 

Then we would sigTi " , Lieutenant Company ." 



I 



On these orders the Lieutenant alwaysi went dry. When we wanted 
:i drink of brandy, we lx)ught a can of "spiced pears" from our sut- 
ler. This meant a pint tin can, labeled "pears," filled with light 
brandy, and a small pear or two, thrown in. But it was extremely 
seldom that we wanted strong drink; and drink to excess was ex- 
tremely rare in the 148th and T am not afraid to assert, that it was 
one of the most sober regiments in the service. As to thievery, well, 
admitted- — "Cliartre sustained." 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 473 

Toward evening we saw soiiie animals in the brnsli down near 
the river, and Comrade Ge'o. M. Rupp went over to see whether they 
were anything good to eat. He was a, good forager and soon retunied 
with a good sized sheep. So he, Jesse Long, Henry Meyer, William 
Meyer and I dressed the sheep. We were hnngry for mutton. It was 
getting dark when we commenced to tell yarns, fry, and eat that 
sheep, and we continued to yarn and fry and eat mutton till near two 
o'clock next morning, when we finished the sheep. We were not as 
hungry for mutton as we were before we had eaten a whole sheep. 

Early in the morning of July 18th, we left Ivnoxville, marched 
back to Harper's FeiTy and once more crossed the Potomac into 
Virginia. Again we watched the gaps, camped near Bloomfield, 
Virginia, for several days. 

July 23d: A battle was reported in progress at Wrapping 
Heights near Front Royal in the Shenandoah Valley. Our Division 
was ordered to hasten do^vn to Manassas Gap, pass through and re-en- 
force the movement. We were soon on the move, but difficulties beset- 
ting, we di'd not reach the giap till evening, ti^velve miles, and were 
compelled to work our way through the mountains eight miles that 
night, expecting to join in the battle in the morning. 

This was the worst tramp the 148th made in all its service. 
From 6 :00 p. m. till midnight, six hours of fatiguing toil, without a 
halt we made eight miles and bi\'ouacked near the Wiapping Heights 
battlefield, near Front Royal. But the battle was ended and won 
by the cavalry and Third Corps. The enemy losing two thousand 
five hundred men in killed, wounded and prisoners, and had re- 
treated across the Shenandoah River after night. 

July 24th : We spent the forenoon at Wa])ping Heights. To- 
ward noon many of us stripped and bathed in the river, and began 
to wash our shirts and drawers. We had scarcely commenced when 
the bugle call of "Fall in" was heard. We hurried to wring and put 
on our wet clothes, which is slow business at the best; but we were 
ready in time and moved out with the Regiment, marched through the 
gap again, this time in the road and camped east of the gap. Heara 
distant cannonadina; all dav. 



474 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

July 31st: We reached Morrisville, Virginia, and went 
into regular camp. The weather was so hot at this time that 
it was impossible to make any military movement with success. 
August 1st the pioneers put up the brigade hospital tents which is 
considered a favorable sign for a period of rest. Water was scarce 
and far to bring so I was ordered to take the pioneers and locate and 
dig a well near camp. We located the well right by the regimental 
camp and dug it ten feet wide and fourteen feet deep when we struck 
plenty of good water. We put iip two tilts in the usual way, on 
crotch posts, anid tilt land dip poles with camp kettles for well buckets 
attached. We finished the well on the 3d, which was also a wel- 
come pay day. The Regiment was paid to July 1st, two months; 
Sergeants receiving from, seventeen to twenty dollars per month. 
Corporals and privates thirteen dollars per month, in money worth 
ab(nit forty-eight cents on the dollar, or six dollars and twenty-four 
cents a month sound money. 

August 4th: At noon we packed up and moved our camp 
toward Bealton a few miles and put up a new camp and since we 
oould not bring our new well along we immediately went to work 
and dug two others right by the camp about the same width and deptia 
as before, and found an abundance of splendid water. 

August 10 th : After the Gettysburg campaign ended the boys 
meant to take all the rest there was to be had. They had become 
indifferent as to the condition of arms and uniforms. In order to 
remedy this we had inspection every three hours until arms, equip- 
ments and uniforms looked like new. 

August llth: At noon I took the pioneers over to Surgeon 
Davis' dispensary temt to make some improvements 'and shade the 
quarters. The Doctor, always very friendly to me, "winked" me into 
an annex tent where he had a barrel of old rye for medical purposes on 
tap. There was a little red crook under tlie spigot half full. He 
picked it up and said, "Here, my boy, take a little." And so I did 
and we oame out. Soon the Doctor was called over to the Regiment 
to see a sick soldier. As soon as he was out of sight I said to my men, 
"Come in, boys, and I will prescribe for you." They came and took 
full doses. Before the Doctor returned I administered a second dose. 



THE 148TH PEISINSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 475 

Wheal the Doctor returned, there was much life in the pioueer 
corps ; they worked like tigers ; they addressed Surgeon Davis very 
familiarly; the Doctor gave me several glanoes of inquiry but said 
nothing. Pioneer Morehead, one of my men, not feeling fully cured/ 
slipped into the Doctor's laoiiniex for another dose. The Doctor was 
on tihe watdh ; he rushed in and found Morehead drawing the medi- 
cine, he "fetched" him one on the shoulder saying, "Here, you rascal, 
get out of this." Morehead bolted, the little crook fell, some fire 
water was wasted, but the Doctor never referred to the inciidemt after- 
wards. 

For several weeks the Army suffered greatly from the intense 
heat which prevailed during that time. About one-tseventh of all 
the deaths in thie Army, during this period were caused by sun- 
stroke ; and one-'half of the remainder of the diseases oausing death, 
resulted directly from the hot weather. 

The troops camped in the open field, were fully exposed tO' the 
blazing heat of the sun, we scarcely knew what it was to be in dry 
clothes. Stiill the general health of the Army continued gooid. This 
could only be accounted for by the hypothesis that the isoldiers of the 
Army had become so habituated to hardship that nothing common 
would affect them. 

The thermometer stood at 100 degrees to^ 105 degrees in the 
shade, while in tlie sun it was. often up to 140 degrees. The air 
was full of smoke and stench from burning camp fires and decom- 
posing animal 'and vegetable substances. Heat waves rolled visibly 
along the horizon and danced on the hilltops. Everything was at a 
perfect standstill. 

August 21st: A few evenings ago at dress parade it was an- 
nounced that Jesse Maberry, a deserter from the 71st Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, Second Division, Second Corps, would, be shot to death 
near General Warren's headquarters today, between the hooirs of 
12 :00 M. and 4 :00 p. m. I went over and found the Division formed 
in hollow square, facing inward, one side open, where a grave had been 
dug. Soon a brass band at headquarters struck up the "dead march," 
the hour had come; all eyes were turned in the direction of the music. 
The procession moved slowly at the time of the "dead march," as fol- 



476 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

lows: brass band in front; next fonr soldiers earrying' the eon 
dcinned soldier's coffin on tiheir shoulders, followed by the con- 
dejnned arm in arm with the Chaplain, who never ceased talking 
consolation and cheer to the victim, who was very pale, yet heroically 
firm, keeping step to his own '"dead march." Xext a platoon of twelve 
soldiers, armed execirtioners, followed by a sqnad of twelve ginards. 
The procession in this order entered the square, and moved 
dlowly through the center to the open side where the grave was. The 
band obliqued out of the way, and the coffin bearers set the coffin 
beside the grave, an<l tlie condemned man sat down on it, and bowed 
his head, while tbe Chaplain offered prayer, then shook his hand, 
bade him good-b^^e, asked him to be firm and then stepped aside. The 
condemned 'arose, took off his coat, threw it aside; the officer in 
charge stepped Tip and blindfolded him with a white handkercihief, 
i;'eated him on his coffin and stepped aside. All was now ready. The 
condemned Avith boih hands pulled wide open the front of his shirt, 
baring his entire breiast, holding fast awaiting the leaden bullets. 
Most agonizing must have been this moinent of suspense. Eight of 
the executioners, about ten paces off, fired, and Mayberry fell, turned 
half way around, and hung on his coffin, not dead. He writhed in 
pain, violently moving his hands and feet. Two of the four re-erve 
executioners, were ordered to close in and shoot him again. They 
held the muzzles of the rifles close to his bodv and fired ; then he 
lay motionlesa. He was examined by the attending physician, and 
])ronounced dead thirty minutes later. A deep murmur of disgust 
swept through the troops in attendance, and the execution was openly 
conidemined. 

Mayberry died for liis family. A wife and three small children 
lived in Philadelphia, lie went to War, his family became desti- 
tute; he deserted to jjrovidc for them and forfeited his life in so 
doing. 

Monday, August 24th : Heavy and continuous cannonading' 
heard mi tlu lower Kappaliannoi-k all day; active oi:)erations had 
aaain connnenced. 

Friday, August 28th : Two more deserters of the Second Divi- 
sion of our Corps were shot near General Warren's headquarters in 
the presence of their Division. All soldiers of the Division not then 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 477 

on duty were required to witness these executions. The formation of 
the Division and ■ the procession were tihe &ame as previoiisly de- 
scribed ; the victims bravely met their doom. 

Tor these men there was less sympatliy tlian for Mayberry. 
They were not only deserters but bounty jumpers. One of them 
had deserted seven times, and as often siold himself as a substitute. 

When men go into battle to fight, for their countiry's rig^ht, we 
do not wonder w^hen we see tilieir miangled bodies lying before us, 
for we know that sucih is the fate of War ; but tO' seei a, soldier taken 
from the ranks where he has served, and led out in mock solemnity 
tc be butchered in oold blooid by his ooimrades, thci partners of his 
toilsome marches and deadly conflicts, our feelings are shocked and 
we are moved to pity. But painful as the duty is, it is required, or 
else law, order ;and discipline would be set. at defiance: in the Army. 

Shortly after crossing the Potomac into Virginia, a. fine look- 
ing man in the full uniform of a Confederate Major, deliberately rode 
iiito our lines and was promptly arrested and senti tO' corps head- 
quarters, where he produced a pass from General Slooum, and papers 
containing valuahle news oonoeming the movements of the Con- 
federate Army. He was one of (thei most active spies in the Union 
service, and immediiately set off agaiin for the C'onfederate lines, 
and returned with information on August 26th, after which we never 
heard of him again. 

August 31st: The Confederates made a demonstration on the 
lower Rappahannock, captured a few steamers on the Potomac, and 
brought them up the Rappahannock to Port Conway. Kilpatrick's 
cavalry, and a, heavy force of artillery, and the Second Corps (onrs), 
were ordered down tlie river to "see aibont it." We marched alo^ng 
the Rappahannock, leaving detachments at every ford. The 148th 
tC'ok position at Richardson's Ford, twenty miles from oiir camp. 
Kilpatrick proceeded to Port. Conway where he defeated the Confed- 
erates and destroyed the steamers. 

September 1st: It wais midnight; the 148th at Richardson's 
Ford, lay soundly sleeping in bivouac, with a heavy picket guard at 
the crossing supported by a strong reserve. All was quiet., save the 
sighing of the wind through the overhanging pines, and the murmur 



478 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

ot the river, mingled with the screech of insects and the mournful wail 
of a lone owl. The moon had gained its towering height; the 
sky was clear, land a beautiful night it was; just such a night as 
would bring to us sweet memories of the past and our homes, in 
ante bellimi days. 

Suddenly a volley of small arms was fired in.tO' our pickets from 
across the river, killing one of our men. Simultiameously a consider- 
able foreei of Confederate cavalry dashed across the ford. In l^s 
than five minutes the 148th was in battle order and moving rapidly 
forward to fight the disturbers of our slumbers; but they remained 
not to fight; they had gallo'ped into the country east of us. Soon 
quiet once more prevailed in our bivouac and the men again slept. 
Returned to camp at Morrisville September 4th. 

September 13th: We reached and crossed the Rappahannock 
River and moved to Brandy Station, where, in a battle between our 
cavalry and the Confederate cavalry, the Confederates were defeated 
and driven beyond Culpeper. Three cannon and one hundred men 
captured. Our Brigade was wagon train guard today. 

September 14th: Moved from Brandy Station to Culpeper. 

September 17th: We reached Cedar Mountain, the scene of 
Pope's disaster, on the Rapidan River, land formed in order of battle. 
There was skirmishing for several days with lively cannonading now 
and then. The days were very warm and the nights cold and frosty. 

September 28ith: We went into regular camp, and I took the 
pioneers and dug a well in the camp of the Regiment near Cedar 
Mountain ; rigging the well in the usual way. 

September 29th: The pioneers were engaged in, repairing 
bridges. We could plainly see the Confederaites on tdie soiitli side of 
the Rapidan, busily engaged in fortifying their position. 

October 1st: On a visit to a truck pa;tch today, I secured a 
peck of green tomatoes. After night had set in, and we had fonned 
line of battle, I invited some of my comrades to go witli me behind 
the hill in the woods, to fry land eat green tomatoes, Aviliile we waited 
tlie coming of diay. Not one would go with me, so I went alone, 
started a fire and fried and ate tomatoes. I had a lonely but a nice 
time by my cheerful fire. It was cold and frosty, but I had a 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 479 

pleasiant aaid comfortable night; and just before daybreak I finished 
the tomatoes and retum'eid tio the battle line where the boys were 
lying on the ground, shivering with cold ; no fires being allowed. I 
did not get hungry for fried tomatoes for a long time. 

Octo'ber 2d: In the afternoon we bajd a sliglit diversion in 
our Division. Thei first of the Second Corps, wihere comrade Small, 
a soldier of the 66th New York Volunteers was shot in tbe nsual 
formal way, for desertion. Our Division wais turned ont to witness 
the butohery, and the Confederates on the heights on tihie sontlh side 
of the Rapidan, in bundles on the hills, also were spectators, and no 
doubt looked on with satisfaction, to see us gradually reduce our 
Army. Friday was execution day and no Friday passed without 
shooting deserters in some part of the Army. 

This was the first execution for desertion in our Division, and 
it was a butchery. Tine victim wais shot four times ; the execntioners 
emptied their guoas on bim ; ihe received two bullets from a navy re- 
volver into the bead at close range, before the surgeon in attendance 
pronounced him dead. Then the whole Division was made tO' miardh 
in single column close by the victim, to view the poor, mangled and 
blood covered body of this bapless mortal. The idea of these public 
executions is to impress upon tbe soldiers that desertion will be 
surely piuiished according to military usage in the time of War. 

OctO'ber 6th : This morning ait two o'clock we were^ routed out 
and packed up, and soon after moved out of our position on tihe 
Rapidan, and marched back to Culpeper Court House fifteen miles 
and went into regular camp, as if for tihe winter. 

October 4tih: During tihe afternoon, Jesse liOng one of my 
pioneers, was out prowling and foraging. He returned with an old 
white gander, a big one. We immediately turned butchers and com- 
menced skiiming this old Cbnfederate gander. We got along fairly 
well till we tried to part the hide from Ms turtle back bone ; here we 
had trouble. The hide of this diabolical, centenariian Confederate 
gander was so firmly fixed to the back bone that after much labor, 
we bad at least, most of tbe feathers worn off and we gave it up. 
We dissected him with a batdhet and put bim in a camp kettle. 
Before sunset we bad him boiling lively, at eigbt o'clock we tried 



480 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

him, he was very 'tough ; we tried him every fifteen minutes after 
that; he was tihe toughest ease we had ever met; we boiled him 
furiously. At tliree o'clock in the morning Jesse again tried a 
piece and declared, "Bedast, he is getting touglier." We thought 
it was high time to quit cooking him, land we lifted him off tihe 
fire and co'mmenced to chew. Foair of us, Henry Meyer, William 
Meyer, Jesse and I chewed on him till dawn of day, and we had a 
good deal of that centenarian Confederate, leather-bodied gander left 
t-ver. We offered parts of that invincible foAvl to some of the boys ; 
we told them that it was la very good mess ; tliey looked at tlie Avreck, 
hut they would not l)ite. Peace to the memory of that south-land 
gander. 

For several days we lay quietly in camp near Culpeper Court 
House, but on the morning of Ooto'ber lOth the Seoo'nd Corps made 
a hurried march back to the Rapidan River to re-enforce the Third 
Corps, which had made a reconnaissance in force, south of the river, 
;ind was hard pre3.sed by the Confederates, and was in retreat. We 
reached the river and formed battle line, tO' cover the I'otreat of the 
Ihird Corps, whose wagon train and artillery were then crossing 
the river to the north side with great haste, and passed to our rear. 
Tnis movement continued till 2:00 a. m. of October llth, when the 
l&Sit of the trains and artillery were safely oii the north side of the 
river, and the pontoon bridges weire hauled out, loaded up, and moved 
out with the general retreat of the Army. 

This accomplished, the Second Corps left its position and 
marched rapidly back through Culpeper along the OVange and Alex- 
andria Railroad, crossed the Rappahannock River on pontoon bridges, 
and camped near Rappahannock Station, a few miles north of the 
river, after a forced march of nearly thirty miles, since two o'clock in 
the morning. We knew that this rapid backward movement signified 
something far beyond the ordinary in War. JXext day, Ocitober 12th, 
the Confederates caine u]>, and vigoaxnisly attacked our rear; we 
tiimed on them and recrossed the Rappah'annook in forceiand attacked 
them; but tliey made only a slight show of fight and fell back to 
Brandy Station, six miles souith of the river. Their feeble resistance 
and willingness to fall back, gave rise to the suspicion that they 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 481 

were "luring" us Avitli a small force in our front and were no doubt 
advancing in force on- our flank. Tliis soon becamie apparent ; there- 
fore at midnight, October 13th, we again resumed a, rapid march 
ir retreat; which was kept up all day crossiing the Rappahannock 
again by the same pontoon bridges near the railroad. 

We marched till late in the night and having made t.wenty-five 
miles we bivouacked in the woods ; dark, gloomy and rainy. We 
heard the ratitle of musketry in a skirmish not far aiwnay. All was 
excitement. Was it to be a battle in this darkness, where friend 
and foe could not be dis'tingTiished ? We moved out ; day dawned 
just as we forded Cedar Creek ; soon after reaching the top of a bhiflf, 
near Auburn Mills, afterwards known to the boys as "Hot Coffee 
Hill." This event is very fully treated in other stories. 

(See the Prisoner's Story by Sergeant Meyer. — Editor.) 



THE TEAMSTER'S STORY. 

Compiled from data furnished by Comrades Bryan, Billet, Garrett and Flack, 
andfrom^ records of the Quartermaster' s department. 

If it be true, as it ceTtainly is, that "an army goes upon its 
belly" — 'tbat is, can travel only so fast and so far as it can be reached 
with food — its logistics, although, in a sense, of secondary importance, 
becomes, in another view of the subject, of primary importance. It 
is not proposeid here to discuss the question of logistics in general, 
although, in view of the late ciianges in the organization of our 
Army, this is a subject of profound interest. 

During our Civil War and for many years before and since, 
whilst it was the duty of the commissary department to supply food 
to iihe Army and of the ordnance department to furnish it with am- 
munition, both were ^absolutely dependent upon the quartermaster's 
deparitment for the transportation of their supplies. The quarter- 
master's department controlled the transportation of all grades and 
kinds. When, therefore, the limits of rail and water transportation 
were reached, the army mule became the important factor in the 
movements of the Army. Without his aid the best planned cam- 
paigns would have been failures, and except for his faithful and 
oontinuons service, the area over which an larmy conld operate would 
have been limited indeed. MJ 

The teamsters of the Army were, therefore, as a class as impor- 
tant in their place and within their circumscribed limitations as 
any other class of men in the Army. We hear but little of them 
but no effort to give any adequate idea of the operations of even 
a single regiment could be successful, without taking into account 
tbe services of this exceptional body of men, who, specially detailed 
for this purpose, served as patriotically as others, of whose service ' 
and exploits we hear more. It is deemed of interest and value, there- 
fore, that a short sketch or story of one or more of these m'en be given 
to round out the general experience of our Regiment. 

Samuel Bryan, who was one of the original members of B , 
Company, w^is bom ait Curtin's Works, one of the small charcoal ! 
iron furnaces which, during tbe latter part of the Eighteentih and the ; 
first half of the Nineteenth Century, were so ooanmon in Centre 
Coointy. This furnace still continues to make charcoal iron, and is , 



THE J48TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 483 

one of tihe few remainiiig establisimieiits of tliis character. In the 
olden times, when the supplies for such a furnace were hauled from 
the ore mines and charcoal pits of the proprietors, tlie mule was 
about as essential to the operations of a furnace as he was to the 
campaigns of an army later. 

Ais a boy on the furnace bank, Bryan became perfectly familiar 
with the care, custody and management of a "team of mules." When, 
therefore, it became necessary to furnish the Regiment with pro- 
visions froan Wiashington, by wagon transportation, on its march 
down the eastern bank of the Potomac to Liverpool Point, in order 
to join the Army then fighting at Fredericksburg, the question of 
drivers for tihe teams became very impoirtant. Bryan's capacity to 
manage mules, was, of course, known to his Captain and hei was 
temporarily detailed for that purpose. He demonstrated his ability 
in this line to sudi extent that after we joined the Army of the 
Potomiac smd our wagon trans poirtati on had been turned over to 
the qua.rtemmster's department, he was soon sought out, with oth'er 
men of our Regiment, and regularly detailed as a teamster. 

It may be interesting in this conneotion tO' show what consti- 
tuted a team and how the transfers of the mules, wagons and neces- 
sary equipments we're made. On our transfer froim Cbckeysville to 
the Army of the Potomiac, tlie regimental quairtermaster, Lieut. J. G. 
Kurtz, was, of course, very busily occupied with the transfer of the 
regimentai stores and baggage by rail. Lieut. W. P. Wilson, of 
P Company, was detailed to assist him. The following abstract of 
stores gives an idea of the transportation allowed to transport bag- 
gage and subsistence from Washington to- Liverpool Point, and also 
gives some insight into the manner in which the business of the quar- 
termaster's department wias transacted. 

List of quartennaster's stores, etc., transferred by Capt. J. J. 
Dana, Assisitiant Quartermaster United States Army, to Lieut. W. 
P. Wilson, Acting Regimentail Quartermaster 148th Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, at Washington, D. C, on the 11th day of Decem- 
ber, 1862: 



484 



THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



Number or 


Number or 


quantity 


Articles 


quantity 


Articles 


•2\) 


Il(irse8. 


8 


Horee brushes. 


(i 


\\'ag-oii8 complete. 


(5 


Sets four-^ioi-se reins. 


2 


A 1 1 ibu 1 a nees — 't.wohorse . 


4 


Sets ambuhinoe harness 


« 


Set? four-horse harness. 


5 


Hialfters. 


s 


Whips. 


1 


Saddle. 


8 


Water buckets. 


1 


Blanket. 


8 


Curin- combs. 


I 


Bridle. 



I certify that I have this day transferred to Lieut. W.. P. Wilson, 
Acting Regimential Quiartermaster 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
ai W^'ashington, T). C, the articles specified in the foregoing list. 

J. J. Daxa, 
Captahi Assistant Quarfennasfcr. 

Wlien we reached the Arniv, there were turned over to the quar- 
termaster's department bv Quartermaster Kurtz all that Wilson had 
received at Wasihington and an additional wagon wliicli we had 
probably brought with us hxiin Cockeysville or had been secured in 
S(<me other way. The invoices transferring this pix^perty are rather 
more detailed than the pi-evious one but are given as sliowing the 
care with which Lieutenant Kurtz transacted his business. 

List of quartenn'aster's stores, etc., received by E. M. Webber, 
Lieutenant, and Acting: Assistant Quartennaster United States Army, 
from J. G. Kurtz, Lieutenant and Quartermaster 148tli Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, at camp in the field, Virginia, on the 
19th dav of l>e<'eml>er, 1862: 



Number or quantity 


Articles 


2S Twenty -eight 


Horses. 


7 Seven 


Wagons. 


7 Seven 


Wagon 1x1 ws (sets of). 


7 Seven 


Wagon covere. 


7 Seven 


Feed Imxes. 


5 Five 


Water buckets. 


7 Seven 


Horse brushes. 


7 Seven 


Tar buckets. 


7 Seven 


Stretcher chains. 


7 Seven 


Doul)le-trees, 


28 Twenty-eight 


Single-trees. 


14 Fourteen 


Wheel harness, single sets 


14 Fourteen 


Lead harness, single sets. 


20 Twenty-nine 


Haltei-s. 


7 Seven 


Curi'v ('(Mill)-. 


7 Seven 


Whins 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 485 

1 certify that I bave tihis day received from J. G. Kurtz, Quar- 
teraiaster 148.tili Pennsylvania Volunteei*s at camp in the field, the 
aiticles specified in the foregoing- list. E. M. Webber, 

Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Quartermaster. 

List of quartermaster's stores received by Lieut. James H. 
^Mitchell, Acting Assisitant Qnartermjaster United Stiates Army, from 
Lieut. J. G. Kurtz, Qnartennastiei-, 148ith Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
at oamp near Falmouth, on the 19th day of December, 1SG2 : 

Number or quantity Articles Condition when delivered. 

2 Two Two-horse ambulances. Worn. 
4 Four Sets harness. Worn, 
•i Four Horses. Good. 
2 Two 'Brushes. Worn, 
2 Two Gurry combs. Worn. 
2 Two Water buckets. Worn. 
2 Two Whips. Worn. 
4 Four Head halters. Worn. 

I certify that I have this day received of Lieut. J. G. Kurtz, 
Quartermaster 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers, ait camp near Fal- 
moutb, the articles specified in the foregoing list. 

James H. Mitchell, 
Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Quartermaster commanding 
First Division Amhulance Corps, Second Armi/ Corps. 

These receipts also indicate the division of tlie Quartermaster's 
transportation into wagon train and aanbulance corps. At Wash- 
ingfon they were turned over tO' Lieutenant Wilson on the siaine 
invoice. When we reached the Army, they were divided and re- 
ceipted for by a. Lieutenant who was evidently with the wagon train 
and anotherr who was in command of the ambulance corps. 

Whether Bryan's reputation as a driver preceded him or not 
or whether there was a civil service examination as to his knowledge 
of the anny mule, or of his capacity to care for him, does not appear, 
but certain it is that shortly after the Regiment reached Falmouth 
and had gone into winter quarters, and after he had been detailed 
for his first tour of picket duty and returned, the First Sergeant 
of his company ordered him and his comrade, George Billet, to the 
^^agon train at corps headquarters. A detail of this kind, of course, 
involved taking with them their earthly belongings and, after pack- 
ing their knapsacks they started to report as directed and, upon 



486 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

reaciiiiig the wagon train, reported to Captain Sihiiltz. Bryan was 
put in oharge of wagon jSTol 1, whicli carried tlie lieadquarter baggage 
of the Second Coi'ps. His team consisted of six black mules, sup- 
posed to be among ithe best in the service, as will appear later. After 
taking charge of this team and becoming familiar witb it, it acquired 
the reputation to whicb. its rank and position in the colnmn and 
iti uniform condition entitled it. With this team, through all the 
changes in commanders and through all the various campaigns, Bryan 
SfcTved until the end of the War was reached, and he was mustered 
out witii his company. 

It would be a. matter of deep interest to give here ait lengtli the 
number of wagons required to transport tlie belongings, the supplies 
of food, forage and ammunition and tbe pontoons, intrenching tools 
and other impedimenta with which a corps of 40,000 men was com- 
pelled to move. One wagon was assigned to tiie corps headquarters, 
one to the heaidquarters of each division, one to tlie headquarters of 
each brigade, one to each regiment and, in addition, as many as the 
requirements of the oommii^sary, quartermaster's and ordnance de- 
partments required, and also such as were necessary for carrying the 
pontoon bridges and tlie initrendiing tools. 

Bryan's wagon (No. 1) led the coliunn for the Second Corps in 
all movements and was entitled to this place, except when food, forage 
or ammunition was ordered to the front. 

On the maixsh to Chancellorsville, the Second Corps wagon 
trains crossed at the United States Ford in rear of artillery and 
parked in the woods. The corps headquarter wagon was ordered to 
tlie front. On Saturday evening, when tlie Eleventh Corps gave way 
and created such consternation, a road was cut. through the woods 
and the teams were ordered to the river in a hurry and lay there until 
the corps recrossed and returned to camp at Falmouth. At Gettys- 
burg the trains were parked near the troops, so that the drivers and 
others comiected with them were in sight of the figiht. The return 
march from Gettysburg was very exhausting and, when the Army 
halted at Morrisville, tlie teams were nearly worn out. 

In the fall of 1863, during the march to the rear and after^ 
wards at Mine Run, the corps trains were several times La great 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 487 

dsnger of capture. The night before Auburn Mills and Bristoe 
Station, orders were issued that all the wagon covers should be re- 
moved and at night the chiains, which were likely to rattle, were all 
to be removed and no whips were to be cracked. 

Before the campaign of 1864 there wasi a general inspection 
and grand review of all the wagon trains. There was great rivalry 
among the several corps, and among the teamsters of the same corps 
as to their teams. Bryan's team was regarded tiie best in the Second 
Corps, and bets which amounited to several hundred dollars were 
offered that his team would take the prize which was offered for the 
best team in the Army. Feeling ran high but, when the inspection 
was ended and the report made, Bryan and his six black mules were 
the winners. 

There was little of incident worth recoT*ding ordinarily with 
the wagon trains. In the early part of the campaign of 1864, upon 
a dark night, with mud to the axle, the train was following the 
artilleiy. Of a sudden the roads blocked and the whole train halted. 
The headquarter land intrenching tool wagons were ordered to the 
front. A sutler's wagon, with six mules, was mired at the crossing 
of a stream. This brought all the teams tO' a standstill and there 
was soon a grand mix of army mules, sutlers and swearing team^j^ers. 
The wagon-master told the sutler that if he had ten dollars he would 
get him out. The proposition was gladly accepted and the driver 
of the intrenching tool wagon came back and told Bryan what the 
trouble was and that he had offered to get the sutler out for ten dollars 
and wanted his team. The team was unhitched and, taking the 
leader by the head, it was led along the edge of the muddy road iji 
the dark until the creek was reached. The sutler's teami was, un- 
hitched and taken out of the way and Bryan's attached to the wagon. 
Before a move, however, the ten dollars was demanded and paid 
over. Bryan's comrade stood at the head of the leaders ; he mounted 
the saddle mule and, at a given signal, ga\e a yelp which his team 
knew so well, every animal crowded his collar for all he was worth, 
one good strong pull all togeither and the sutler's wagon was out 
on the road. Although covered with mud and with a team in like 
condition, Bryan had his share of the ten dollars and the hearty 



488 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

cheers of the bystanders for the Second Coi-ps headqiiarter team as 
kis reward. 

On one occasion, tlie date of which is not distinctly remembered, 
the Second Corps train was moving nearly at right angles with that 
of another corps. Tihe question to be determined was, which had 
the rightof-way. Bryan was leading; ciiss words wei^e bajndied at 
a lively rate bet^veen the wagon-masters of the different trains ; the 
war of words seemed ready to burst into a war of pistol shots ; finally 
the wagon master oomm'anding the Second Corps train saw an open- 
ing and ordered Bryan to rush through, which he did, while an Oifficer 
who seemed to be with the other train stood on his horse with dra\Am 
sword ready to strike him. The Second Coi-ps officer, however, not 
to be outdone covered his opponent witli a revolver. Biwan made the 
opening with liis team and the whole train followed. How the 
difficulty was finally settled was not known but, as the Second Corps 
generally believed, it came out ahead. 

When not on the marcli niid when the condition of the teams 
justified it, the headquarter team and others which were not em- 
ployed in the distribution (if commiss:ary and quartermaster's stores, 
were often employed in delivering express matter and sutler's stores 
v»'hicli camie by rail. Much of the express m'atter was for the officers, 
l)ut many packages came also for enlisted men. These were delivered 
at the several headquarters. Among thie express matter especially ad- 
dressed to the officers were suspicious looking boxes through the cracks 
oi which long necked bottles might soinetianes be discovered. These 
were regarded as very dangerous to be placed in an anny wagon 
under the control of the average anny teamster and were laid aside 
and, although it is no't for the teamster to say what became of 
them, he has always had a suspicion, based upon his knowledge of 
the wagon-master's quarters, that some of them might have been 
found in a cavern under the bunk of some enterprising wagon- 
master. 

Dui-ing the campaigTi in the suunuer of 1864, after reaching 
Petersburg and during the eixissings to Deep Bottom, the headquarter 
wagon was always well to the front, biit the Second Corps was con- 
stantly on the go. Many nights the mules were not unhitched and 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 489 

not infrequently the teainsters Laid down alongside of tiieir saddle 
mules under orders to be ready to move at a. moment's notice. 

Dnring tlie time that General Hancock was in oommand of 
the Corps, the headquarter wagon was not taken to the front, unless 
the orders permitted the wagons belonging tO' other headquarters to 
be brought up also. General Hancock was very particular in this 
respect and at one time, when a member of tlie staff had undertaken 
to ordea* the wagon to the front, when General Hancock's orders 
forbade wagons to be brought up or jfires to be made, the wagon was 
sent back very promptly and the officer who had ordered it up 
severely reprimanded. 

In the closing campaign, in the spring of 1865, General Hum- 
phreys commanded the Corps. The corps headquarter wagon was 
kept constantly close up tO' the troops. At Hateher's Run it was 
nea.r the front and, when the battle opened, was under a direct and 
warm fire. The top of the saddle, upon which the teamster was 
sitting, was knocked off and the off wheel mule was wounded in the 
fleshy part of the hip. Holes were cut in the canvas cover and two 
or three of the bows broken. This occurred so' quickly that there 
v^'as no time to- retire until the daanage was done. The wagon-master, 
however, came to the fix)nt with a rush and ordered the team out of 
ronge as quickly as possible- — ^an order AVhich, it may be well imgained, 
was very promptly oibeyed. 

As the trains got farther from their base fo-rage beoaime veiry 
scarce. At Farmville, seeing a stack of hay in the distance, the 
teamster of tlie heaidquarter wagon made foT it, secured some of the 
hay and began his return, but he was within range of the Confed- 
erate troops and was subjected to a fire, the bullets rattling all ai-ound 
him as he reituraed withoiut a scratch and with the hay for his team. 

As may be readily imagined, the teamsters were not under the 
same strict discipline as the men who- carried arms and were expected 
t:) be up to the front, partioularly in time of danger^ During such 
times the trains often baited for a considerable time. On tlie night 
oi the surrender, some of the teamsters gathered in a, snuall hut oc- 
cupied by some colored people and induced the old woman who was 
in charge to bake soine hoe cakes whicb were much enjoyed. They 



490 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

had scarcely finished their repast when a tremendous shoait was heard 
in the front. On going up to see what, was the matter, it was found 
that Greneral Lee bad surrendered and a night of great jollity 
followed. 

Without del'ay came the march through Richmond back to Wash- 
ington and, when Alexandria was reached, Bryan was relie\'ed and 
ordered to rep^ort to his Regiment. He says: 

'^I turned in the same six miules that I received at Falmoutli 
in December, 1862, the same wagon and harniess, except the wftgon 
bows and cover which had been riddled at HJaitcher's Run. With 
the repairs which had been made during the ser\'ice, these were all 
as good as when they were given in my cluarge. I never had a sick 
mule or broken wagon, nor was I ever off duty for a day. The last 
1 saw of my team, after I was relieved, it was running away under 
a new driver and seemed to be specially engaged in breaking the 
wagon to pieces." 

George Billet, who was detailed at the same time with Bryan, 
although assigned to a team which did not rank quite so high as 
Bryan's, nevertheless was as faithful in the discharge of duty and 
served continuously with the trains until mustered out with his 
company, as was Bryan, June 1, 1865. 

Oharles Garrett, Company H, was detailed during the winter 
of 1863 to serve as a teamster with the corps headquarter train, and 
was continuously employed as such froan the date of his detail until 
the close of the War. After the return of the Army from Cluan- 
cellorsville, his team was detailed witliin a week to recross the river 
under a flag of truce. The p^rty detailed for the special service drove 
to Chancellorsville, the special object being to recover the bodie- 
of several officers who had been killed during the fight and had been 
buried east of the Chancellor House along the main road leatling 
toward Fredericksburg. The niglit was spent upon the field and 
the return was made the next day. 

His subsequent experiences with the train were much the same 
as those which have been detailed in oonnection with this general 
story. At Cold Harbor, however, he recalls, with great disitinotness, 
an experience which will be easily remembered by all who sliared 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 491 

ii! it. The train was exposed to the artillery fire of the enemy and 
was shelled at different times. It was impossible to go forward or 
to turn back, and the trains were compelled ito remain in this exposed 
position for a couple of days, losing a number of mules killed by the 
enemy's fire. 

Garrett says: 

"I drove six mules during the entire time; they were about as 
good as the ordinary mule, althoiugh some of them were quite vicious, 
but that seems to be a trait in their character, if they have any. 
After the surrender, I had a load of camp equipage, etc., which 
was carried the entire distance to Alexandria. Here I left the mule-, 
and joined my company, without having participated in the Grand 
Review. I was mustered out, however, with the others and with them 
returned to my home." 

' Nelson Flack was detailed in April, 1863, as a teamster to 
serve in the general wagon traims. He drove a supply wagon until 
the fall of 18 03, 'after which his wagon was aissigned to carry am.- 
munition for the Regiment. This he continued to do un/til the close 
of the War. 

As already intimated, the ammunition train was an absolute 
necessity during an engagement and. of ten came upon the field 
during the heat and exciteanent of battle. 

Flack had been trained from boyhood to care for and drive 
nutles and was, therefore, quitei at home when detailed for tills 
purpose. He has a distinct, recollection of the incident at Cold 
Harbor spoken of by Garrett. 

In approaching Petersburg, after crosising the James River, the 
Lieutenant in command of thei trains to which his wagon belonged 
took the wrong road, led his train through our lines but did not go 
far until he discovered what was the matter. Of course, the back 
track was taken immediately but we were' in front and in sight, of 
the enemy's Avorks and within range of their guns. We had no escort 
and it would have been very easy to have captured the entire train. 
Wliy the enemy did not do^ so has always been a matter of wonder. 
They did not even open upon us till after the train had regained its 
place within our own lines, and then they opened in a lively way, so 
that the train was compelled to retire further to the rear. Here 



492 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Flack's team was detailed for another purpose and was t:he only one 
employed in hauling ammunition for the gains at the Weklon Rail- 
road. 

After the surrender, he drove his team north. At Burkville 
Station the ammunition was unloaded and turned over to the railroad 
for transportation and his wagon loaded with such things as would 
be useful to the troops on their homeward marcih. 'No guard was 
required, there being no enemy and, as it was dispensed with, the 
tiains were open to the depredations of the inhabitants of the region 
at night. As it was a section of tdie country over which both Araiies 
had fought and marched, there was, of course, great destitution and 
lack of fai-m animals. It is not surprising, therefore, that a large 
number of mules and horses departed and did not return. Soane- 
times a whole team would disappear. Flack lost two of the mules of 
his team. As many as eleven horses disappeared in a night but tins 
was not an unmixed evil, as it gave the inhaibitants of thei region 
the facilities for putting out their crops and thus returning to their 
old employments, and was after all their side of the game of '"tit 
for tat" which they had not had the opportunity previously to play. 




ti 



lA\J^ JLA^ 



JiAA^^\y^ l/]/\jL^ . 



THE PKIVATE'S STORY. 

IN CONNECTION WITH A BRIEF HISTORY OF COMPANY A. 
By Henry Meyer 

''You and eaoh of you acknowledge that you have voluntarily 
enlisted as a soldier in the Army of tlie United States of America, for 
the period of three years, or during the War; and each of you do 
solemnly swear that you will bear true allegiance to the United iStates 
of America ; that you will serve them honestly and faithfully against 
all their enemies whomsoever, and that you will obey tlie orders of 
tlie President of the United States and the orders of the officers ap- 
pointed over you, according to the Rules and Articles of War, and 
this as you shall answer God on the Great Day." 

The above was the substianioe of the oath aidministered August 
25, 18(52, by Lieutenant Fetterman, of the Regular Army, to a hun- 
dred volunteer recruits, mostly farmer boys, standing in an irregular 
row, with u]>lifted right hands, in front of the hotel in the tow^n of 
Rebeirsburg, Center County, Pennsylvania, I look do^vn the vista 
of forty years and the scene presents itself vividly to my mind ; the 
assembled fathers, mothere, sisters and brothers of the boys in line, 
the youthful, ruddy faces of the volunteer recruits, the grief and 
tears of members of families from whose loving circle one or more 
of their number is now being severed, perhaps never to return. The 
boys themselves seemed less affected by the solemnity of the occasion, 
for they were light hearted and inclined to levity rather than serious- 
ness. Thus it was the parents at home suffered more mental anxiety 
than their sons in the Army. They ceased not, day and night, year 
in and year out, to think of their sons in the far South, and they ever 
felt the deepest solicitude for their safety. We who are now fathers 
ourselves can more fully appreciate the feelings of parents in those 
sad and gloomy times. 

After the oath was administered to us, Lieuteniant Fetterman 
added : "You am now soldiers of the United Sta.tes ; you will meet 
at this place on the 27th of this month to be taken to the front, and 
if you fail to report, you will be arrested as deserters." The severe 



494 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

manner in which tlie Lieutenant delivered this sentence and the 
emphasis he put on the word "deserter," grated harshly on onr sensi- 
bilities and kindled a slight feeling of resentment, and defiance which 
rankled in onr bosoms quite a while. Xot that any one harbored any 
intention of deserting, but it was our first lesson in the stem disci- 
pline of military life, the first practical demonstration to us that our 
wills must now yield unquestioned obedience to the will of others 
pla<}ed over us in authority. Of all the varied duties and require- 
ments incident to the soldier's life, this subordinating one's will to 
that of another, this yielding prompt obedience to one who is only 
one of "us," one with whom we played "horse" and slid down the 
same cellar door only a. few short, years before, and probably not su- 
perior to us now, except in a brief, constitute'd authority — this was 
the most loathsome and difficult lesson for us volunteer soldiers to 
acquire. 

But the volunteer soldiers had the intelligence, the good common 
sense and the patriotism to observe and admit the necessity of yield- 
ing obediemioe tO' those selected to exercise 'authority over them, and 
they obeyed. 

By facts reported us later on we learned that the 'Confederate 
officers and private soldiers were on much more social terms than was 
the case in the Union Army, and yet it has never been asserted that 
the Confederate soldiers were less brave and efficient, in consequence 
thereof. 

These recruits sworn in on the date ' mentioned were nearly all 
natives of Brush Valley — of the best families; mere boys, single, 
with the exception of a few, used 'to toil, robust., temperate in their 
habits — good material out of which to make soldiers. A few days 
after their muster they constituted Company 'A of the 14Sth Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

What puissant force impelled these young men to forsake their 
comfortable home, sacrifice their trades, college dormitories, busi- 
ness or professional advantages, new spheres a number had just en- 
tered u]>on from the fairm — ^and enlist in the Army and undergo the 
hardshi])s,'the dangers and horrors of war ? It was not for pecuniary. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 495 

gain. It was not because tliey were ignorant of the oonsequences of 
the step they were about to take. They knew all about the terrible 
battles and losses of the Anny of the Potomac on the Peninsula and 
the then recent defeat of Pope's Army in Virginia. They knew that 
le-enforcements were needed at the front and expected in a few short 
weeks to be hurled against the exultant, advancing foe. It was pure 
patriotism that constrained them to stand by the Union in the fear- 
ful conflict ; they felt it their duty to go and they 'went. 

In this brief sketch th,e main object will be to recall some of the 
stirring incidents and varied experieuces which a humble private 
observed, and himself and his comrades went through ; also to put on 
record some historical faicte in reference to Company A which may 
seem worthy of preservation. Where historical facts and dates are 
mentioned, they are verified by comparison with diary records made 
during the War at the time of the occurrence of the events. 

The boys left Eebersburg, Pennsylvania, in farmers' rigs of dif- 
ferent kind, on the 27th. day of August, and arrived at Lewistown in 
the evening. Thence by railroad they reached Harrisburg in the 
afternoon of the following day. Supper was provided in a large 
brick buildingi near the depot. The bill of fare was simple, consist- 
ing of cold pork, bread and coffee. There was no apple butter nor 
jellies of any kind; neither were any pies or custards visible. And 
the farmer boys, who were accustomed to more luxurious tables, con- 
sidered themselves treated quite shabbily, but indulged the delusive 
hope, in their inniocency, that, after they would be installed in com- 
pany quarters, Uncle Sam would supply them with viands more 
varied and abundant. 

The company was then conducted to OampCurtin. The scene 
which presented itself to the gaze of the young fellows who had been 
reared amid the quiet 'and peacef ulness of rural life was bewildering. 
All was commotion in camp, streams of recruits in citizens' clothes 
coming in, and regiments of soldiers in uniforms going 'out; com- 
panies and regiments drilling; orderlies and officers galloping hither 
and thither ; bands playing, drums beating, teamsters yelling and 
cursing, and the noisy tumult went on unceasingly. Passing into 
camp at its entrance on the south side, we noticed soldiers — real sol- 



496 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

diers — mth muskets and fixed bayonets guarding tke place and allow- 
ing none to pass out. Now' we realized fully that Uncle Sam had us 
in his clutches securely. However, it might be remarked here that 
the boys learned rapidly. Their chief desire was, during their stay 
at Harrisburg, to get away from the dust and discomforts of camp 
as much as possible and' roam about the city. 

There was a hydrant on the east side of the camp just beyond 
the sentinel's beat where many of the boys got their water for use in 
camp. It required no pass to get across the line at that point if one 
carried a bucket. Now, buckets being cheap, they became plenty. 
In the 'morning two men would take hold of one small vessel, pass 
through the guards, ostensibly to fetch water, hide the bucket, then 
perambulate over the city all day, return to camp in the evening with 
their bucket of water. This scheme worked all right until Uncle 
Sam arrayed 'his bo^^ in uniform, then they could no longer pass 
themselves off as citizens. 

As we entered the camp space was assigned for the companies 
and "A" tents 'were furnished to be put up, six men being assigned 
to each. Clothing, a complete outfit from head to foot, all dumped 
on a pile, for a hundred men, was issued, 'the various pieces of attire 
being graded as to size, in order to fit the supposed variations in stat- 
ure, 'The rush that was made for the pile was terrific and was 
fraught with some danger to life and limb. Mutual exchang'es were 
afterwards made among the boys until all were tolerably well rigged 
out. But one of the boys. Comrade Thomas P. Meyer, happened to 
be on one of his periodical wanderings about the city while the issue 
of clothing was made, and when he returned, the* one solitary pair of 
shoes remiaining was a pair of No. ll's, while his "fit" was No. 7. 
When 'he entered the tent and saw his shoes and the other ill assorted 
vestments left for him, he flew into a rage and for a while the air 
was full of flying caps, coats, vests, pantsi'and shoes, accompanied by 
simdry' emphatic remarks not suitable on funeral occasions. Mean- 
while some of tilie other boys were going through the contortions of 
an Indian war dance in front of the tent, and volunteered such words 
of encouragement and consolation as the situation seemed to demand. 
After the stiorm subsided, Thomas was informed that lie could take 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 497 

his outfit to the Quartermaster and secure garments of a proper size 
in exchange, whereupon he meekly gathered the same under his arm 
and wended his way to that institution. 

The companies were organized and a regiment was formed of 
ten companies and numbered the 148th Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- 
unteers. Our company, as already stated, was lettered A and was 
placed under the command of Capt. Robert H. Forster. The posi- 
tion of tihe company was at the extreme rigiit of the regimental line, 
and was at the head of the column when on a march. This latter 
fact was of considerable advantage on a march, as we discovered 
in course of time ; as, for instance, in marching across a hill, while 
the companies at the front are descending the same, with swinging, 
rapid strides, the companies at the rear may be ascending the oppo- 
site slope, at a run to prevent a break in tlie column. 

During our two weeks' stay at Camp Curtin the time was put 
in by constant drilling, doing guard duty, learning to cook, learning 
by experience the secret of miaking ourselves comfortable under the 
changed conditions of our lives. The officers studied military tactics 
and it must be confessed that they were, nearly all of them, as ignor- 
ant of things military and as awbward in the drill as the privates. 
Often was Captain Tarbutton of the Regular Army, who was in com- 
manjd of Camp Curtin, seen to take tlie sword, or the stick, from 
some Captain or Lieutenant while drilling a company and show him 
how to go through the manoeuvres and how to command, not in an 
overbearing, tyrannical manner, but in a courteous, kindly spirit. 
Perhaps in no line of duty is the recruit so liable to make ridiculous 
mistakes as in the role of sentinel. As an illustration of this : Com- 
rade Solomon B ^\^^as doing guard duty at a point where there was 

always more or less bother with fellows trying to pass in or out, and as 
he was slowly walking his beat, thinking, probably, about the girl he 
left behind, some fellow slipped across his trail. The sentinel, roused 
from his reverie, rushed after him with uplifted stick and yelled, 
"Dunnerwedder holt, odder Ich f arschlock dir der Kup ! De coim- 
tersign is Harper's Ferry!" Which translated into English would 
read — but I forbear. Perhaps one should apologize for introducing 
into a work of this kind a sentence, now and then, of vigorous, classic 



498 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Pennsylvania Dutch, whicih was spoken and understood by not less 
than half the members of the 148th Regiment. 

On the night of September 9th, the Regiment, then fully 
equipped, took the train at Harrisburg and on the following morning 
disembarked into a large field close to Coekeysville, ]\Laryland, and 
went into "Campj Beaver." One of the men had an impression that 
we were already far south, for looking over a field covered with a 
tall weed, he inquired of a citizen of the place, "ish dis cotton ?" 

Guard duty ^and drilling was the order of the day in our new 
camp and picket duty was now also added to the list. This latter fact 
became, in our estimation, quite a serious affair ; if it was necessary to 
throw out pickets, why, it was certain that enemies were in the 
neighborhood somewhere; and it was the easiest thing in the world, 
when spying a darkey bestriding a mule on a distant hill for the 
imagination to transform him into a fierce trooper of the Rebel Army. 

There was still anotiher field of usefulness opened to us in which 
to gratify our 'ambition for promotion and consiequent glory', and 
that was "police duty." jSTow, when the Orderly Sergeant, W. W. 
B.ierly, called half a dozen names, among which was my own, and 
informed us that we were detailed to perform police duty, we felt 
greatly elated and began to look around for the smoothly polished 
hickory clubs with wihich to lord it over the otiier fellows, if they 
failed to conduct themselves decently. But our spirits fell when the 
Sergeant supplied us, instead, with axes, picks, shovels and brooms 
of the most primitive kind, and ordered us to remove stumps, roots, 
stones, even up the groimd and clean up the rubbish generally about 
the camp. 

0^lr stay at Coekeysville was uneventful ; with the exception of 
a few incideints of more or less importance, nothing happened to mar 
the even tenor of our way. One occurrence in the line of guard duty 
some of the boys may still remember. Comirade Thos. G. Weirick, 
a member of Company A, a boy of six'teen years, was on a certain 
occasion detailed one of the camp guards, and while on duty a giant 
of a fellow attempted to cross the beat, paying no attention to the 
challenge of the boyish sentinel, whereupon the latter rushed upon 
him with fixed bayonet, tearing through his coat across his breast, 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFJNU VOLUNTEERS 499 

jirst grazing the skin, but inflicting no other damage or injury except 
several big rents in the ckjthes of the big fellow. The boy had in- 
tended, no doubt, to run a hole through the man but missed his aim. 
Pie was arrested and taken to the Colonel's quarters, where he was 
kept a few hooirs and then released. He had simply carried out his 
orders strictly, and there was not much tO' bci siaid on the subject. 
Comrade Weirick was a brave soldier and did valiant service later 
on in many a fierce battle. He was severely wounded at Cold Harbor, 
and now he is doing sonie sort of sentinel duty at^ the Bureau of 
Printing and Engraving, Washington, D. C. The fellow who had 
attempted to cross the beat was put in the guard house. 

September 10th our company struck tents and mai'ched down 
the Baltimore Pike abont five miles to Liitherville, a small village 
situated near the ^Northern Central Railroad and put their tents along 
the northern border of a commons close to a strip of woods. It 
was a healthy and most delightful location. Close at hand on the 
west side of the eaanp was the railroad just mentioned; on the east 
side, at a distance of one-fourth of a mile, was the Baltimore Pike ; 
a mile south, amidst a beautiful grove, nestled the fine buildings 
of the Ladies' Lutheran Seminary, and dotting the varied landscape 
of field and wood in all directions were seen many palatial residences 
of the opulent slaveholders. The citizens of the small village were 
intelligent, sociable, and kind hearted. They extended many acts of 
kindness to our sick boys during our stay in the place. They were 
loyal to onr Govermnent with but few individual exceptions. Our 
camp was named after our Captain ''Camp Forster." In this place 
we remained until December 9th, three months within a few days. 
Our stay in this section of country was very pleasant; it was simply 
"Sunday soldiering." Our principal duty was to guard the railroad 
against injuiy that might be perpetrated by disloyal citizens or pos- 
sible raiiiders, for it Avais 'a very important line of ooanmunimtion be- 
tween Washington and the Xorth. Iti was guarded only during the 
night, and in daytdme there were not many details for duty of any 
description. The scenery was beautiful, the autumn days w^ere 
delightful, ]>ersimnions, chincapins and other luxuries were abundant, 
and the boys were happy. Yet the time was not wholly spent in 



500 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

idleness ; squad and company drill went on unceasingly from day 
to day. Tiie boys learned rapidly, and as they became more efficient 
in the drills, they became proud of their accomplishments. A true 
soldier ahvays takes pride in his own organiziition and will ever 
exert himself to maintain its honor. What soldier of the Civil War, 
or any war, is there whose bosom does not swell with pride as he be- 
holds the bullet-torn banner under which he served ? 

The companies were frequently assembled at Cockeysville 
or Gunpowder to exercise in regiment drill. Colonel Beaver 
had seen active service in the front as Lieutenant Colonel ol 
the 45th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and knew the im- 
portance of thorough drill and discipline when it came to active 
service in line of battle. He labored with great zeal and energy to 
place his Regiment on a high plane of discipline and efficiency, and 
later on the wisdom of his course was dem.onisitratcd in more than 
cue fierce battle of the War in which tlie Regiment took an honorable 
part. During the first six months of our service soane of the men 
c'xpressed their disapprobation of the Colonel's strict discipline in 
rather emphatic tenns, but they were really only the professional 
grumblers ; tlie clean, intelligent, patriotic element in the Regiment 
recognized from the beginning the necessity of rigid discipline in the 
Army, and approved of the policy of the commander. Company A 
being isolated from the rest of the Regiment, and not being under 
tlie vigilant eye of the Colonel, its members were not subject to the 
same degree of restraint a.s those of the other companies which re- 
nuiined at Cockeysville. Yet there were not many flagrant vio- 
lations of the regulations. Captain Forster was a man of few words, 
— could be silent in at least two languages, but what few words he 
said were promptly and cheerfully heeded by the boys. He was not 
tyrannical; he ever manifested a kindly regard for every member of 
his company; he was brave in battle; he had done gallant service 
while a mere boy in the Mexican War, the boys therefore loved and 
respected him, and honored him 'almost as a father. They denounced, 
as in their opinion circumstances required, almost every officer from 
the corps commander down to the lowest, but of Captain Forster 
there never was said an unkind word. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 501 

On several occasions the Captain was absent and the command of 
the company devolved upon the First Lieutenant, Simon S. Wolf, who 
also Avas a capable officeT. He was not mncli older than a majority of 
the boys and had been a schoolmate of a number of them, and their 
hiCk of veneration for him was often painfully evident. They accosted 
him by his Christian name, "Simon," and the idea of offering him the 
military salute to which ofRceirs were enititled, was unthinkable. It 
was with considerable difficulty the boys restrained themselves from 
exercising the privilege, so dear to the Amerioan citizen, of "sassing 
back," though sternly p'rohibited by military discipline. T'hese 
thing's ai'e mentioned to portray the democratic and independent 
spirit of the boys. Once in a Avbile the Lieutenant, in the absence of 
the Captain, found it necessary to inflict slight punishments. Com- 
rade J. E. E, had been guilty of some slight offense and the 

sentence was tliat he polish a, very rusty musket wthich was handed 
him. The iwily culprit got hiimself sionie sand paper and as soon as 
the comipany was formed to go fortih to drill, he would grab his rusty 
gnn, sit in front of his tent and begin to polish, timing the motion of 
his hand by the beat of th© drimi. Thus for several days when the 
company w^as racing over the adjacent field in the evolutions of drill, 
in the hot sun, Mr. R — would be sitting in front of his tent with his 
nisty gun and complacently contemplating the shifting scene before 
him. In this casie justice failed miserably. 

Many funny incidents happened in camp life which would afford 
some amusement if narrated, but for want of space only a few are 
introduced in this sketch. The following is a representative type, 
one of occasional occurrence in army experiences : 

One beautiful Sunday morning as the company stood at "shoul- 
der arms," after the usual inspection, :and was about to be dismissed, 

the command, "order arms," was given. Comrade J. K. M , who 

stood on my right, simply let his musket drop Avithout going through 
all the successive movements which that command requires, and the 
heavy Vincennes with its ponderous saber bayonet, on, struck squarely 
on ni}' toes ! It can easily be imagined what th© effect was both on 
my toes and my feelings simultaneously. Yet the proprieties of the 
occasion forbade my leaving the ranks, or the privilege of pronounc- 



502 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

ing my malediotioiis on tlie offender abave a hissing whisper. The 
malicious fellow simply looked straight to the front and smiled 
serenely, and somewhat derisively. 

Each mess of six, occupants of a tent, did its own cooking, and 
the process thereof was of the most elementary style. Boiling Irish 
potatoes with the skins on, or roasting sweet potiatoes (bought from 
hucksters) in hot ashes at the fire-place, boiling beans in camp 
kettles, making coffee — 'these were lacoomplishments easily acquired. 
But ventures into the higher grades of the culinary department were 
sometimes attended with resnnlts quite disastrous. As an instance of 
this kind, a quantity of rice had accumulated on our hands and it was 
proposed to prepare a portion of it fo^r the table. There seemed noth- 
ing difficult in the proeess of boiling rice; so a four-gallon camp 
kettle was made nearly full of the cereal, a quantity of water was 
poured on top, and the vessel with its contents was then suspended 
over a roaring fire. It soon became apparenti thiat boiling rice pos- 
sessed a great affinity for water, but that fluid being cheap and 
abundant, it was poured into the kettle in copious quantities. It 
also developed anotlier of its qualities fwith lamazing rapidity — ^that 
of expansion — ^so much so, that in a very short time the kettle was 
full to ovei-flowing, and the rising contents had to^ be dipped, out and 
deposited into other vessels. All the kettles, pans and dishes that 
could be borrowed from the neighbors were soon filled and finally 
yellow ismoke oame up through the boiling rice, leaving bro^^^l 
streaks over tlie surface, i^howing that the stuff was burning at the 
bottom. 

December 9th at 1 :00 p. ]m. our company took tlie train at 
Lutherville for Baltimore at which place we arrived at 3 :00 p. m. 
The other companies of the Regiment were with the same train. The 
Regiment mardied tiliroiigh the city to Wasliington De|X)t and was 
quartered in a large brick building for the night. Here an excellent 
supper was served by the Union Relief Association. My diary states 
that the institution was miaimtained by tihe ladies of Baltimore, and 
th'at on the same d^ay five thoaisand soldiers who ]->as9etl through the 
city to the front, had been fed. 0\ir company with three other com- 
panies occupied tlie third floor, and every inch of space was crowded. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIA VOLUNTEERS 503 

In tlhis connection I am tenipted to relate a funny incident at the ex- 
pense of Comrade Thomas P. Meyer, He had visited Baltimore 
before our enlistment and we cheerfully accorded him the distinction 
of a superior knowledge of tlie ways and mysteries of tlie city. So 
after we had established ourselves comfortably in the building just 
mentioned he remarked : 

"Henry, do yoii like peach brandy ?" 

"Why, yes; if it is good; what is it?" 

"Well, it's peach brandy and I know where I can get some ; it 
would be nice to have in case of an emergency." 

Whereupon he went and had his canteen filled and brought it in 
safely. Afterward he went out again, and not trusting to leave his 
canteen amongst a lot of spying, thieving boys (of the other com- 
panies) he hung it across his shoulder and took it along. Meanwhile 
guards had been stationed around the building with certain instrnc?- 
tions from the Colonel, presumably — at lany rate when Tnomas 
passed in the Sergeant of the Guard halted him, inspected the con- 
tents of the canteen and poured the comtraband stuff intO' the gutter, 
while poor Thomas stood by watching the proceeding with mingled 
feelings of regret, fierce anger and horrible revenge ! The emergency 
had come sooner tban had been anticipated. 

At noon, on the 10th, another meal was fumisibed the Regiment, 
and at 4 :30 p. m. the train w'as taken for Wasihington. The boys still 
remember, no doubt, the many delays caused by the frequent break- 
downs of the ricke'ty, camelback engine ; how they used tO' get off the 
train, light fires and warm themselves, while the train hands were 
making repairs at. tbe old engine. Washington, distant from Balti- 
more only forty miles, wias not reached until 3 :00 a. m. on the 11th. 
The boys put in the time seeing the capitol building and odier objects 
of interest about the city, until 2 :00 p. m., when the Regiment 
marched out of the city, heading dowm the left bank of the Potomac, 
our destination being, as we understood, Falmouth, near Fredericks- 
burg, Virginia, where was then lying the Army of the Potomac. It 
was a beautiful warm day and we got very tired with our heavy 
knapsacks, although the distance traversed was only about six miles. 
Our camp for tlie nigilit was opposite Alexandria. The wagon train 



504 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

failing to come up, tJae boys got nothing to eat until the morning of 
the following day, except "hard tack" and coffee. The Regiment was 
ready to resume its march at 8 :00 a. m. Before falling into ranks 
the hoys disposed of their shoulder scales. They declared them a 
nuisance, notwithstanding Uncle Sam's Army Regulations, wended 
their way to the rear of the bivouac and consigned the gaudy things 
to the realms of "innocuous desuetude" in irregular, parabolic curves 
down a steep hill, flasiliing back, as tliey went, the bright rays of the 
morning sun. 

Fifteen, miles down the left bank of the Potomac, opposite 
Mount Vernon, the Regiment wenti into camp that evening. OVing 
to the tardiness of the provision trains, no supper ; and for the same 
reason the march was not resimied next day, December 13th, imtil 
4 :00 p. M.^ then only six miles were aooo'mplished until dark, when 
camp fires were lighted. 

At daybreak, December 16th, the Regiment got aboard a steam- 
boat at Liverpool Point and was taken do^wn the Potomac ten miles 
to Aoquia Creek Landing, on the Virginia side of the river. The 
march from Washington to this point wais very disagreeable. There 
were frequent rains and in consequence the roads, in that region of 
sandy soil, became almost impassable. The booming of cannon was 
heard continually for several days, but we did not know then that a 
sanguinary battle was being' foug'ht at Fredericksburg. From my 
diary I quote the record for December 16th : 

"At daylight we (our Regiment) went on board a steamboat 
which took us to Acquia Creek Landing * * * where we got off 
and went back from the Landing about half a. mile when we got 
coffee, etc., w© cleaned our guns and accoutrements. In the after- 
noon I was down to the Landing helping to load wagons. There were 
fifty or sixty rebel prisoners at the place who had been captured at 
Fredericksburg a day or two before; they seemed to be veiy clever 
fellows. The steamboat, Monitor, was lying at the wharf, her decks 
covered with hay, made ready for the accommodation of the wounded 
that were to come on the cars from the la.te battlefield, thence to be 
taken to Washington City." 

For the first time we came in contact with some of our veteran 
soldiers of the Army of the Potomac, real soldiers who had "smelt 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 505 

powder," and we looked upon tiieni witih feeling's akin to- wonder and 
veneration. At 8 :00 a. m. on tiie ITtih, the Regiment resiumed its 
marcli, now in a weisteni direction, across tihe coimtry from the land- 
ing on tlie Potomac to Falmouth on the Rappahannock. The road 
was in a horrible condition ; it was one of those Virginia roads wind- 
ing through the woods; siandy soil with no bottom tO' it in wet 
weatlier, as was then the case, and tlie constant stream of ami}- 
supply trains passing along, togetlier with the many thousands of 
feet of soldiers moving to* the front, churned die mud, in and along 
the side of the main road to a breadth of five or six rods, into the 
consistency of very thin mortar almost knee deep. 

Amid all the misery of the march many ludicrous things hap- 
pened. It was the easiest thing in the world for one to stnmble on 
hidden roots, and being loaded top-heavy, he would almost invariably 
come down into the mud with a splash. To this day I have a distinct 
picture in my memory of Comrade Simon Stover standing on his 
head and feet at the saime time, his body forming an acute angle. He 
had stumbled and his heavy knapsack, receiving an impetus, slipped 
forward and pulled his head down into the mud, holding it^ securely 
down by the straps round the shoulders. Comrade Stover had quite 
a struggle to extricate himself from his perilous piosition. Knaip- 
sacks were capable of another bad trick which they sometimes played 
on their o-wners. Miscialculating the distance in leaping a ditch, a 
person would sometimes fail to exert sufficient force to land himself 
squarely on the opposite side, consequently the heavy knapsack would 
pull him back into the ditch. 

A march of about twelve miles brought, us, in the afternoon of 
the day above mentioned, into the neighborhood of the towns of Fal- 
mouth and Frederioksburg. We camped in the woods and slept, at 
night, in the open air. No tents were piut^ip at any time on our 
niarcli from Washington to the front. They were hauled on the 
wagon trains and were not accessible on a march, but at a later period 
of the War, smialler tents were furnished soldiers, well known as 
"shelter tents" and to the old soldiers as ''dog tents." 

In every direction for many miles the country was thickly 
studded with soldiers' tents. That time the whole region on the north 



506 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

side of the Rappahannock was covered with woods, there being only 
a few small fields dotting the land&oa,pe, and to anticipate the follow- 
ing spring tlieire was not left a solitary tree or stick of wood in all 
that region, all having been cut down and used for building soldiers' 
quarters and for fuel. At last even th© stumps and roots were dug 
up for fuel. We were now aimong the old soldiers of the Army of 
the Potomac, who had been with McClellan on the Peninsula, with 
Pope at the second battle of Bull Run, again with McClellan at 
Antietam and only a few days before, in the terrible slaughter yonder 
at the base of Marye Heights, plainly in view, just beyond the old 
town of rrederioksburg. From them were soon learned the details 
of their recent struggle with the enemy, also the undeniable fact that 
our Army had suifered a severe repulse. The situation of affairs was 
somewhat depressing to mir feelings. 

On the 18th day of December the Regiment moved on several 
miles farther and went into camp on the northern slope of a slight 
elevation, having been assigned to the Second Corps, First Division, 
First Brigade. 

The boys of the 148th Regiment were ordeired at once to erect 
■winter quarters. These were log structures, fourteen feet by seven 
feet, about, and four feet high. Two "A" tents were joined and set 
on top of the upper logs for the roof, and a chimney of logs was 
built at one end of the cabin and tliis, as well as the spaces between 
the logs of the cabin, was well plastered with mud, of which there 
was an abundance in that country. A low door was inserted near the 
fire place. The quiarters were warm and comfortable, but as there 
were eleven men to be accommodated in each, the space was rather 
crowded. The floor was simply dry earth strcAvn with pine branches 
on which the boys slept at night, lying "spoon fashion," and filling 
up the space from the rear end of the cabin to the fire place in front. 
If one wished to turn all were obliged to turn and, as might be imag- 
ined, positions were seldom changed during the night. 

Xow, housekeeping was properly inaugnirated but there was yet 
a great deal to learni in order to extract some degree of comfort out 
of the dreary surroundings. We learned by experience — sad experi- 
ence sometimes — and also by observing the methods in vogue among 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 507 

the veteran soldiers around ns. For instance, we noticed that they 
put a handful of ground coffee into one quart of wiater, thus niiaking 
it sufficiently strong to carry an egg, figuratively speaking, or as 
some one stated, tivo eggs. We learned that difficult art of evolving 
sufficient heat out of three wet oornstalks to boil that siame quart, of 
water for coffee, or how to stiart a roaring fire with an armful of 
green sap ])ine sticks in a heavy rain. We also learned at an early 
day, in default of bread, how to conquer the flinty hardness of the 
army biscuit, or "hard tack," and extract therefrom nourishment for 
empty stomachs. Other items might be mentioned. But in one spe- 
cial department the boys of the 148tth Regiment stood pre-eminent 
and could take no lessons from the old soldiers — no matter how old — 
and that was in the matter of private foraging — or moving things in 
order to change the ownership of same. To Company G was ac- 
corded, by general consent and ungrudgingly, the first place in this 
line of accomplishments. And Company A came in second in the 
scale of gradation. It was the general opinion that it was a Com- 
pany G boy who stole General Hiancook's breakfast on a certain occa- 
sion ; and it was not disputed at the time that tlie^ man who carried 
off, in the dead of night, a box of "hard tack" from the Irish Brigade 
Commissary, undismayed by the bullet from the sentinel's musket 
crashing through his box as he went — it was not disputed that this 
man was also a member of Company G. And we knew for a cer- 
tainty that tbe boy who dragged on a dark night, a large quarter of 
beef across the sentinel's beat to a, spot accessible to his accompilices 
was a member of Company A ; so also, at a later period, the boy who 
dragged from under tlie head of tlie Adjutant's cook, as it were, a big 
ham and made way with it, was a member of the same company. 

Monday, December 2 2d, the Regiment was reviewed by General 
Hancock. This was the first time we saw the gallant General. He 
passed along the line slowly and seemed to scrutinize each individual 
soldier. After the reviervv some German officer inspected the Regi- 
ment. My diary for December 23d says: 

"Today our Brigade and several others were reviewed by Gen- 
erals Burnside, Sumner and Hancock and their staffs. I think there 
were present, about eight tihousand men and a batter>^ of seven gims. 



508 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

1 had a good view of General Burnside as he passed along the line ; 
he is a tall nuan and his complexion rather dark ; lie has very black 
hair. General Sumner is not so stout and tall as General Burnside. 
He appears to be pretty old already, as he has gray hairs." 

Looking over my diary records for that time I observe that our 
Regiment was out drilling almost every day, if the weather was fair. 
•Among the daily routine of exercises dress parade held the most 
conspicuous place. It afforded ^an opportunity for strutting gait, and 
a display of the most elaborate and ornate vestments of the military 
wardrobes of both the officers and privates ; thel ill-fitting blouse, in 
the hurry and bustle of preparation, was flung into a corner ; the 
dress coat wias taken, 'from its peg in the tent, carefully brushed, its 
brass buttons polished. The ganiient was then pulled on and care- 
fully buttoned from top to 'bottom, while gloves and paper collars 
were sacredly held in reserve for such occasions, and shoes were ex- 
pected to be polished. At the apipointed hoiu* in the evening, if tlie 
weather was propitious, the co-mpianies of the Regiment were formed 
in their respective streets and at the proper signial marched to the 
parade ground and foirmed into regimental line. 

The evolutions which preceded the formation were really a beau- 
tiful sight, especially while the Regiment was still large, uniforms 
not yet soiled from long and hard service, the gorgeous banners un- 
dimaned by the dust of the- march and the smokei of battle and their 
folds witliout rent by the leaden hail of minie balls. When once 
formed into line the men saw but little of the imposing and magnifi- 
cent pageant of which they formed a part, for each face must be held 
rigidly to the front, the vision of the eye striking the ground fifteen 
paces in front. 

And now came upon the scene the drum corps ; starting at the 
extreme right they marched in front of the line to the extreme left, 
there wheeled and returned to the point from which they had 
started. On they came, with stately step, some ten or twelve drums 
and .several fifes, in the procession, and the crash and thnndcM- peal- 
ing forth from the moving pageant made the welkin ring. 

"Say, Comrade Gettig, who is that chap with the sword load- 
ing the drum corps ? Ts he a bigger man than General Hancock?" 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 509 

''Why, Comrade Royer, h© musit be almost as big in rank, and 
I think his name is Oassidy." 

And such was the case as to name. He was "our own" Bob 
Cassidy, whom the boys learned later on to know, love and respect 
as a most genial comrade and brave soldier. Drum Major Cassidy 
was a very efficient officer in his line of duty. He drilled his com- 
pany of musicians incessantly, thoroughly. On nice days one would 
see them in squads of twos and threes, some distance away from 
camp, practicing for hours ati a time; and unceasingly the noisy 
racket went on. It used to be said that the drum corps of the 148th 
was the best, in the Army of the Poitomac. While yet in our inno- 
oency as soldiers, we used to think that the drum corps would take a 
very conspicuous part in time of battle — in fact, would be up to the 
front, and with its inspiring music would infuse martial ardor and 
courage into the souls of the charging men. This, however, was a 
wrong impression. The drums were left at a safe distance in the 
rear when the fight was on, but the musicians were not solely for 
ornament and entertainment; they assisted at the hoispitals and 
helped the wounded off the field and thus often exposed themselves 
on the firing line. 

Inspection was an event of some importanoe in military routine, 
and was anticipated by the boys with considerable anxiety and dread. 
On those occasions the companies were formed generally in their 
respective streets, the men coming out in full uniform, accoutre- 
ments on, knapsacks packed, musket with fixed bayonets. It is not 
necessary to give all the minute details of the ceremony. The com- 
rade who, on a certain oooasion, stuffed his knapsack full of hay, in 
default of the regulation supply of clothing, failed to pass inspection 
and was severely reprimanded. The inspecting officer might and 
often would open the buttons of tlie coats, if the outward api>earanee 
cf a man gave rise to suspicion, tO' see whether he was in the habit 
of applying a sufficient quantity of soap and water to his person, or 
he might ]Teer into his ears to ascertain whether all was riglit in that 
locality. Then while the comipany was replacing knapsaeks, the in- 
specting officer visited the quarters of the men and inspected also 
them. The ceremony ended usually by the company officers reading 



510 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

to the boys page after page of the Army Regulations. Some people 
might question the necessity of such rigid discipline in this particu- 
lar. It was necessary. 

The importance of keeping the "powder dry" and arms in good 
shape every one admits. It is equally important to maintain the 
health] of the men by strict attention to personal cleanliness and the 
sanitary conditions of the quarters and surroundings for the effi- 
ciency of an army depends on the proper obser\^ance of these things. 
-The greatest diversity in the habits and dispositions of the boys mani- 
fested itself in their new environments of camp life. Some were con- 
tinually bathing, brushing and scrubbing when in camp and fixing 
up to make themselves comfortable; others were indifferent to such 
matters and being deprived the restraining and sustaining influences 
of their home life, they speedily lapsed into a state of primal bar- 
barism. 

The reports of inspecting officers were generally creditable to 
the Regiment ; yet not always, as appears from the following extract 
from General Orders No. 2, issued February 2, 1863, from headquar- 
ters 148th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Camp Hancock, Vir- 
ginia, by James A. Beaver, Colonel commanding: 

"1. The inspection this day made by Lieutenant Colonel Cart- 
wright has not been creditable to the Regiment. It has revealed a 
degree of filth, slovenliness and inattention which is as disgraceful 
to officers as it is ruinous to the safety, health and comfort of the 
men. * * *" 

The Colonel presented the derelictions of both officers and pri- 
vates in slightly exaggerated terms, no doubt, in order to stimulate 
them to efforts at reform. At tihe same time he w^as able to extract 
a grain of comfort out of the distressing state of affairs, as paragi*aph 
No. IV of said order would seem to imply, and which is also quoted 
here, in part, though at the risk of exciting the envy of the other 
companies that could not be named, conscientiously, in connection 
with like facts : 

"It is but justice to announce that Colonel Oartwright compli- 
mented Companies A and D as being the cleanest and most soldierly 
in the Regiment. * * *" 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 511 

This is simply another proof of the justness of the humble claim 
sometimes made that Companies A and D, and more especially Com- 
pany A, were the "salt of the earth," as it were, to the 148th Regi- 
ment. 

Considerable sickness prevailed in the Regiment during the 
winter months which fact made it obligatory on those who remained 
well to serve on guard, picket or other duties almost constantly. This 
excessive round of duties tempted even some of the most prompt, and 
obedient of the boys to shirk duty by "playing sick." Such attempts 
were liable, however, to be attended by unpleasant results, as the fol- 
lowing instance proves : Coimrade Charles B had returned from 

a toilsome round of picket duties along the Rappahannock, on a cer- 
tain occasion, and had established himself in a state of rest and com- 
fort in his tent, when the Orderly Sergeant stuck in his head at the 
door and notified him of his appointment on some other detail. 

"Well, Orderly, I ani so tired, please put me on the sick list" 

"All right, Charley, I will." 

When sick call was tooted at the Surgeon's quarters, Charles 
failed to respond. Then the Orderly Sergeant came running and 
told him to report to the Doctor. 

"But," says Charles, "I ain't sick." 

"ISTo matter, you are so reported and must go." 

He started, and while on the way, cogitated deeply what malady 
it were best to report to the Doctor. 

"What is the matter ?" querried Doctor Davis. 

"My stomach is out of fix," replied Charles, his body drawn up 
ill the shape of an apple "snootz" and his hands pressed on the region 
of simulated pain. 

The Doctor then ix)ured out into a tumbler a gill of castor oil 
which the luckless patient was compelled to gulp down and his name 
came off the sick list speedily. 

Xews reached camp on the 26th that General Burnside had 
relinquished the command of the Army, and that Greneral Hooker 
had been appointed in his place. The Army was reorganized and 
many excellent features were introduced. Xew^ life was infused into 
the Army. 



512 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

It might be interesting tO' persons who never had any experience 
in Army life to know how tlie boys spent their time when off duty, 
matters too trivial for historians to mention. Certain services there 
are which go on unceasingly, Sundays and week days, fair weather or 
foul, dav and night. Among these are guard and picket duties. On 
Sundays there was no drilling, nor when it rained, or when the 
ground was too wet or muddy. There were many idle days, espe- 
cially during the winter months, when time would hang heavily on 
the hands of the soldiers, causing feelings of gloom and depression 
of spirits, and even homesickness, unless there was some sort of 
healthy diversion or recreation of the mind. Correspondence by 
letters with the folks at home was maintained by nearly everyone 
and afforded an amount of pleasure. The daily papers were eagerly 
bought and read, the favorite ones being The New York Herald, The 
Philadelphia Inquirer and The Washington Chronicle. These were 
staunch, loyal pa}>ers and did great service for the Union. Some of 
the boys played checkers but the most popular game was euchre with 
cards. Whether it was wrong tO' play cards need not be discussed 
here, but the boys did not regard the game as either sinful or im- 
proper, as they played simply for pastime, not for money. Some 
busied themselves brigihtening their gims, brass buttons, plates on 
belts, arranging things about their quarters and making their sur- 
roundings as pleasant and comfortable as circumstances would per- 
mit. Practical jokes of the milder sort were indulged in, sparingly. 
The rougher kind were likely to be resented, with force of arms. The 
foll(iwing exaaiiplc (^f a trick perpetrated on Comrade Benjamin Beck 
is a fair illustration of the coarser quality, which, though funny, 
might have ended with serious results. Comrade Beck, one of the 
stoutest men in the company, was in the habit of heating an old 
bayonet while sitting in front of the fireplace during his idle mo- 
ments, and thrusting it into a hole in a log above the hearth, tlie 
smoke from which operation would fill the cabin to the great annoy- 
ance of the other boys. Betnrning from gnard duty, at the time of 
this occurrence, he entered his quarters and assumed his accustomed 
seat at the fireplace; the other boys were reading, some sleeping, 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 513 

apparently. And when Mr. Beck noticed his bayonet in the fire, the 
point heated to a cherry red, he seized the tempting steel, pushed it 
with all hisi force into the hole, intending that time to penetrate the 
log. But there was a terrible ecxplosion. Mr. Beck lay sprawling 
upon his back on the floor and the bayonet rattled against the far- 
ther wall of the tent. The boys had inserted the powder of several 
cartridges into the hole. 

Comrade Elias Edleman who had found a rebel shell near camp, 
was encouraged by some mischief-loving boys to experiment with it, 
and they assisted him to load it with powder, lay a train and light it. 
Then they fled to a place of safety. For some reason the explosion 
did not come off at once, and the experimenter went back to ascertain 
the cause, and stooping down to investigate he blew into the fuse 
end of the shell ; and now, the explosion came with great suddenness 
and poor Elias' face was of the color of lamp black, and his eyes were 
closed for a fortnight. 

As a rule the boys were sociable, told stories, chaffed each other 
sometimes, and seldom quarreled seriously. One got along best by 
not being too sensitive. If it happened that while on the march 
some one outside the column recognized yon and yelled, "How are 
you, John ?" it was more than probable that the whole Regiment 
would take up the chorus, "How are you, John," swelling in volume 
as it went along. And it would not help matters by flying into a 
rage about it. 

jSTearly all the boys had either the Testament or the Bible, and 
devoted many hours to reading the Scriptures. At nine o'clock at 
night the "tattoo" was beaten, when lights had to be extinguished 
and all except those on duty were expected to turn into their bunks. 

During our stay near Fredericksburg we had our full share of 
picket duty to perform. The first detail from, our Regiment was 
made December 31st. I quote from my diary for that date: 

"This morning about one hundred and twentv men of our Regi- 
ment were detailed for picket duty. I was among the number. We 
were marched to Falmouth, thence west and up the Rappahannock a 
short distance where the first reserve halted. I was stationed about 
fifty rods above Falmouth on a high hill, and thus had an excellent 



514 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

view of the rebel batteries back from the river ; their position is very 
strongly fortified ; they have every elevated sjx)t entrenched and 
mounted with cannon. Close to and along. the river they have stone 
walls for the protection of their infantry." 

During the evening it rained, but cleared up very cold towards 
midnight, and not being allowed to have any fires, we suffered from 
the severe cold. The rebel pickets had blazing fires all along their 
line. The river here from Fredericksburg up is quite narrow with 
steep, rocky banks, so that our pickets were within a stone's throw 
i.f the rebels on the opposite side. Later on, towards s])riiig, we 
picketed from Fredericksburg down the river several miles. The 
Rappahannock is wider along the site of the old town, none of us 
being able to throw a stone across in our endeavor to emulate George 
Washington, who in his boyhood, it is said, accomplished the feat. 
The river is navigable to tliis point for small vessels. Its banks are 
not precipitous and along both, sides are cultivated fields. Some- 
times when no officers were in sight the rebel pickets would come on 
our side in a canoe to barter tobacco and papers for our fine coffee 
with which Uncle Sam supplied us bountifully. 

From Stafford Heights we had an excellent view of Fredericks- 
burg and the fortified hills beyond. The old soldiers pointed out to 
us the principal points of attack of our troops in the late battle, the 
most interesting locality of all being Marye Heights w:ith its stone 
wall along its base. Six separate assaults had been made on this 
position, close up to the stone wall, but each attempt was doomed to 
failure with great loss to our Army. T think the Yankee soldier ex- 
hibited greater bravery and fortitude in those hopeless assaults on 
that almost impregnable position than were displayed in the much 
vaunted charge of Pickett's Division at Gettysburg. But the stars 
and stripes now wave, and will forever wave, over Marye Heights, 
guarded by the sipirits of more than fifteen thousand Union soldiers 
now reposing on the bosom of its sunmiit. Soon after the War the 
Government secured the spot for a Soldiers' National Cemetery and 
thither were gathered the remains of the Federal soldiers, as many as 
could be found, who fell at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the Wil- 
derness and Spotsylvania. Could Washington liavo Ix'held, in his 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVJNU VOLUNTEERS 515 

mature years, with proplietic eye, the havoc that was to be wrouglit 
by those mighty hosts of his countrymen in fratricidal strife on the 
very ground, every nook and corner of which must have been familiar 
to him in his youthful days ; could he have looked upon the dreadful 
scenes that were to be enacted within a radius of fifteen miles from 
his old home, the fierce struggle and the awful slaughter of those bat- 
tles, his patriotic soul would have been overwhelmed with grief. 

After General Hooker assumed command of the Army there 
were instituted some changes, especially in the commissary depart- 
ment, which w^ere highly appreeia,ted by the men in the ranks. 
Bakeries were erected at various points in the camp of the Army and 
bread of an excellent quality was made and issued to the soldiers. 
My diary states that the first issue of bread was made Tuesday, Feb- 
ruary 10th. 

This may seem a trivial matter now ; then it was an imiwrtant 
event. Other luxuries were added to our bill of fare, for which we 
felt grateful. 

Our Regiment was rapidly acquiring fame as being one of the 
best drilled bodies of men in the Army. In proof of this statement 
suffice it to say that when General Hancock reviewed his Division, 
about eight thousand men, January 5, 1863, he sent an Aide after 
us to compliment us on our splendid appearance and almost perfect 
movement on the occasion. To be sure, the old soldiers of other regi- 
ments used to guy us about our paper collars, but we forgave them 
and looked down upon them in pity because of their ignorance of 
>uch luxuries in their simple lives, 

April 8th President Lincoln reviewed the Army of the Potomac. 
I was on picket this time and had the misfortune to be on similar 
duty on several subsequent occasions when he reviewed the Army 
and I never saw the man who is now acknowledged to have been the 
greatest of his time. 

Thursday, April 16th, the boys received from the Governmeni 
six months and eight or ten days' pay — some $80.00. They 
had not been paid before while in the service except $27.00 bounty 
which they received at Harrisburg, September 6, 1862. Some 
of the boys sent home nearly all of their pay. Since the 



516 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Government furnished almost everything to tlie soldier, there was 
no necessity to squander money. The temptations to spend one's 
money in "riotous living" were few; there were no "canteens" es- 
tablished within regimental environments where the boys could spend 
their money for beer and become dininkards; and the surrounding 
country was so poor that the traditional turkey could not have sur- 
vived in it an hour. But there were officers' commissaries at sundry 
places, close corporations maintained by the Government where offi- 
cers purchased their supplies at reasonable rates. Privates were pro- 
hibited from patronizing those except on orders from commissioned 
officers. At those institutions were kept in store many of the tempt- 
ing luxuries which the boys had been accnstomed to in former times, 
such as ham, eggs, butter, bread; and it must be confessed, even 
whiskey. Several of the boys were expert penmen and could closely 
imitate the signature of certain officers and it must have been aston- 
ishing to the commissary officials what an amount of eatables and 
liquids those Lieutenants and Oaptains consumed. Considerable sums 
of money went there. 

Last, but not least, must be noted the army sutler. He main- 
tained a sort of general store, under license, and supposed protection 
of the Government, where were sold almost everything in the line of 
eatables which were not issued to the soldiers by the Government and 
were kept in store all kinds of notions which a soldier would find con- 
venient to have. Yet the sutler was not always popular ; his prices 
were considered exorbitant and his gains correspondingly enormous. 
Eighty cents for a pound of ancient butter and five cents for a ginger 
snap not larger than a silver dollar were prices outrageously steep. 
If a soldier was improvident and bought on credit from the sutler, 
the latter presented the bill to the paymaster on pay day and drew 
the amount, leaving the balancei — ^sometimes a very small balance — 
to the soldier. However, the sutler was not altogether free from the 
calamities whicb may befall people who have cast tlieir lot with an 
army. The boys took the advantage of him and by hook or crook- 
got away A\nth his wares without compensating him. They were im- 
bued, in this respect, with the true Spartan spirit. They did not 
consider it a sin to steal from an enemy, but very reprehensible to be 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 517 

detected in the act. I remember how Comrade Charles B , with 

a complacent, almost saintly look, used to saunter up to the sutler's 
tent, when there were no customers present, survey with delibers' 
tion the many good things before him, and then ask for some small 
trinket in the remotest corner of the establishment, and while the 
sutler's back was turned, lean over the counter and by rapid, dexter- 
ous manipulations, transfer cans of condensed milk, canned fruit 
and other delicacies into the enormous rear pockets of his army over- 
coat, receptacles prepared for adventures of that kind. This opera- 
tion would be repeated several times — as often or long as circum- 
stances seemed auspicious. Once in a while the sutler's establishment 
was "rushed." A number of the soldiers would assemble around the 
tent, cut the ropes and pull down the structure, and then with amaz- 
ing rapidity the goods would disappear. Under such dire circum- 
stances the sutler fled in "tumultuous and terrific haste." 

As an apt illustration of army red tape methods, the following 
episode, in which, Comrade Daniel J. Johnson and myself figure as 
the chief but unheroic actors is here introduced: While lying in 
camp near Fredericksburg during the winter of 1862 and 1S63, 
a great deal of sickneSiS prevailed in the Regiment. In 
Company A all except four had succumbed to fever and other 
diseases in succession — not all at once^ — so that those who 
retained health were obliged to be on picket and guard duty 
almo^Jt continually. The sick were- put into comfortable hos- 
pitals at suitable locations. There was quite an extensive hos- 
pital at Brook's Station on the railroad four or five miles east from 
our camp. And an, attempt to visit several of our sick comrades at 
that point on the part of Mr. Johnson and myself opens this story. 
One beautiful spring morning, Sunday, April 19th, we asked per- 
mission of Captain Forster to visit our sick at the station just men- 
tioned ; he gave us oral permission readily ; it was all right. The 
boys were in the habit all winter of straying at will over the whole 
territory occupied by the different Army Corps. But General 
Hooker, contemplating soon to open the spring campaign, had issued 
orders to the patrols to pick up all soldiers found beyond the limits 



518 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

of their respective regimental grounds, if not provided with passes. 
This order went into effect that very morning and the General had 
failed to inform Johnson and myself of the fact. In due time we 
reached the long railroad bridge spanning Potomac Creek and as we 
entered the west end of the lofty structure, we noticed a squad of four 
men under a Sergeant coming towards us from the other end of the 
'bridge. We felt somewhat apprehensive but went bravely on ; we met 
them on the center of tlie bridge and the Sergeant kindly but firmly 
invited us, in default of passes to "fall in." We endeavored to ex- 
plain to him how it came that we had no passes ; that we wished to 
visit our sick comrades at the hospital just beyond and plainly in 
view, but the obdurate Sergeant was not moved by our pathetic 
appeal, and the paucity of his remarks plainly showed that he felt 
no sympathy for us nor the distressed comrades at the hospital whom 
we had/ hoped to cheer by our presence. Meanwhile the squad was 
escorti^ig us back whence we came, but deflected sufficiently from 
our r^ute to land us in a guard house of one of the brigades of the 
Fifth Corps. Here our story was repeated to the officer in charge, 
but he' was not affected sufficiently to vouch us a reply. Sometime in 
the afternoon an Orderly with a big yellow envelope stuck under his 
bell, presented himself, called our names and ordered us to follow 
him. We followed. He led us to the guard house of one of the 
divisions of the Fifth Corps. Cur story was again rehearsed, almost 
with tears. It produced no visible effect. After the necessary delay 
the inevitable escort, with the big envelope under his belt, appeared, 
called our names and commanded us to fall in. This was a new man 
again and a new document as well. It was a new outfit every time a 
fresh start was made. The distance to be traversed was evidently 
increasing, for this Orderly was on horseback. And we found thai 
the distance to headquarters of the Fifth Corps, whither we were 
taken nexf, was considerable. Guard house again. 

I had lost faith in endeavoring to explain our situation to guard 
house officials, as I began to perceive that red tape had to be carried 
out to the last infinitesimal thread thereof. But Comrade Johnson 
rehearsed, as heretofore, and improved in the delivery. The next 
Orderly who called us out Avas also on horseback, the yellow envelope 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 519 

under his belt being conspicuous. Our course now lay in the direc- 
tion of General Hooker's army headquarters, a large brick building 
on Stafford Heights, in plain view, of Fredericksburg. Here, also, 
were the provost headquarters of the Anny of the Potomac. General 
Patrick was in oommand and to him our escort introduced us, not in 
a formal way with accompanying and mutual salutations, but by 
simply handing him the yellow envelope. The General read its con- 
tents. Meanwhile Comrade Johnson was making the usual explana- 
tions with pathos and volubility. By this time he had acquired consid- 
erable oratorical efRciency. The grizzled old General looked us over 
a moment in a sort of a paternal manner, tihe suspicion of a pitying 
smile flitting across his stern face but he said nothing, merely 
nodded to the escort in the direction of' a camp some fifty yards 
across the way, whither we were then led. This proved to be the 
prison pen of the Army. It occupied a space of two acres probably, 
and there were set up in it a number of the large circular Sibley 
tents, quarters for the pirisoners tJiere confined. There was no stock- 
ade or enclosure of any kind ; the place was guarded by a company 
or battalion of Regulars. We were free to roam anywhere within 
the limits of the camp and to enter any tent in which room could be 
found. We selected a tent which was not crowded, but the surround- 
ings were not pleasant. There was not a stool, bench, bunk or any- 
thing whatever in the tent except a few burning sap pine sticks on a 
pile in the center which emitted more smoke than heat. It was now 
almost night. Meanwhile it began to rain and as we had neither 
overcoat or blanket we became chilly. Some kind of rations were 
furnished us which were thankfully accepted as we did not have any 
dinner. 

Curling up round the smoldering sticks, on the damp ground, 
without any covering, we endeavored to secure some sleep, apprehen- 
sive all the time of our clothes becoming infested with the festive 
army "gray back." Our Regiment was distant from our prison 
camp not more than five miles, yet we could not send word to our 
officers about our predicament, nor were we released. The only way 
to communicate with them was by letter, which was done, but it re- 
quired a message several days, as it would first go to Washington, 



520 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

thence back to the Eegiment. Several cavalry soldiers, who had been 
picked up the same as we, occupied the tent with us. The prisoners 
of this camp were a promiscuous crew. They were deserters, bounty 
jumpers and criminals of our own Army; there were a number of 
long haired citizens of all classes, suspects of the neighborhood, be- 
sides rebel prisoners and rebel deserters. On the first night we were 
startled by the report of several shots. Next day we learned that a 
prisoner had escaped and was fired after. My diary states for Thurs- 
day, April 23d: "Three rebel deserters came in last night, but the 
rebel prisoners would not allow them to occupy the same tent with 
them." Among the Conifederate prisoners was a Lieutenant of the 
famous Black Horse Cavalry of Virginia, with whom I became ac- 
quainted. In regard to the organization to which he belonged, he 
said it was not near so numerous as was popularly supposed. He 
and I got along quite sociably until our conversation drifted into 
politics. Then we were soon at variance. He said Lincoln would 
proclaim himself a dictator. I strenuously denied it. He reiter- 
ated. I intimated that he was a liar. We then mutually consigned 
each other to anotlier clime and agreed to fight it out if ever we 
should meet in battle. To my recollection we never met. 

The scenes of prison camp were ever shifting' ; prisoners of every 
description were being brought in continually, while those within were 
being discharged as rapidly or sent to Washington and other points 
north. I witnessed an occurrence during our sojourn here at the 
prison camp producing an impression on my mind which these many 
years have failed to efface. As already stated, the camp was guarded 
by soldiers of the Regular Army. Most, if not all, of them were 
new recruits ; mere boys who had not yet acquired all the intricacies 
of military drill. A spider-legged young stripling of a Second Lieu- 
tenant, lately arrived from West Point, was officer of the day, 1 
tliiid-:. At any rate, he happened to pass one of these young senti- 
nels ')ii the beat who failed to salute his mighty highness, the Sec- 
ond Lieutenant of the Regular Army, with that exactness and alac- 
rity of movement which a rigid construction of the Army Regula- 
tions required, or that was his just due as an officer of such lofty 
rank and pretentions. Whereupon tlio Lieutenant swore at him, 



VHE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 521 

cursed him and threatened to run his sword through him, all of which 
abuse the trembling recruit bore in silence, not daring to open his 
mouth. My blood boiled as I looked on. Of all the unpleasant 
features of army life there was nothing so loathsome to the volun- 
teer soldier as this arbitrary, tyrannical assumption of authority on 
the part of some officers. But this sort of officers in the Civil War 
were the exception, not the rule, for which fact the soldier in the 
ranks was devoutly thankful. This fellow was probably the son 
of some saloon keeper or beer brewer of New York City who had 
sufficient political "pull" to secure the appointment of his son to 
West Point, 

Looking back in the light of the history of some men who 
achieved a great name in that War, we can state with certainty what 
they severally would have done if chance had placed them in the 
position of the young Lieutenant. General John Sedgwick, dressed 
in plain army blouse and slouch hat, whom his boySi often familiarly 
addressed "John," would have said, "Never mind saluting me every 
time I pass," General Llancock would have said nothing, but he 
would probably have cast his piercing glance across the shoulders of 
the sentinel in search of the officer in command with a view of read- 
ing him one of those pointed, explosive lectures of his which were 
record breaking in their line, for he was never kno^vn tO' reprove a 
private for any irregularity, but he diligently sought for the officer 
in charge and then — but we drop the curtain on the harrowing scene. 
General Grant, had he noticed the incident at all, Avould have taken 
the musket from the hands of the boy and kindly shown him how. 
And finally what would our own Colonel have done in the premises ? 
Why, in order tO' give a needed demonstration of an important lesson 
to be learned, he would have gTasped the musket, and placed himself 
in the sentinel's position, while the latter would have been invested in 
a brief authority as a superior officer, for don't we have the proof — 
of analogy, at least} — of such a thing in the celebrated case of his 
versus Sweitzer which occurred about the same time ? 

On Thursday of same week our names were again called and we 
were led by a mounted escort, armed with the inevitable yellow en- 
velope in his belt, to Second Corps headquarters, thence by descend- 



522 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

iiig climax, from one headquarters to another, by successive escorts, 
until we reached our own regimental headquarters. The. Colonel did 
not impose any punishment but simply made some remark about the 
prodigal sons having returned and dismissed us, without ordering the 
fatted calf to be killed. During our enforced absence several of the 
boys had written home, stating that Comrade Johnson aud I had 
deserted, garnishing their tale with a profusion of imaginary facts. 
Looking back now to our prison experience, I am constrained to say 
that a soldier's military life has not been fully rounded out unless he 
has been at one time or other in the guard house. 

A series of rapid, strategic moves on the militarv chess board, 
the Army of the Potomac, with the exception of the Sixth Corps, 
finds itself in battle array on the south side of the Rappahannock 
River at Chancellorsville. Our Division (First Division, Second 
Corps) which had crossed the river on pontoons at United States Ford, 
in the evening of April 30th, by a night march, reached the position 
assigned it at ten o'clock in the night, without any molestation on the 
part of the enemy. The distance was not more than nine or ten 
miles, but we were' loaded down with eight days' rations, and the 
column was nnich retarded by masses of other troops along the route. 
It was a beautiful moonlight night, which made the march over 
woodland roads less disagreeable. The Army wasi in splendid fight- 
ing condition, due in a great measure to the reforms introduced by 
the zeal and energy of General Hooker. He is also accorded nmch 
praise by military critics for the skill and grand strategs^ he dis- 
played in massing his immense Army so successfully in such an ad- 
vantageous position. 

Desiring to avoid needless repetitions, 1 shall not attemi)t to 
write a detailed history of the share our Regiment took in the battle 
of Chancellorsville, but rather give some of the reminiscences of the 
great contest, record some of the impressions of a soldier's ex]>eriences 
in his first battle and mention some historical facts incidentallv. \ 

Friday morning found us in bivouac along the borders of a \ 
small, cloariim', within half an hour's march of Chancellorsville. j 
Not many of the troops of the other corps were visible to us, 
for the whole region round alxnit was forest with heavy under- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 523 

brush in most places, with a fmv clearings intersipersed here and 
there. At ten o'clock we got under arms and began to move towards 
the front where was heard heavy cannonading and musketry. It was 
a delightful si)ring morning. The sun shone bright and warm, the 
trees were jnst heginning to put forth their green lenves and the 
grass and early flowers had already changed the grayish sandy soil 
10 brighter and more attractive hues. Our column passed the Chan- 
cellor House, a large brick building then, but now modernized 
and reduced to two-thirds its former dimensions. This was the only 
building in sight, situated on the now famous Old Turnpike leading 
past, thence east to Fredericksburg, ten miles distant, and wasi Gen- 
eral Hooker's headquarters during the first stages of the battle. 
There was a busy scene about the old mansion, more stirring and 
momentous than it had ever experienced in the palmy days of the 
southern chivalry, and their hilarious gatherings there on great 
occasions. 

Going into battle is a serious matter, an ordeal which the brav- 
est dread. Outwardly, some may not exhibit a sign of fear, but 
it requires all the will power a brave man is able to put forth to 
stand in ranks to be shot at — one feels as though he were suspended 
over eternity by a slender thread. Some boasted they were not 
afraid, but they were mere cowardly blow-horns who always slunk 
out of ranks, or hid behind rock or trees in the rear when the bullets 
began to whistle. There seem to be well attested instances of sol- 
diers having presentiments of wounds or death on going into battle. 
1 know of one instance, however, in which the supposed premonition 
of death in an engagement failed to come true. As we approached 
Chancellorsville on our way to the front. Comrade John A. 
Miller, by my side, said, ''Henry, I will be killed in this battle. 1 
feel it; here take my pocketbook and papers and send them to my 
family when I am dead." I told him that he could not know whether 
he would be killed or not; besides I would be as liable to be hit as he, 
and I declined to take his money and papers. Well, Mr, Miller went 
through that fight without receiving a, scratch and through all the 
subsequent battles of the War in which the Eegiment took a part, 
with the exception of some slight skirmish somewhere, and he never 



624 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

was hurt more seriously than a slight wound of one of his thumbs. 

With their names and place of residence legibly written on the 
Hy leaf of diary or Bible, or stamped on metallic badges securely 
fastened to their clothes, for the purpose of identification in the event 
of being left dead upon the field, steadily our rather sad looking 
boys moved in the direction of the firing in front. Notwithstanding 
the seriousness of the occasion, we could not refrain from smiling at 
the sight of the myriads of cards strewn all along the w^hole breadth 
of the road, and among the bushes along the sides, lying thick as 
autumnal leaves. The troops that passed along the road before us 
to enter the battle flung away their decks of cards for the reason that 
none of the boys would have a report go home, in case they should be 
badly wounded or killed, that there was found on their person a deck 
of cards. Other scenes, productive of graver thoughts now presented 
themselves. Streams of wounded soldiers were coming back from 
the battle then in progress ; wounds of all descriptions met the view ; 
some of the men dragged themselves along by the aid of rude 
crutches; some came with a shattered arm dangling by their side 
arid others more seriously hurt, were brought in on ambulance or 
stretcher. 

We were formed in line of battle on a hill about one and a half 
miles from Chancellorsville in the direction of Fredericksburg, on 
the right of the Turnpike, and at right angles to it, facing east. As 
we filed into position we observed one of our skirmish lines ascend- 
ing, at a slow pace, a hill to our left and front, firing as they ad- 
vanced. We noticed some dropping down killed or wounded. This 
was our first view of a battle, and to us inexperienced soldiers it was 
magnificent. The rebel batteries sent shells over us, above the tree 
tops in the direction of Chancellor House; the roar of Uie artillery, 
the unearthly screech of the shells overhead, and the explosions 
which followed, all that was magnificent, too. Later on, however, 
their batteries got the range of our position and when shells began to 
smash things right in our midst it became decidedly unpleasant. Our 
military ardor w^hich had been raised to a high pitch by the carnival 
of war around us, cooled very rapidly under the potent influence of 
the bursting shells. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 525 

Sometime in the afternoon General Hooker began to draw in his 
lines, which move, it is claimed, was a great mistake. At any rate, 
the grand success that had attended all his operations up to that 
moment, now was followed by a series of reverses to the end of the 
campaign. Our command was also withdrafwn from our advanced 
position and posted in the clearing about the Chancellor House, the 
right of our Regiment resting close to the building. We lay down 
and "watched for the Confederates who' in a brief time came swarm- 
ing through the woods towards our position. One of our batteries, 
Pettit's, about fiftv yards in rear of ouv line, opened fire over our 
heads, with shell and grape and canister, and checked the rebel ad- 
vance. Some of the wooden blocks used in packing canister, and 
fragments of several shells which had exploded prematurely, came 
do^\^l into our ranks. The boys yelled at the men of the battery and 
they ceased firing. One of these missiles went through the body of 
Comrade Holloway, of Company D, the first man killed of our Regi- 
ment. We soon again changed position and Companies A and I were 
detached from the Regiment and put forward as skirmishers. We 
remained out all night as pickets, with orders to keep awake, which 
precaution seemed to us quite necessary, though, it was difficult to 
keep the eyes open. About ten o'clock at night we heard the voice 
of a Confederate officer some distance in our front giving the com- 
mand, "Forward." Similar commands were given at intervals and 
were becoming more distinct, and finally the rustling of tlie leaves 
on the ground and the snapping of twigs, showed that the enemy was 
close at hand. But then the command, "Halt," was given by the 
same officer, and the night attack, which we expected, did not come 
off, rather to our regret, as it was a beautiful moonlight nig'ht and our 
boys being concealed behind trees and logs would have had the ad- 
vantage of the first volley at close range. 

On the following morning, May 2d, we had a skirmish 
with the enemy at eight o'clock. Companies D, C, H and G, having 
in charge the colors, w^ere separated from the Regiment and placed 
in position in another part of the field. The terrible ordeal these 
companies went through the following morning, Sunday, May 3d, 
will be narrated by others having in charge the general history of 



526 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

the Regiment. Companies A, B, E, F, I and K remained on the 
picket line which extended north from and at right angles to the 
Tnrnpike, tlie left of the line curving west, the Chancellor House 
being to the rear. This was a fortunate circumstance for those com- 
panies, because they suffered but few casualties in the skirmishes 
that they participated in Saturday evening and Sunday morning. 
During a certain period of the fight Colonel K. O. Broady, of the 
61st ]^ew York, a heavy set Scotchman with a strong Scottish 
brogue, commanded our part of the skirmish line. He experienced 
some trouble in manoeuvring the line through the thick underbnish 
and over swampy places. The boys may still remember how he re- 
peatedly called, during an awkward hitch in tlie operation, for Lieu- 
tenant Blank, who was supposed to be in charge of a certain portion 
of the line, ''Where is Lieutenant Blank? Where is Lieu'tenant 
Blank ?" Lieutenant Blank, in response to these urgent calls, finally 
emerged from behind a tree', rather far in the rear, whereupon 
Colonel Broady remarked, "Lieutenant Blank, you ought to be at 
home with your mother and eat butter bread," to the intense delight 
of the boys, for the lofty airs and strutting manner of the Lieutenant 
in times past, had not endeared him greatly to his company. Occa- 
sionally, as the exigencies of the situation required. Colonel Broady 
gave the command, "Lie down" in such broad, deep-toned accents 
that the boys could not repress a smile, -and later, whenever the 
Colonel came within sight of the boys, he could have heard, if his 
hearing was not too dull, the refrain, "lie do\\Ti," in tones rivaling 
that of the musical frog in the pond. 

About dusk, Saturday, a tremendous uproar began on the right 
of our Army. There was a continuous roar of m,usketry and thun- 
der of cannon, 'acconqianied by cheers and yells of men in deadly con- 
llict. The evening being cahii and sultry, the tumult of the struggle 
resounded through the forest with such terrible distinctness that we 
imagined the awful scene to be quite close to our position. The 
battle continued until after dark. It need hardly be stated that this 
was Jackson's assault on the Eleventh Corps, but as our picket line 
was strung along thmugh the woods and being isolated from the rest 
of the Arniv in a nianii(>r we did nut know what mouientous events 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 527 

were then transpiring. Nor had we much time to conjectiire, for the 
rebels made an attack on our line, at about the same time, and kept 
it up until long- after dark. Col. Nelson A. Miles, no<^v Lieutenant 
General of the Army (retired) was in charge of the picket line and 
was in our midst about the time of the attack by the rebels and the 
boys remember him as a very youthful looking officer. 

To our right a number of our men, but of some other regiment, 
were wounded and killed and re-enforcements being sent for. Captain 
Forster, of our company, called for ten volunteers to take the place 
of those that fell and a sufficient number of us responded, passed to 
the right several hundred yards and occupied points assigTied us. 
W. C. Meyer is the only one of these ten whom I can now remember. 
Orders were issued to put up entrenchments and all night we chopped 
down trees, dug pits and succeeded in erecting formidable works. 
It was well this precaution wa-s taken, for at an e-arly hour on the 
following morning (Sunday) the rebels again opened on us. But 
we felt secure. In our front was a tangle of underbrush. Our en- 
trenchments were strong, and though our force was merely a heavy 
skirmish line, many a Johnny would have dropped before the enemy 
could have surmounted all those obstacles. We held this position 
until near noon, and all this time were ignorant about the result of 
the conflict on the right of our Army which we beard the evening 
before, or what had taken place in the same locality up to thati mo- 
ment. Were our troops successful, or did they suffer defeat ? These 
were anxious thoughts. But we were not to be left in doubt much 
longer. Shells began to drop in rapid succeission into our line, com- 
ing from the direction of Chancellorsville. At first it was supposed 
that our own batteries were trying to send shells across our men into 
the lines of the enemy, and that the guns were not properly elevated. 
A Lieutenant went back to notify our batteries of their mistake. He 
brought the intelligence that they were rebel guns. Huge volumes 
of smoke arose to our rear, caused, as we learned later, by the burn- 
ing of Chancellor House. Captain Forster having been wounded 
during the morning. May 3d, was obliged to go to the rear and Lieut. 
S. S. Wolf assumed command of the company. 



528 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

It now became plainly and painfully evident that we were being 
hemmed in on all sides by the enemy. We beat a hasty retreat, 
every man for himself, and by taking advantage of several deep 
ravines, and by an acceleration of speed, we succeeded in extricating 
ourselves out of the trap. Our picket line to the right of us was 
captured. As we emerged from the woods and entered a small field, 
we saw the entrenchments of a new line on the opposite side. In 
this field were a mass of retiring troops, leisurely and without forma- 
tion, moving in the direction of the new line of works, just men- 
tioned. Looking back across the field in the direction of Chancellors- 
ville, I noticed coming up at a gallop, a Confederate^ battery and 
tJ'king positioii in the "woods on the other side of the clearing. In 
loss time than it takes to tell it, they were in position and opened 
a terrific stomn of shot and shell into our retreating troops, and it 
accelerated their retreat wonderfully. The sickening, dull thud of 
the cannon balls tearing through tlieir mass was distinctly heard 
from my point of observation, two hundred yards away from the' 
scene. When thie field was clear our batteries opened on those of the 
rebels and silenced them in a moment. After I got inside our new 
line, a piece of shell grazed my right leg above the knee. I dropped 
my gun and clapped both hands to the spot and thinking that half 
the limb was cut off, I dreaded to look down. The injury was not 
very serious, however, simply a black spot as large a.s a hand, and 
my leg stiff for a, day. 

Xow we first learned of the events of the evening before, and 
that Sunday morning, which occurred on the right of the Army ; the 
flight of die Eleventh Corps, the terrible loss tlie balance of our 
Regiment sustained, only a few hours before, and the severe wound- 
ing of Colonel Beaver, which, at the time, was reported to be fatal. 
Company D suffered most and was- reduced fi-om sixty-five men to 
eleven, who, for the time being, were joined to Company A. Here 
at tihe apex of 'tihe new line we lay until our withdrawal to the north 
side of the Rappahannock. 

We heard the cannonading at Fredericksburg, and learned of 
its capture by Sedgwick, and later, also, of his retreat. !N^ews from 
every part of the field was discouraging. Hooker had been stunned 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 529 

by a cannon ball striking a pillar of Chancellor House, against 
which he had been leaning, rendering him very incapable to command 
the Army, though he relinquished his authority to General Couch, 
next in rank, for only a few hours. We saw him sometime after 
the accident, as he rode past ; he looked pale and dejected. 

The enemy did not attack our new position seriously, but there 
were frequent artillery duels of short duration. The indifference to 
danger and the hardness of heart thoset old veteran artillerists ex- 
hibited, at least those who were in close proximity to us on our new 
position, were surprising to us new soldiers, and really shocking. to 
our moral sensibilities. During those intervals of inaction, they, in 
groups of four, squatted themselves down on the outstretched corners 
of a rubber blanket, deposited by their respective sides wads of 
greenbacks, produced a deck of cards, and then gambled until the 
Johnnies opened on them with shot and shell. Then, hastily grasp- 
ing their respective "piles'" and the other accessories of the game, 
they rushed to the guns and opened a furious counterstorm of hiss- 
ing, screaming missiles on the enemy. AfteT the racket subsided, 
they calmly and deliberately resumed their places on the blanket, and 
reopened the game at the point where it had been interrupted. This 
performance was repeated a number of times. 

Monday, May 4th, both sides seemed comparatively inactive, ex- 
cept that at 4:00 p. m., the rebels shelled our position, continuing 
for about half an hour. On the 5th we anticipated an attack by 
the enemy, and Ave received orders to hold our position at all hazards. 
A heavy thunderstoi'm. burst over us and continued till dark. This 
fact was thought to be the reason why the attack was not mad 3. 
But they Avould not have taken us by surprise as they did the 
Eleventh Corps, and our position would have been held. In the 
evening, May 5th, we received orders to keep ourselves in readiness 
to move at a moment's notice. It now daiwned upon us that the 
campaign was a complete failure and that we would retreat. At 
one o'clock that night our mairoh for the rear began, and at 9 :00 
A. M., May 6th, we recrossed the Rappahamnook at United States 
Ford, and on the same day repossessed our old quarters near Fal- 
mouth. That was a memorable night; the boys trudged along through 



530 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

the flowing mud, over roots and stumps, in moody silence. They 
were mad ; to j ostle one v»^ith the weight of the lititle finger, was to 
cause an exploisiion. One said, Comrade Jesse L — , "I woukl sell 
the Union for a loaf of bread, darn the Eleventh Corps." 

One coiuld hardly expect much prowess in the boys after that 
campaigTi ; they felt gloomy ; they were much disheartened ; the 
rumor that our retreat was made because of the possibility of the 
river rising and sweeping away the pontoon bridges, thus cutting off 
the supplies of the Army, did not seem a satisfactory explanation. 
The stern fact remained that we were licked, and the termination 
of the War seemed farther off than ever. But the Yankee soldier is 
peculiax; hds inability to staiy "licked" is an element of superiority 
in his military oomposition over that of any other nationality. All 
he wants, after a defeat, is one or two squarei meals, a night's rest 
and sleep, and his buoyancy of spirits return, and in his next battle 
he will fight "like the devil." 

We took some comfort in blaming the Eleventh Corps in general, 
and the Germans in that co'rps, in partieulai', as being the cause of 
all our misfortune. The feeling against this corps among the troops 
was bitter, and for a long time the boys called it the ''flying half 
moon." The taunt being an allusion tO' the corps badge which was a 
half moon, and to the wild flight of its troops. 

The following incident fully illustrates the sentiment of 
the tro()])s on the subject. On our r('tr(^at fr(Hii tlie si)uth side 
of the river, one of the unfortunate members of the Eleventh 
Corps straggled, during the night, into our column, daylight 
coming, his half moon badge was revealed, and that betrayed 
liini. Major Fairlanib, who then commanded the Regiment, 

saw him, and yelled, ''Get out of this, you ;" the boys yelled, 

"Shoot him," "Kill him," and the poor fellow retired to seek more 
congenial companionship. But in justice to the men of that corps, 
let it be rememhered that on many a hotly contesiteid field, later in 
the War, they nobly redeemed themselves. The offiicers, certain ones, 
deserve the blame for all the m,isfoTtune suffered on the occasion, 
because they failed after repeated warning's, to guard again ~t sur- 
prise and make preparations to check the assault of Jackson's Corps. 



TlIK 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 531 

It was said at the time that the Germans in the corps were greatlv 
dissatisfied with General Howard; they would have preferred to fii!;ht 
"mid General Sigel," as their commander. 

Hoioker was popular with the men of the Army ; he was of fine 
pliysiqne, ccimmanding presence, an ideal soldier, wdio had justly 
earned the distinguished sobriquet, "Fighting Joe," hut the boys 
began to doubt his ability of han:dling a large army. 

Chancellorsville passed into history as a badly managed affair, 
of an Army suffering defeat, while one-third of its number, thirty- 
five thousand men, never got an opportunity to fire a gun. 

A battle possesses a wonderful potency for separating the chaff 
from the wheat in a regiment.. The blowhoni, who' was in the habit 
of boasting of his great prowess, will, thereafter, key his horn to a 
lower pitch ; the strutting officer of lofty mien and arrogant s]>eech, 
lacking "sand" to back liis pretensions, will subside into becoming 
humility. Thenceforth the cowardly private will "play off" sick, 
and secure a discharge, if he can, or desert ; the officer who loathes the 
smell of gunpowder, w^ill find an excuse to resign, and the diff'erence 
])ctween the crime of desertion on the part of the private, and the 
dishonorable resignation on the part of the officer, lies purely in the 
resultis wdiich may follow ; the one may be shot for his offense, while 
the other may be rewarded with a seat in Ccngress by a grateful 
constituency. 

The Army of the Potomac resumed business at the old stand. 
We cleaned our guns, fixed up things generally, rested, and took 
advantage of the opportunity to secure a. goo'd night's sleep. This 
last statement may seen funny, but it is a, fact that from the time 
we crossed the Rappahannoek, April 30th, until our return, ^lay 
<ith, we did not enjoy five hours' sound sleep. 

May 19ith the Regiment changed its camp, moving farther east 
about a mile, near to the railro'ad. On the same day Orderly Ser- 
geant W. W. Bierly and Sergeant J. T. Jones came back from the 
hospital to the company. On the fidlowing day Lieut. Col. Robt. 
^vIcFarland, who had been home on a sick leave, returned tO' the 
Regiment. Monday, June Ist, the boys received $26.00 eadi, two 
month's pay. June 4th Capt. R. H. Forster, of our company, who 



532 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

had been wounded at Ciiancellorsville, returned from a twenty days' 
sick leaA'e. There were many "rumors of war" about this time, and 
signs of impending military operations on a large scale. Troops on 
our side were continually in motion; the Sixtli Corps had crossed 
the Rappahannock several miles below Fredericksburg, and in- 
tienohed itself. The Confederates were observed throwing up new 
Inios of entrenchments along their old positions back of Fredericks- 
burg. Our signal corps made daily ascensions in a balloon to spy 
out the operations of the enemy. The latter would sometimes shell 
the balloon, causing it to descend in haste. It was ascertained, 
finally, thait Lee was passing by our right, north. June- 13th we 
learned that our military stores were being removed from Falmouth 
and the station torn down. On tihe same day the sick of the hospital 
v,ere removed Nortli. 

Sunday evening at dark, June 14th, we began the mareK to 
Gettysburg. Our Cori>s was the last of the troops to leave the old 
camp about Falmouth. At break of day, on the 16th, we fell into 
ranks to resume our march. First, however, other important matters 
demanded our attention. The days were excessively hot, our bag- 
gage was intolerably heavy, and each one of the boys took an in- 
ventory of his belongings to ascertain what articles of luxury might 
be dispensed with, and the burden lightened. As for myself, 1 fore 
oft half of my woolen blanket and huug it on the bu^;he.■^ — and bv the 
way, the remnant retained suffered a similar mutilation next morn- 
ing — bade adieu to my best friend, my army overcoat, a pair of ex- 
cellent boots I discarded and put on the army shoe, because the 
latter is the most comfortable and senaceable footgear for hard march- 
ing. Other articles were eliminated from the pile. But there are a 
few things to which a soldier will stick under all circumstances ; they 
are his rubber blanket, his half of a shelter tent, his Bible or Testa- 
ment, his diary, if he keeps one, pen, ink, some paper, and several] 
smaller itenis which are not cumbersome, such as combs, pocket look- 
ing glass, small case of thread and needles. The long weary march] 
in heat and dust is matter of history and is well described in other' 
stories. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 533 

While bivouacked at Occoquan River we gave our money to our 
Chaplain Stevens to take home for ns. It is said that an amount 
exceeding $30,000 was given him on the occasion, a fact which shows 
that the boys placed unlimited confidence in their Chaplain. 

We remained in camp at Thoroughfare Gap until the morning 
of the 25th. Our sojourn in that nighborhood is one of the few 
pleasant meanories of our soldier life. The scenery of the place is 
beautiful, cherries and mulberries were abundant, and war, ap- 
parently, had not laid its blighting hand on everything in sight. 
Here we first got an introduction to Col. Edward E. Cross, of the 
5th Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers, who was placed in com- 
mand of our Brigade. His demeanor towards our Regiment from 
the beginning did not impress us favorably. 

During this day's march an incident occurred which roused the 
indignation of both the officers and privates of the l-iSth Regiment 
to the highest pitch. Several of the men of Coinpany G, in crossing a 
small stream, caused some delay in some way or other, and Colonel 
Cross, our brigade commander, seeing the transaction, flew into a 
passion and struck one of the men with the sword. In five minutes 
every man in the Regiment knew of the act. 

My diary entry for June 26th, is as follows: 

"We resumed our mardi 7 :00 a. m., arriving at Edwards Ferry 
on the Potomac at 2 :00 p. m., rested here until the wagon trains 
had crossed on the pontoons; we crossed at midnight and camped 
in Maryland, It rained nearly all day; distance marched, sixteeo 
miles." 

On the north side of the Potomac we found excellent roads ; it 
was an entirely different country from the one we had just left; 
evidences of the industry, thrift and prospeirity of the people ap- 
peared on all sides ; farms in fine condition, substantial dwelling 
houses, large barns, and sleek cattle grazing in the fields. 

On the 29th the ooi-ps resumed its march at 8 :00 a. m., and pass- 
ing through a number of small villages, over good roads, reached 
Uniontown after night, having made a record breaking march of 
tliirty-five miles. The day happened to be cool, otherwise it would not 
have been possible to make such a distance. Many pleasant incidents 
occurred during the day to lighten the toil and severity of that long 



534 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

march. At every farm house, and in every village, along our routej 
the people, old and young, stood in front of their homes with buckets 
of water, baskets with breaid, cakes and other eatables, which they 
distributed among the boys as they passed, until their provisions 
were all gone, meantime speaking words of welcome, sympathy and 
encouragement. Such demonstrations we had not been acoxustomed to 
farther south in Dixie. There was a great deal of straggling that 
day ; the degree of endurance of individuals varies, of course, and 
it is only the most hardy that will be able to make such a march ; the 
weaker ones will fall back, and on that occasion not more than 
half the men were in ranks when the different regiments went into 
bivouac. But the stragglers came up during the night. Utterly 
worn out by the toilsome march, their clothes wet from perspiraition. ■ 
numbers of the boys simply dropped down on the bare ground, as | 
they reached the place of bivouac, pulled a rubber blanket or a 
piece of a shelter tent over them, and fell asleep in a moment, with- 
out making coffee or partaking of a mouthful of food. 

The night having been quite cool, many of the boys caugiit a 
severe cold ; and they would have been in a poor condition to resume 
the marcli the following morning, but fortunately for them, the Corps 
remained in camp all day. I was sick. 

Our next destination was Gettysburg, soon to beccme famous as 
the scene of one of the most sanguinary and momentous battles of the 
century. Comrade Nathaniel Bierly of the drum corps, carried my 
gun for me, for which act of kindness I felt very graiteful. Late in 
the afternoon an ambulance passed us to the rear with the corpse of 
General Reynolds. On the route we passed a group of badly fright- 
ened young ladies who told us that the rebels were not far off, and 
they "hoped to God" we would defeat them! It was dark when our 
Corps went into bivouac, in line of battle, across the Tancyto\^m road, 
within several miles of Gettysburg. 

Early in the morning of July 2d, after a rigid inspection of our 
arms, our (\»ri>s moved forward and took position on a slightly ele- | 
rated ridge about midway between Cemetery Hill, north, and Little 
Round Top, south, facing west. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 535 

The Confederate soldiers had been living, for the two weeks 
previous, on the "fat of the land." Their march north was made b}' 
easy stages, and they were in excellent fighting trim. On our side, 
there would have; been some' exoiiise for discouragement; our recent 
reverses and the frequent change of commanders, would tend to 
lessen confidence. Our boys had made toilsome marches, under a 
broiling sun, just on the eve of battle. They were pale, tired, and not 
in a fit condition physically to engage in a. prolonged battle. But it 
was imperative that our Army should be victorious ; defeat would 
have meant ti'eanendoiis loss to the cause of the Union, and to the last- 
ing honor of our brave soldiers, the accoimt tiiey gave of themselves, 
during those momentous days, in spite of these depressing influences 
was magnificent. It wiped from Northern soil henceforth forever 
the rebel horde, and changed their supercilious sneer into a look of 
horror and dismay. 

All day we lay on the ground in the hot sun, in line of battle. 
Desultory firing on skirmish and picket lines, cannonading at inter- 
vals in order to develop the positions of the opposing sides, troops 
moving wheTever the eye could see, batteries ranging into position, 
orderlies and aides galloping to and fro — these were the events and the 
panoramic scenes preparatory to ai great battle. We had read in the 
p;;]icrs of McC^lellan's soldiers, in the series of 'battles on the Penin- 
sula, lying down along side of batteries an;d going to sleep while tbe 
roar of battle went on ; this seemed incredible, but such a, possibility 
was verified that day at Gettysburg. While lying in the hot sun in 
line of battle, some of the boys slept, though shells and solid shot 
came crashing into our midst. 

At 4 :00 p. :m. a large body of troops was seen to advance from our 
left across the fields and through woods in the direction of the rebel 
lines. The corps flag showed that it was the Third Corps. The 
long lines of battle went forward in splendid order, the right of the 
advancing line faced west, and was plainly in view ; the left, faced 
south, but that pant of the line was not visible to us. This position 
became famous as the "peach orchard," in the history of the battle. 
At once the rebels assailed our forces there with ti'emendous on- 
slaught both of cannon and musketry. The conflict was most desper- 



536 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

ate for a brief time, the smoke from the batteries rose in huge vol- 
umns like heavy summer clouds, enveloping the ooanbatants and ob- 
scuring the sun. It was a magnificent spectacle. All at once order- 
lies came dashing along our lines, and we said, ''jSTow, look out, we'll 
get into that, too." Our conjecture was correct. General Sickles 
had called for re-enforcements. Our Division, commanded by Gen- 
eral Caldwell, was quickly formed in position to move, in columns by 
brigades. The Irish Brigade, which belonged to the Division, was 
first assembled in solid mass and their Chaplain, or Priest, performed 
some religious ceremony of a few minutes duration, while the men 
stood, imdistiurbed by bursting shells, with bowed heads in reverent 
silence. Then the whole Division was marched off at a ''double 
quick" across fields and through patches of woods in the direction of 
the conflict. It was a mosit exhausting run of three-fourths of a mile. 
Having reached the "wheat field," the troops were halted for a few 
minutes and the lines were straightened up for action. This field 
slopes to the southwest, and was bordered on the soutli and west by 
woods. Along the farther half of the south side was a stone fence, 
^v^hioh the rebels already held, aiid the woods to the left beyond, and 
came in swarming on the west side. Our Brigade occupied aliout the 
breadth of the field, and moved forward diagonally in the direction 
of the southwest comer of the field, and as we advanced the rebel 
bullets began to reach our lines. We were the first troops to cross the 
field, and the yellow grain was still standing. I noticed how the ears 
of wheat flew in the air all over the field as they were cut oft' by the 
enemy's bullets. 

We reserved our fire because it would have been useless to shoot 
at such a distance when the rebels were well protected by the stone 
fence, trees and rocks. Comrade William C. Meyer shot at a fright- 
ened rabbit which scurried along oiir front; he thought of the im- 
poverished condition of his haversack and could not allow this oppor- 
tunity to replenish it pass by unimproved, though rebel bullets 
whizzed around his head. I looked back and saw Colonel Cross, our 
brigade commander, follo^ving do^\^l the slope, waving his sword. 
He had tied around his head a black cloth and had then been 
wounded ; a moment later, he received another shot which proved 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVAlSHA VOLUNTEERS 537 

ff.tal. In consequence of the oblique direction of our advance, our 
company reached the stone fence while the men on our right were 
still in the field, aind the rebels continued firing into the right of our 
line until we leaped on the wall and took thean in flank. I remember 
having put a double portion of powder in the gam barrel the first 
load, and as I got' on the other side of the fence, I took aim at one 
of the rebels not over two rods away, expecting to shoot him clean 
througti the body and also hit with the same ball his comrade on the 
other side of him. But just as I was pressing the trigger, the 
Johnnies waved their handkerchiefs in token of surrender, and I 
desisted with some regret. 

Here the battle opened with great energy. Being too much 
crowded, a number of us from the right of our company, advanced 
in front of the line about a rod and lay down and began 
to fii-e on the rebels in front in the woods. Thick smoke soon covered 
the scene, but lying on the ground, we had a better view than stand- 
ing. Most of the boys in our rear, lay down, too, and fired so close 
to our heads that the powder burned our faces. I watched the rebels 
as they moved from tree tO' tree, and shot at several with steady 
aim ; whether any were hit, I could not tell. 

]\Ien in battle will act very differently ; some become greatly 
excited, others remain perfectly cool. One of the boys in my rear 
was sitting flat on the ground and discharging his piece in the air ai 
an angle of forty-five degrees, as fast as he could load. 

"Why do yon shoot in the air?" I asked. 

"To scare 'em," he replied. 

He was a pious young man, and the true reason why he did not 
shoot at the enemy direct, was because of his conscientious scruples 
on the subject. What strack me as being peculiar was that some 
of the boys swore energetically, who never before were heard to utter 
an oath. 

In battle one fails to take a correct note of the flight of time ; 
to me it seemed we had 'been engaged only about half an hour; it 
really was almost two hours. Intent on watching the Johnnies who 
dodged behind rocks and trees in my front, I failed to notice our 
Regiment withdrawing. The fire in my rear having ceased, I looked 



538 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

around and observed that the boys had left. Going back to the stone 
fonce, I saw Comrade Jacob Lanioh lying dead, being shot through 
the head from ear to ear. Sergt. G. W. Leitzell was shot through 
the knee ; he asked me to assist him off the field. I got him on his 
feet, but Avas too weak myself to be of much service to him, and he 
requested me to lay him down. I then gave him my canteen which 
was filled with water in exeihange for his, which was empty. Half 
aix hour later he was in the hands of the enemy. All the rest of the 
wounded of our company got back into our lines that evening. 

I joined the troops which had relieved our Regiment and ad- 
A'anced with them in the direction of the western border of the field, 
not knowing then where our men had gone. Then I started for the 
rear, passing along the south side of the wheat field ; here were lying 
many of our wounded boys, among them a number of Company B. 
The troops that had relieved our Brigade, part of the Fifth Corps, 
were driven back, and our wounded still remaining on the field, 
fell into the hands of the enemy that evening. Later on, however, 
by the varying fortunes of the battle, they again found themselves 
within our lines. On my way back, I caught up with Comrade 
Manasses Gilbert, who had received a wound in the shoulder-blade, 
and was quite weak, being hardly able to walk. Together we reached 
the northern slope of Little Bound Top, where Comrade Gilbert sat 
down leaning against a tree, being too weak to proceed any farther. He 
desired me to fetch him some water, and as I proceeded, I met the 
head of a column of troops coming up, part of the Sixth Corps, which, 
one of their men told me, had just arrived on the field after a march 
that day of some thirty miles. They went right into action. 

The sun was just sinking behind the western hills in a cloud of 
sulphurous smoke, but the battle increased in fury and the deafening 
tumult seemed tO' surge rapidly towards our line along Little Bound 
Top. I found a small spring back of our lines some distance ; there 
were a number of rebel prisoners at the place. When I returned to 
the slope of Little Bound Top, it was already dark and the place 
was crowded with soldiers. I was unable to find Comrade Gilbert. 
Exhausted and sick, I lay by the side of a huge boulder, not caring 
very much whether I should rise again or not. All night long were 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 539 

heai'd the monotonous tramp of moving troops, the Ioav rumble of the 
wheels of the amlbnlances, the ammunition and supply trains, and tiie 
artillery oA'er the stony roads. The sharp command of the officers, 
the curses of the teamsters heard above the mumiur of many voices, 
the groans of the wounded and dying made a medley of weird 
and discordant sounds. 

At early da^vn the following day, July 3d, the battle opened 
with crash of musketry and thunder of cannon at our right, and 
continued with unabated fury until eleven o'clock. The significance 
of the struggle we could not undeirstand at the time, yet it was evi- 
dent our men were driving the rebels, for the sound of the strife was 
steadily receding. It was the assault of the Twelfth Cbrps to recover 
the entrenchments on Gulps Hill wdiich its troops had abandoned, 
in part, the day before, to reinforce Sickles on our left, if necessary. 

Our Division had resumed its foiiner position in our regular 
line of battle between Cemetery Hill and Little Round Top ; breast- 
works of fence rails, wdth ground heaped against them, were hastily 
constructed. The enemy would soon again strike somewhere, but it 
was not certain what part of the line would receive the blow. On 
our left, their success, slight as it had been, was purchased at too 
great a sacrifice; on our right they had just been driven out of 
entrenchments which had fallen into tiieir hands while our troops 
had abandoned them and gone to another part of the field. The 
n'de of battle seemed to be turning. 

At 1 :00 p. M. in response to signal guns fired by them the 
rebels opened upon us ^vith one hundred and fifty guns and with 
terrific roar belched forth a storm of shot and shell into our lines. 
Seminary Ridge, on whicli their batteries were placed, appeared to 
be a volcano emitting smoke and flame. Our lines being more con- 
tracted, not more than eighty guns could be put in position, these 
reseiwed their fire for a short time, and it is said the enemy were 
under the impression they had knocked our batteries to pieces. For 
some reason or other, the rebel batteries failed to get a proper range 
of our lines, as the greater number of their shells passed over us. 
In due time our gams o})ened and the deafening roar increased, and 
continued without abatement for two hours. It was sublime. The 



540 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

hea.viest peal of thunder is as nothing compared to the roar of the 
artillery. It is not hyperbole to say that the earth trembled ; it 
was literally true. The air seemed full of hissing, screaming iron 
missiles ; shells bursting high in air emitting lurid flame, the frag- 
ments coming doAvn with discordant hiss and scream. When a shell 
bursts in the air, it leaves a globular puff of smoke which retains its 
form for several moments ; the air was filled with these balls of wdiite 
smoke. On the right of us, towar-d Cemetery Ridge, the point 
whither the rebel fire was concentrated, ten or twelve of our caissons 
blew up, one after another, increasing the volume of the roar of 
battle. The loss of life in our lines was small, but such a storm of 
shot and shell produces a demoralizing effect. A shell passing fifty 
feet overhead W'ill cause one to "duck," or hug the earth more closely 
when lying flat on the ground ; it is the horrid noise, and the con- 
sciousness of the fearful effect of a shell when it hits that strikes 
terror into the soul. A mere skirmish with muskets might have 
resulted in a greater number of casualties. General Hancock, know- 
ing that an infantry charge would follow this furious cannonade, 
and in crder to prevent any inception of panic among iiis men, 
rode along the whole extent of his line, accompanied by several of his 
staff, while the cannonade was at its most furious stage. The men 
lying down and hugging the ground, were inspired with new courage 
at the sight of their leader riding leisurely along their front, his 
countenance and manner not exhibiting the least sign of fear. 

The fire ceased on the part of the rebels and then came Pickett's 
Division, with its supports on either flank, in deep columns, ant 
magnificent array, across the plain direct for our line. But thej 
story is faimiliar to every school boy — how our batteries tore Avidt 
gaps through their advancing ranks, how a few of them, led byl 
General Armistead, succeeding in penetrating our line at one point 
a spot now designated as the "High Water Mark of the Eebellion,"j 
how they were finally repulsed leaving two-thiixls of their fifteei 
thousand men on the field dead, wounded or prisoners. All the] 
field officers of Pickett's Division were either killed or wounded, 
except one. Col. U. R. Aylett of the 53d Virginia. On their right] 
a mass of the enemy, during the wild melee of battle, started taj 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 541 

come into our lines, when a Confederate officer, on a white horse, 
galloped in front of them and siiceeeded in turning them back. Our 
loss was comparatively light; theirs was heavy. The slaughter of 
our troops in front of Marye Heights, a few months before, was 
fully avenged. Prisoners coming in swore at their officers for mak- 
ing them believe they were charging on Pennsylvania militia. On 
our side the fiction had been circulated that a strong force of militia 
under General 'McClellan was near at hand, and would support us. 
We cast our eyes toward the eastern hills to catch a glimpse of their 
advancing banners, but were disappointed. 

Incidents sufficient to fill a volume could be gathered. One 
of the Confederate prisoners witli both eyes shot out was led into 
our lines, crying bitterly. A Confederate officer related that, the 
most pitiful spectacle he ever beheld was that presented by soine 
officer in their division (Pickett's), sitting with his back to the fence 
along the Emmittsburg road, having his lower jaw shot clean away ; 
sitting there with staring eye watching the men as they passed by to 
the charge. The conflict was over in that part of the; field, as a 
certain officer of the rebel Army, who viewed the battle from the 
cupola of the Lutheran Seminary, said : ''When the smoke of battle 
lifted, Pickett's Division had melted away ; a few scattered, disorgan- 
ized remnants were left on the field and drifted back to their own 
line." 

Our Regiment suffered only a few casualties, being too far to 
the left of the point of attack to become seriously involved in the 
contest. 

A heavy thunderstorm burst over the field in the evening, add- 
ing to the discomforts of the situation. Frooi frequent rains and 
copious perepiration produced by toilsoine marches, the boys' clothes 
never got dry from the time they left Thoroughfare Gap, June 25th, 
until several days after the battle at Gettysburg. The 4th of July 
was celebrated by burying the dead and removing the wounded from 
the field. In oiir front there was no fighting that day except an oc- 
casional shot on the picket line, and the throwing of a few shells 
now and then. There were also heavy showers on the 4th. Not 
expecting an immediate attack from the enemy in our front, the boys 



542 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

had an opportunity to explore tlie ground in their vicinity and view 
the effects of the conflict. The plain in our front Avas strewn with 
dead soldiers and dead horses. Hats, haversacks, canteens, accoutre- 
ments, shells, solid shot, and muskets, wrecked gun carriages, and all 
the debris of great battle were scattered in promiscuous confusion 
over field and in the woods. The ground was torn up in deep fur- 
rows by the enemy's solid shot and shell. I noticed one point w^here 
three such furrows had crossed each other, one having been made by 
a ball coming from the northwest, one from the ^vest, and one from 
the southwest, showing liow the fire was concentrated on that part of 
our line. 

I pitied the poor wounded horses dragging themselves about the 
field, trying to nibble a tuft of grass here and tliere not trampled into 
the ground. I noticed the day before with what patience, almost 
human, the battery horses hitched to the caissons, endured the storm M 
of iron missiles hurled over and amongst them. One after another 
the dumb brutes dropped to the ground, but nonC' attempted to 
break away. Corporal S. M. Spangler of our company w^as put in 
command of a detail to shoot the wounded horses in that part of the 
field. 

Every house, barn, shed or building whatsoever, was crowded 
with wounded and dying soldiers. In one of these crowded sheds 
near General Doiibleday's headquarters, I noticed a young boy, who 
was badly wounded, trying, in his delirium, to creep through ,an 
opening in the side of tthe shed, moaning and crying in piteous tones. 
The first few days, the wounded suii'ered greatly for want of food, 
water, nursing and proper medical attendance, for sufficient supj)]ies 
and assistance could not be brought to the field in a moment. Sev- 
eral hundrcid steps to the rear of our Regiment was a small 
dwelling house witli some outbuildings. These were crowded with 
wounded soldiers. A small orchard of about an acre in extent, 
near by, was literally covered with the dead ; they presented a 
ghastly sight, some being covered with rubber blankets, or parts of j 
shelter tents, lying there in the rain and mud. Close by was a 
small spring in a swampy place where the boys used to get their 
water while occupying their position in that part of the field. During 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 543 

the rain, surface water carried blood from the field into the spring, 
but water being scarce in the locality, the boys were obliged to 
fill their canteens with the taiuted liquid. In front of the house 
just mentioned was buried General Barksdale of Mississippi, who 
fell mortally wounded on the 2d. Comrade Wm. C Meyer saw 
him soon after he was brought into our lines ; he had cut off a fringe 
of gold lace from the General's coat collar, which he showed us. 
He also told us about the remark the General had made before he 
died, now famous in history, "Tell my wife I am shot, but we 
fought like hell." Sometime after the battle his remains were ex- 
humed and taken tO' his people. 

The members of Company A wounded as reported in company 
i-ecords, July 2d at the wheat field, were: John Weight, fatally^; 
Sergt. Elias Mingle, fatally ; Matthias Guiser, knee ; Israel Otto, 
slight scalp wound; Charles Bierly, leg; Charles W. Weiser ; Fred- 
erick Limbert, G. W. Leitzell, knee ; Manasses Gilbert. Killed : Jacob 
Lanich and Aaron Miller. Wounded on the skirmish line, July 3d, 
Adam Boyer, severely ; Amos Erhard and Geo. M. Rupp, slightly, 
Geo. Gorman was stunned by a shell in the wheat field and was taken 
prisoner. As already stated Colonel Cross, who commanded our 
Brigade, was wonnded twice, in quick succession, the last time fatally. 

On the 5 til our skirmish line advanced across the position of tlie 
enemy, and met only a few pickets ; their army had retreated. Some 
of our troops, the Sixth Corps, followed them; our Corps moved 
down the Baltimore Pike four or five miles and went into camp for 
the night. We had left the gory field without getting a sight of the 
town of Gettysburg. News of the capture of Vicksburg and the 
surrender of Pemberton's Army there, caused great reijoicing in our 
Army. 

Remained in camp July Oth, July 7th marched about ten miles, 
and July 8th we marched twenty miles and went into camp near 
Frederick City, Maryland. But to note all the places we passed 
through and all the minor incidents on our way back to and across 
the Potomac would not be of great interest. 

We saw Lee's Ai-my successfully recross the Potomac at Wil- 
liamsport, what was left of it, on the 14th ; with the exception of a 



544 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

small body of rear guard tliat fell into our hands. Thence we 
marched doAvn the left bank of the Potomac, crossing a part of the 
Antietam battlefield on the way, and went into camp at Harper's 
Ferry, at which point the Second Corps crossed into Virginia, July 
18th. Although we exulted over a great victory won on Pennsyl- 
A'unia soil, and rejoiced over General Grant's success at Vicksburg. 
yet our return to the sand and mud of Virginia, and the prospect of 
again fighting over territory so often fought over before, was quite 
dispiriting. The long and toilsome marches of the campaign which 
culminated at Geittysburg, the excessive heat, the mental and physi- 
cal strain of the battle, were exhausting to the boys in the extreme. 
They wei-e emaciated, weak, and many were unable to carry musket^;, 
myself being one of the latter, until we advanced in line of battle 
on the rebel works at Williamsport, there I picked up a gun belong- 
ing to one of our men who went home "without a pass." Comrade 
Thos. E. Royer was another of those emaciated fellows; he possessed 
hardly sufficient corporeal density to cast a shadow. Some one mali- 
ciously remarked that his inherited perversity, strengtliened by 
years of practice, was the reason why he did not lie down and permit 
himself to be buried. He owed his recovery to an almost exclusive 
diet on blackberries of which there was an abundance all along our 
loute. For certain complaints there was more medicinal virtue in 
blackberries than in a ton of drugs, and scores of soldiers could 
testify to the fact. 

July 18th, our corps bivouacked in Loudon Valley. Col. Jas. A. 
Beaver came back to the Regiment, and was placed in command of 
our Brigade the following day. Our progress southwaixl was slow, 
keeping pace with the Confederate Army which moved in the same 
direction west of the mountains. Some of our troop?^ made excur- 
sions into the gaps; Ashley's on the 22d, and Manassas on the 23(1. 
July 28th Col. Nelson A. Miles was put in command of our Brigade. 
As we moved forward it was rumored in the ranks, that our destina- 
tion was Morrisville. The prospect of camping near a town was 
pleasing to the boys; it would be a slig'lit change in the monotony 
of camp life. July 31st we arrived in the vicinity of the place 
we longed to see, but were somewhat disappointed in finding nothing 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLVNTEERb 545 

more in the form of a town than three brick chimneys, the hoiises 
having- been burned to the ground at an earlier period of the War. 
According to the prevailing style of Virginian architecture the 
chimney is an institution by itself, standing on its own bottom, as 
it were, and the house built against it, so that the house may burn 
to the i'.uund while the chimney proudh' and defiantly -urvives the 
elemental scourge of fire. But our stay in the place, which con- 
tinued until about the middle of September, was pleasant. The heat 
during the time we lay at Morrisville was excessive. August 3d the 
boys received two months' pay, $26.00. The Presidemt appointed 
August 6th, as a Thanksgiving day, and our Brigade assembled in 
a grove near camp, and duly observed the day by appropriate religious 
services, the Chaplain of the 81st Kegiment Pennsylvania Volun- 
teei'S officiating. This preacher frequently held services in our Regi- 
ment, no doubt "exchanging pulpits" with our own Chaplain. It would 
be proper to state that our Chaplain held divine serviceo regularly 
every Sunday w^hen we lay in camp and the weather was propitious. 
The Chaplains certainly did a good work among the men. Beside:^ 
their attendance to their purely religious services they visited the 
sick, wrote letters for them to their friends, if desired, and supplied 
all at times with religious tracts and papers. The boys sometimes, 
before going into a battle, made the Chaplain the depository of their 
money, aggregating large amounts. 

August 18th our Brigade marched in the direction of Falmouth, 
within seven miles of that to^vn for the purpose of securing a lot of 
telegraph poles. These were cut near Hartford Church, thence the 
command returned to Grove Church and camped there for the night. 
A number of the Company A boys reposed for the nights in the 
cemetery, making use of the grassy mounds over the graves as pillows, 
fearing less the dead under ground than the prowing guerrillas on 
top of the ground. The march the day previous had been quite 
severe, having covered a distance of twenty miles. Nevertheless, we 
enjoyed the trip; there was an abundance of green corn, and at the 
n)idday hour the gTateful, inspiring aroma, of roasting corn ears 
arose from innumerable little fires, and floated like sweet incense 
on the g^entle breeze through the bushy tops of pine and cedar. 



546 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

August ;ilst forty rounds of cartridges were issued and two 
days' rations, and our Corps moA'ed forward to Hartford Church, 
thence to United States Ford on the Kappaliannoek; distance, twenty 
miles. Our Regiment did picket duty at Richardson's Ford, near 
the other ford above named and had a skirmish with the rebel 
cavalry. On September 4th our Division returned to Morris- 
ville. It used to be said that the Second Corps was called on 
more frequently than any other corps in the Army to perform such 
expeditionary services; 'at any rate, the Corps had been acquiring an 
enviable reputation as the 'Toot cavalry of the Army of the Po- 
tomac." Jackson's Corps of the Confederate Army had achieved 
n similar fame as the "Foot cavalry of the Army of Northern 
Virginia." 

Frequent changes of position were now made; from Morrisville 
(12th) to Bealton Station; thence to Rappahannock Station; thence, 
next day, to Brandy Station, on to Culpeper and some distance 
beyond. We lay also, several days near Rapi(hin Station. Sep^en^ber 
23d the paymaster made his appearance and left with the boys two 
months' pay. On the 24th our Regiment was transferred from the 
First Brigade to the Third Brigade. October 2d our Division was 
formed to witness the execution of a deserter of the GOth New York. 
On the 6th our Division went into camp north of Culpeper about 
two miles, later the other two Divisions of our Corps assembled at 
the same place; in fact the whole Army of the Potomac, except one 
corps, was then in camp about Culpeper. The place was delight- 
ful; "we went a.bout with alacrity fixing up our quarters and making 
ourselves comfortable. We felt an impulse to bnihl our "tabernacles" 
for a prolonged sojourn, but l^ee was just then planning for us other 
and more lively diversions. On the lOth our Corps fonned in line 
of battle two miles west of Culpeper, General Warren in command. 
The Third Corps had been driven back some distance. Evidently 
ihero was an inii)ortant move in progress. At two o'clock on the 
night of the 11th, we began a retrograde movement, crossing the 
Rappahannock and going into camp at Bealton Station; recrossing 
the Rai)paliannock the following day, and advancing, in line of 
batth^, toward IJrandy Station. We ;mtici])at(^d a battle as the rebels 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 547 

were in front of us at no great distance. The boys seemed slightly 
amused at Captain Forster exhorting ns, as we slowly moved for- 
ward, to be ibrave and stand up to our work. We considered our- 
selves advanced far beyond that stage in our military experience 
M'here such exhortations were necessary. 

At midnight we crossed the river for the third time and marched 
northward. It was now supposed that Lee was ti-ying to get into our 
rear to cut off our base of supplies, or perhaps to make a dash for 
Washington. At any rate, he gave us such a race as we seldom 
experienced before. As already stated, our march began at midnight, 
and it was continued without any interniption, hardly, for eighteen 
hours, until :00 p. m. on the 13th, when the Corps went into 
bivouac near Auburn Mills, in a piece of woods, having made ono 
or tAvo short counter-marches, making altogether thirty miles for the 
day. It was a severe strain on our physical endurance; our ]eg3 
seemed like sticks of wood without feeling, and moving automatically. 
On this occasion it was demonstrated to our entire satisfaction that 
a person may fall asleep while walking — to be rudely awakened when 
stumbling to the ground. As we went into camp, our officers cau- 
tioned us to maintain silence, and, if I remember correctly, no firea 
were lighted. It was evident that the enemy was in close proximity 
to our cajnp. The Second Corps bringing up the rear of the Army, 
a position in the line of march of a retreating Army fraught w'ith 
great danger. 

On the 14th our march was resumed quite early ; and the opera- 
tions of the day included the affairs of Auburn and Bristoe Station, 
which are described in other stories. 

Directly in front of our line at Bristoe extended a, patch of 
woods, close up to the railroad ; the rebels had occupied those woods, 
and some of their wounded must have been left there. We heard the 
piteous tones of a young boy calling by name one of his comradch, 
or a brother, for help. For half an hour we heard the wailing cry 
of the ix>or fellow, when the voice gi'ew fainter and fiiuilly ceased, 
whether in death or whether assistance came to the boy, we knew not. 
We left Bristoe soon after dark ; proceeding some distance be- 
yond, we crossed a shallow stream, Broad Run, which had a very 



548 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT - 

steep bank on the side we emerged from the stream. The steep slope 
was tramped hard and smooth by many thousands of feet, and the 
wet soles of the shoes finally made tlie place slippery as an eel. It 
was, therefore, almost impossible to ascend the steep hill ; some tried 
to climb np on their hands and feet, and if one succeeded in reaching 
the to|> — almost — others wonkl grab him from behind in order to 
pull themselves along, when the whole bunch would slide back into 
the stream again. Some of the boys fixed bayonets, thrust them into 
the ground and propelled themselves along in that manner. All 
this struggle was going on in almost inky darkness; the '^cursory" 
remarks accompanying the same would not look well in print. All 
night the weary tramp continued and in the morning the Division 
came up with the rest of the Army on the Banks of Bull Eun. 

Right here I desire to interpolate a brief dissertation on the 
subject of the army straggler, a personage of importance, numer- 
cially, at least, and therefore, entitled to some consideration on the 
part of the historian. It certainly seems not inappropriate that in 
a volume variegated with such subjects as the "ColoneP's Story," the 
^'Lieutenant C^olonel's,'" the "Major's," and so on down the intermin- 
able list, the .-straggler, also, may be heard from. In the first place;, let 
it be remembered that the straggler is not always such from choice, 
but his position at the rear of the Army, his go-as-you-please gait,.his 
utter disregard of all military regulations as to marching, are often 
enforced by circumstances over which he has no control. His feet 
may be sore from continuous marching, or his legs tired; he may 
be worn out physically, or he may be sick, these are some of the 
causes of straggling. During long, toilsome miarches the army of 
stragglers may become quite numerous, too numerous for the effi- 
ciency of the corps. This was the case in the movement of the Army 
of the Potomac to Gettysburg; thousands of soldiers who were in 
ranks when the several corps left Stafford Heights, near Fredericks- 
burg, never reached Gettysburg to participate in the battle. When 
the Second Corps went into bivouac near Uniontown, Maryland, 
after that thirty-five mile march, not much more than half the men 
were present to stack arms — 'the balance coming in during all hours 
of the night. Other instances could be mentioned. Of course, the 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 549 

officers did all in their power to prevent straggling, but when men 
are no longer able to keep up with tlie moving column, neither threat 
nor punishment will avail. Besides tbe causes of straggling above 
mentioned others could be named, and one of these may best be 
illustrated by relating the experience of a boy who straggled on 
the night march from Bristoe to Bull Run. Who it was is imma- 
terial. There was very little falling back during the severe marches 
from Culpeper to Bristoe, for the Confederates followed our rear 
closely, and to lag behind meant capture and the rebel prison pen. 
The march from Bristoe to Bull Run was very toilsome and annoy- 
ing. The gait was so irregular ; sometimes the column forged ahead 
with long, rapid strides, then again slowed to a snail's pace. At 
frequent intervals the column would stop for a few seconds, a few 
minutes, or twenty minutes perhaps, but one would never know how 
long, or he might sit down and rest during the longer periods. And 
here begins the story of our straggler. 

At one of those intervals of halting he assumed the risk of 
stepping outside the ranks and sitting down to rest, expecting, of 
course, to return to his place the moment the column began to move 
again. However, sitting down and falling asleep were simultaneous 
((•currences. Waking after a time, he saw nothing of the Army; all 
was silent as the grave. He started after the troops as he thought, 
but certain remembered landmarks convinced him that he was going 
in the wrong direction, wheireupon, after a moment's reflection, he 
faced about and traveled in the opposite direction, though it seemed 
like returning to Bristoe. For an hour he hastened along, seeing or 
hearing nothing to assure him that he was on the right course, but 
finally there was seen in the distance a faint flicker of a fire, which 
he approached with caution, as it might be a rebel picket post. A 
careful reconnaissance revealed the fact that a solitary fellow Yankee 
straggler held the position. The two fraternized, cooled coffee to- 
gether, and our hero was glad to learn that he was on the right trail. 
The two moved on and ere long other fires appeared at shonter 
intervals, surrounded by squads of men, who after sacrificing the 
remaining few fence rails which escaped former raids, fell in, as 
the swelling procession passed by, and when daylight came there was 



550 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

revealed a full regiment of stragglers. Xoav, came after from the 
rear, several mounted scouts who urged the stragglers to hasten on, 
as there were rebel cavalry coming up. But the stragglers heeded 
not the warning, and said, "Let them coone, we can lick a division of 
rebel cavalry." It was nine o'clock in the morning when the regi- 
ment of stragglers crossed Bull Run, and distributed themselves 
among their respective commands. 

The Army remained in eamj) near (Vnterville until October 
19th, when Bull Run was recrossed and the march southward re- 
sumed. The railroad having been torn up by the rebels from the 
Rappahannock to Bristoe, our knapsacks were loaded with nine 
days' rations, as the furnishing of supplies might be uncertain until 
the road would be rebuilt. We had thought that the utmost limit 
of a soldier's carrying capacity had been reached when eight days* 
rations were loaded on our backs during the Chancellorsville cam- 
paign, but in that our judgment had been at fault. We halted for 
the night near Bristoe ; next day continued on to Auburn Mills, more 
familiarly known to the boys as "Hot Coffee Hill," the scene of the 
diversion of our Division with the enemy on the morning of the 
14th. We forded streams four times during the day, and came a 
distance of fifteen miles. On the 2l3t we moved fonvard and went 
into camp about four miles east of Warrenton. On the 30th the 
Regiment received two hundred and twenty-two conscripts, of which 
number seventeen were assigned to Company A. November 7th, at 
one o'clock at night, we drew eight days' rations, and then left camp 
near Warrenton, passed Warrenton Junction, and Bealton Sta- 
tion and went into camp near Kelly's Ford, on the Rappahannock, 
in the evening. During the greater part of the day cannonading was 
heard in our front. 

General French, commanding the left wing of the Army com- 
posed of the First, Second and Third Corps, had forc^l the passage 
of the river after a spirited engagement. On the right, Sedgwick, 
with the Fifth and Sixth Corps, effected a crossing; at Rappahannock 
Stition, taking a number of prisoners. Our Corps crossed the river 
in the morning of November 8th and marched west about eight mile* 
and went into camp near a place called Stevensburg, south of Brandy 




WILLIAM OTTO, 
Company A. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 551 

Station. On the 13th the boys received two months' pay. On the 
14th, our Captain, Ro'bt. H. Forster, was promoted to the rank of 
Major of our Regiment, and First Lieutenant, John L. Johnston of 
Company H, was promoted to Captain, and placed in command of 
Company A. Captain Johnston was a brave soldier and was well 
liked by the men of Company A, but it was never explained satis- 
fy', ctorily why several of our own men, equally brave and efficient, 
were ignored in the matter of promotion.* November 16 several 
promotions in Company A were announced : Simon M. Spangler, 
from Corporal to First Sergeant ; Corporals Wm. Harper and J. 
I. Jones to Sergeants ; Privates Thomas E. Royer, Samuel R. Gettig, 
Amos Erhard and Henry Meyer (the writer), to Corporals, respec- 
tively. W. W. Bierly from Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant, 
he had been promoted only a short time before, from Orderly Ser- 
geant to Second Lieutenant. 

On the 19th one hundred and fifty-eight conscripts arrived, of 
which number Company A received fifteen. 

The Army was again put in motion on the moniing of the 26th, 
and the different corps crossed the Rapidan at several fords. The 
Second Corps crossed the river at Germania Ford, advanced a mile 
beyond and went into camp. The resulting operations are known 
in history as the ''Mine Run Campaign," the scene whereof was 
laid in the ''Wilderness," a wild country of forest with tangles of 
underbrush almost impenetrable, with here and there a small clear- 
ing, the whole traversed by narrow, zigzagging roads difficult to find, 
and in wet weather, well nigh impassable. The Turnpike which 
leads from Orange Court House in a straight line in a direction 
nearly due east, to Wilderness Tavern, thence to Chancellorsville, 
and on to Fredericksburg is, however, a good road ; so, also the Plank 
Road, farther south, running nearly parallel to it, is an exception to 
the generally unserviceable roads in that part of Virginia. The 
former of these roads just named our Corps followed west until 
the Confederate lines were met near Mine Run. The follow- 
ina; dav a farther advance of two miles was made in the same 



*See the Colonel's Story, page 105.— Editor. 



552 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

direction when the rebels were found strongly entrenched on a range 
of hills. There was some cannonading and skirmishing, but as it 
rained all day, serious operations were impracticable ; in the evening 
ii: cleared up. Our company happened to be located in a small 
cleared space for the night ; tlie boys deposited pine branches on the 
ground on which they lay and pulled their blankets over them. Some 
time during the night cattle were brought close to our place of biv- 
ouac to be slaughtered for the Army ; a number of these stampeded 
and charged right among and over us. We simply pulled ourselves 
together under our blankets, much like unto a snail withdrawing 
itself into its shell, when danger threatens, and the cattle jumped 
over us without causing any one serious injury. After the racket was 
over a number of the boys got up, went to the butcher's and procured 
some liver and steaks, and began to have a feast and be merry. 

At break of day orders were issued to march, but for some rea- 
son our company failed tO' receive the order. So, while the head of 
the. Regiment was forming into line and moving off, our boys were 
still in the midst of their culinary exercises, boiling coffee and fry- 
ing liver and steaks ; the coffee was tlien hastily emptied into the 
canteens and tlie sizzling contents of the frying pans dumped into the 
haversacks, and the accoutrements and other articles of jiersonal 
property were snatched up to be properly adjusted while the pro- 
prietors were on a run to catch up with the disappearing column. 
Comrade John A. j\[iller, who was always exact and methodical in 
his way of doing things, got incensed at the undignified and tangled 
state of affairs, and jerked his pan off the fire, swung it round hia 
head and made the liver fly to all points of the compass, which said 
flying pieces were picked up and complacently appropriated by one 
of the other boys who took things more philosophically. 

Our Corps marched to the rear some distance, then south and 
struck the Plank Road, above mentioned, at White Church, and ad- 
vanced west several miles, in the direction of the rebel lines. At 
ten o'clock at night our company, with several others of tlie Regi- 
ment, were sent forward to the picket line. The night was cold and 
our proximity to the enemy rendered it unsafe to have fires. Day- 
light revealed the fact tliat our picket po>t^ were within two hundred 




© * ♦ * 



^■^ • I 




I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 555 

and fifty yards of the rebel entrenohments, with a narrow meadow, 
through which meandered Mine Run, a tiny stream, to the north, 
between the opposing lines. Their position was on high ground and 
from our posts we could see that their lines were strongly entrenched. 
At first the rebels sent some shells into our picket line. This prob- 
ably seemed to them an extravagant waste of ammunition, and they 
ceased firing, but their sharpshooters picked at us all day ; it was a 
great risk to expose the least portion of one's anatomy. Instructions 
had been, communicated to us that, at signal guns to be fired by 
Sedgwick, on our right, at 8 :00 a.m., a charging column of twenty- 
five thousand men, composed of the Second, and parts of the Third 
and Sixth Corps under the command of General Warren, would make 
an assault on the enemy's work in our front, and that our picket line 
was to deploy as skirmishers and advance ahead of the charging 
battalions. 

Those were anxious moments. We knew that it was almost 
certain death to us on the picket line the instant we would emerge 
from cover to advance. The signal guns were fired at the time speci- 
fied ; we looked back and watched for the approach of the assaulting 
lines of battle ; we waited in awful suspense, fifteen, twenty, thirty 
minutes, but no troops with waving banners came into view. 
Finally we noticed both Generals Meade and Warren, some distance 
in the rear, examining the rebel position through their field glasses. 
Well, the charge was not made and we on the picket line were not 
sorry. Later we learned that General Warren deemed the under- 
taking too hazardous, with which opinion General Meade concurred, 
after a thorough inspection of the situation. 

December 1st found us still on the picket line. It was cold and 
a number of the wounded froze to death. At eight o'clock at night 
we left the picket line, joined the Corps, marched all night, recrossed 
the Rapidan at break of day and in the evening of the 2d, reached 
our old quarters near Brandy Station, the time for our retrograde 
movement having been twenty-two hours, and the distance more than 
thirty miles. The march was severe, and went on and on, everlast- 
ingly on, without hardly any opportunity for rest. 



554 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Slight changes of position were again made successively on the 
3d, 5th and Tth, going into permanent winter quarters on the last 
date mentioned, near Stevens'biirg, south of Brandy Station about 
four miles. The boys went to work at once, and put up substantial 
and comfortable cabins, built of logs, and being seven feet wide and 
twelve feet long, intended to accommodate a mess of four or 
five men. A "mess" associated voluntarily, according to their 
own tastes and congeniality witliout any interference on the 
part of the officers. Thus Jacob Breckbil, Israel Maze, William 
C. Meyer and the writer agreed to club together, build quarters and 
occupy the same^ — so throughout the company and Regiment. 
About the time we had our cabins erected, the camp site cleared up 
and everything in good shape. General Hancock came back to the 
Army and assumed command of the Second Corps, and it was 
rumored about camp that he inspected the ground and condemned 
the same as being too swampy and unhealthy, and that we would 
have to move to a higher location which would afford better sanitary 
conditions. I^ow the private soldier is no respecter of person — 
especially when such person interjects himself between said private 
and the enjoyment of his rights and privileges, and the pursuit of 
happiness — and if the grim old warrior could have strolled through 
the company streets unobserved he could have heard himself de- 
nounced in choicest terms, more emphatic than those of his own vo- 
cabularj^ for which he was so justly famed. 

Our men had respect for the Sabbath day, as witness the follow- 
ing from my diary, December 13th: 

'^Wc did not work at our quarters today. The Sabbath was 
decently observed by the men of our Regiment ; the men of some of 
the other regiments worked at their quarters as usual." 

The winter was spent pleasantly in those warm, comfortable 
cabins, and nothing serious occurred to mar the "even tenor of our 
way." Our principal occupations were building corduroy roads from 
corps headquarters to the railroad station, putting up buildings for 
the officers, chapel for religious services and doing guard and picket 
duties. The last named was disagreeable, especially during bad 



THE 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 555 

weather. Our picket line was down alon^ Kelly's Ford, distant from 
camp about five miles. We generally remained out three or four 
days. The Confederates of General Ewell's Corps had erected splen- 
did winter quarters in that locality, built of split logs and covered 
with like material, in which they reckoned, no doubt, to pass the 
winter in comfort ; but certain movements of our Army, which began 
November 7th, made it necessary for them to retire beyond the Rapi- 
dan and make other arrangements. 

An innovation in the line of a bayonet exercise or drill was in- 
augurated during the winter and conducted according to directions 
laid down in a work which had been elaborated by General Mc- 
Clellan after a French system on the subject. The drill taxed one's 
athletic abilities to the utmost, and while it may have answered a 
good purpose as a physical exercise I never saw or heard that in 
actual warfare it proved of any benefit whatever. Really, the bay 
onet seldom performed a very conspicuous part in a battle; it was 
more useful for sticking stray pigs, digging entrenchments, and as 
a substitute for a candlestick. 

February 18, 1864, the soldiers received two months' pay. 

February 23d the Second Corps was reviewed by Generals 
Meade, Warren and Kilpa trick and Vice-President Hamlin, ac- 
companied by a number of ladies. March 1st our company received 
two volunteer recruits, Noah Gilbert and John W. Shively ; Moses 
Gilbert, also a volunteer, came on the 16th. March 27th our Regi- 
ment was transferred to the Fourth Brigade, commanded by Gen. 
John R. Brooke, On the 29th Lieutenant General Grant was to re- 
view the Army, but on account of the rain the matter was postponed. 
He had joined the Army of the Potomac to exercise a closer super- 
vision over its operations. Thereafter the long distance generalship 
from the city of Washington to the Army in front was to cease. 
Think of it, a bespangled and beslippered General sitting in a gor- 
geously upholstered hall at Washington, and with the aid of several 
clerks, pretending, as had hitherto been the custom, to direct the 
manoeuvres of an immense army in the tangle of the brush and for- 
ests of Virginia. 



556 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

General Barlow was assigned to the command of our — the First 
Division. April 20th was pay day ; same day Captain Brady in- 
spected our Regiment. The boys, no doubt, remember the stubby 
little fellow ; when on horseback his short legs reached only half way 
down the sides of his war steed. For some reason the Captain had 
the misfortune to incur the ill will of the men of the 148th Regiment 
and was persecuted — at a safe distance, from behind trees, or when 
his back was turned — by uncomplimentary remarks. It made him 
furious and he threatened dire vengeance, but later he got into the 
good graces of the boys and was well liked by tliem. After the War 
he took up his residence in Petersburg, Virginia, and was sent to 
Congress from that district. 

We had review of the Fourth Brigade by General Barlow 
April 15th; of the First Division, by General Hancock, on the 16th, 
and Lieutenant General Grant reviewed the Second Corps on the 22d. 
The columns marched by "divisions closed in mass," and my diary 
says it was a "magnificent military display." We all were anxious 
to get a good look at General Grant of whose splendid military' oper- 
ations out West we had been well infoiTned through the medium of 
the daily papers. As we approached the reviewing stand, where 
General Grant and many other officers all on horseback had stationed 
themselves, we had a good view of him by side glances in passing, 
turning the eyes without turning the head in the least, for on such 
an occasion tlie soldier feels that the reputation of his organization 
is at stake; and he will look straight ahead according to strictest 
military requirements, heeding nothing that might cause him to turn 
his head or unbend his dignified martial bearing. The boys did not 
regard Grant as an officer of very imposing presence. "He looks 
like a farmer," they said. 

Tn that group of officers there were individuals who were his 
superiors as to physique, and outshone him in the splendor of their 
equipage; neither did Grant ap]x?ar to pay any attention to the art 
of attitudinizing — an art in which some officers took great delight. 
The boys placed great confidence in him as their commander, and 
admired him for his unpretentious, democratic ways of which they 
had heard much before his coming into our Armv. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 557 

The Army of the Potomac was ag-ain reoro-aiiizod in some par- 
ticulars and greatly strengthened by the addition of numerous re- 
cruits, and the accession of other commands. The five corps were 
consolidated into three, the First and Third being disintegrated and 
the parts incorporated with the other corps, the Second, Fifth and 
Sixth, but retaining their distinctive corps badges. The Second 
Corps contained more than twenty-five thousand men and was again 
commanded by General Hancock. The other two corps contained 
about the same number, twenty-five thousand men, respectively. The 
Ninth Corps was also on the move to join the Army of the Potomac. 

May 2d we received orders to demolish our winter quarters and 
carry away the logs, all except the lower one, on which were to be set 
our shelter tents. This order implied to our minds an immediate 
movement of the Army. What good purpose was to be accomplished 
by this order, we could not understand, except on the same principle 
which impels the parent eagle to scratch the nest from under her 
young brood in order to make them get out and learn to fly. 

Early in the morning of May 4th our Corps began to move in 
the direction of the Rapidan River and crossed at Ely's Ford. There 
were two pontoon bridges not far apart. The boats of the bridge 
where we crossed were made of canvas, the first we had seen of the 
kind. They were not as heavy as those constructed of boards and 
were therefore more easily transported. The river was about two 
hundred feet wide at the ford, with steep banks on the south side. 
The other corps crossed farther up the river, at Germania Ford. Once 
again and for the third time the Army of the Potomac plunges into 
the thickets of the Wilderness to grapple with their old foe, the Army 
of Xorthern Virginia. The boys were in the best of spirits, and 
went forward eagerly, with the "swing of victory" in their move^ 
ment, confident that this would be their last campaign, and that the 
War would soon terminate. Their fond hopes were, however, not so 
soon to be realized. The three corps, with the cavalry, at the time of 
crossing the Rapidan, aggregated one hundred thousand men, while 
the Ninth Corps, then in the vicinity of Brandy Station, numbered 
nearly twenty thousand men. Many thousands of the poor fellows 



558 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

that crossed into the Wilderness those beautiful days of May, were 
destined to find their graves in the region lying between the Rapidan 
and the Appomattox. 

Before noon, the Second Corps reached the old battle ground of 
Chancellorsville, without any molestation on the part of the enemy, 
having marched twenty miles. A division of cavalry had preceded 
our Corps. The other corps by parallel roads reached points west of 
Chancellorsville, at the Wilderness Tavem on the Turnpike. It was 
with fascinating interest that we looked over the historic field where 
just a year before we received our baptism of fire on the line of battle. 
The aspect of things had changed but. little; the intrenchments re- 
mained almost intact ; the wreckage of battle were still thickly 
strewn over field and through woods ; the Chancellor House was 
in ruins, desolation met the eye everywhere. Several of us strolled 
away from camp to discover the places where we had been stationed 
on the entrenched picket line during the battle a year before, and 
we had no difficulty in finding the localities. 

I was especially interested in noting the dent in the log where a 
bullet went in which a Johnny had aimed at my head. We, myself 
and the Johnny just mentioned, had, that Sunday morning engaged 
in a duel for an hour probably, I firing through a space between two 
logs and he from behind a tree, distant about fifty steps, and hidden 
partly by underbrush. I found the bullet mark and realized how 
narrowly I escaped ending my brilliant military career on that day. 

At noon on the 5th our Corps moved southwest along the Cathar- 
])in road eight or ten miles, and took position on a range of hills near 
Shady Grove Churdi. On the Gth there w^as considerable fighting, 
l)ut our Regiment was not engaged. On the 7th the battle became 
more general, and on some points of our line, desperate and sanguin- 
ary. The men on l)oth sides, stood u]> to their W(U-k with grim deter- 
mination; shot each oIIum- down until whoh:^ lines of battle in some 
instances were almost comjdetely wi]>ed out. It- was renuirked at the 
time that both Union and Confederate soldiers fought with greater 
valor and des]>eration than ever liefore. 

Onr position was on the left of the Army, the Fifth and Sixth 



THE 14STH PENNSYLFANIA VOLUNTEERS 559 

Corps occupying the right of the line, die whole forniing a front of 
many miles in extent. The fighting was not all done in a ten-acre 
field where one could view the whole of the contest. What was trans- 
piring in other parts of this vast area of forest and underbrush could 
only be conjectured from the rattle of musketry and roar of cannon. 
Having had fair and warm weather for several days the brush and 
leaves on the ground became dry and were set on fire by bursting 
shells. From the wooded area for miles around, wherever the battle 
raged, volumes of smoke from "the burning forests rose to the sky, a 
scene terrible to contemplate, for we knew that hundreds of helpless, 
wounded soldiers were being consumed by those raging 'fires. 

In the morning, May 7th, Company A was detailed for duty 
on the skirmish line. In 'going to the front of our lines, we passed 
over the entrenchments of a New York regiment^ — whose number 
need not be mentioned here^ — composed almost entirely of Germans, 
lately come from the fatherland, and mustered on their arrival on 
our shores. They understood not a word of English, and knew next 
to nothing about the great issues which precipitated this tremendous 
War. These foreigners may have been brave, but they were in the 
war business for money considerations principally, and their patriot- 
ism could not possibly be of a high order. It was amusing to 
us to observe a line of provost guards, with fijxed bayonets, stationed 
several yards to the rear of these men to keep them in the entrench- 
ments in case of an assault by the enemy. Our company was de- 
ployed as skirmishers, connecting on our right and our left with other 
organizations, disposed in like manner. Captain Johnston and Lieu- 
tenants W. W. Bierly and D. E. Shafer had charge of our part of the 
line. Slowly and cautiously we crept through the woods and under- 
brush in the direction of the enemy. Our task was an unpleasant 
one. It requires courage of a stern quality to advance in line of 
battle on an enemy that is visible, or to make a charge on a battery 
Wk'liing forth gra])e and canister, but it is more trying to one's 
nei*A'es to advance through tangled brush upon an enemy who lies in ■ 
waiting, concealed, with his finger on the trigger, ready to fire the 
moment one comes within the scope of his vision. The certainty of 



560 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

getting" shot at, and yet the uncertainty of the moment when tlie shot 
is to be fired, is a condition which holds one's mind in terrible sus- 
pense. Besides, the uniforms of the Confederates, or other style 
of clothes in default of uniforms, were gray, or of some neutral 
color, so that the wearers could not easily be distinguished from ob- 
jects in the woods, such as logs, stumps, trees and old leaves on the 
ground. The statement that during that whole day on the skirmish 
line, which surged back and fortli with the changing fortunes of the 
battle, few of us got a glimpse of a rebel, may seem strange, but it 
is true. Our line advanced probably the distance of a quarter of a 
mile before meeting an enemy. Then suddenly a volley was fired 
into us, and bullets whizzed past our heads. In an instant we 
dropped to the ground, shoved our head behind saplings, if any 
were convenient, and hugged mother earth closely. 

Comrade James M. Fleck, on my left, a. new recruit who had 
never seen service before, merely kneeled down in an open space and 
was shot through the heart in a second. He should have laid down 
flat. By a little manoeuvring the rebels were driven out of their 
lair behind a rampart of old logs, and our line pressed forward. As 
the line moved on, one of our conscripts, whose loud talk while yet 
in camp and boasting about his prowess, used to disgust us greatly, 
hid himself behind a log, some thirty steps to the rear and declined 
to move on, whereupon Captain Johnston licked him out of his hid- 
ing place with the broad side of his sword. The fellow then rushed 
forward to our line, swearing and boasting how he would slay the 
rebels, and mistaking some of our own men to our right and some- 
what in advance of our line for the enemy ; he took aim and shot one 
of them. Half a dozen enraged comrades instantly pointed their 
muskets at him, but pitied the cowardly scamp and restrained them- 
selves. 

Our progress was necessarily slow because of the difficulty en- 
countered in penetrating the thickets and also because of tlie reluct- 
ance exhibited by the Johnnies to retire more rapidly. On a certain 
occasion during the progress of our skirmish, the left of our com- 
pany, where the men of short stature are placed, stampeded, led by 
n Corporal who lost his hat in the excitement of the panic, declaring 



THE i48rH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 561 

that ovemvhelming numbers of rebels were sighted in the front. We 
on the right of the line being taller, having a better view of the front, 
saw no rebels, held onr ground ; not that we were any braver than the 
boys on the left, but rather because our range of vision was more ex- 
tensive. 

Captain Johnston requested Thomas E. Royer and myself to do 
a little scout duty and ascertain whether the rebels were in such close 
proximity and of such vast numbers ; also to re-establish our line so 
as to connect again with the skirmishers on our left. All of which 
was done and no enemy was encountered. Farther on our line came 
in contact with the forest fires. Some fifty steps in our front we 
saw one of our wounded soldiers lying in the fire, his clothes burn- 
ing. He was writhing in agony, but we were not able to reach and 
rescue him from the flames, as the brisk firing of the enemy com- 
pelled us to fall back. When night came, our company rejoined the 
Regiment in the woods somewhere. Through tangle of green thorn 
vines and thick underbrush, in utter darkness, under enjoined si- 
lence, the Regiment crept along and finally emerged from the un- 
pleasant situation and set foot on a good road. 

During tbe night and the following day, May 8th, the Anuy 
moved by the left flank and took up a new position, our Corps being- 
stationed at Todd's Tavern and entrenchments were constructed. 
During the day some of the details of the battle just ended were com- 
municated by soldiers who had been in other parts of the field. Our 
losses had been heavy, and no decided advantage had been gained. 
Confederate prisoners made the statement that their officers expected 
our Army would retreat. But Grant was not in the habit of retreat- 
ing. We also learned that many of our wounded were burned in the 
forest fires. There are some things which may happen to a soldier 
in battle which he dreads above all else : the possibility of being left 
in the burning woods, wounded, and unable to get away from the 
fire ; or, if in winter season, to be left wounded on the field to freeze 
to death ; or getting wounded in the intestines ; or being run over 
and crushed to death, while lying on the ground helpless, by bat- 
teries in ttheir mad rush to get into position during some great crisis 



562 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

of battle when time is noted by seconds, not by hours, when scores 
of wounded are sacrificed without a moment's hesitation that greater 
calamities may be averted. ( The operations at Po River and Spot- 
sylvania are fully treated of elsewhere in this work. — Editor.) 

In the fight on the Po the first shot I fired raised the dust within 
a few rods of the rebel position. I then elevated the rear sight of my 
gun, but the range may then have been much too high. After firing 
several more shots a bullet went through my left hand, and dropping 
my musket, I went to the piece of woods in the rear, passing the pros- 
trate form of Comrade Franklin Wolf who was killed a moment be- 
fore. I wrapped a handkerchief around my hand, dropped my knap-^ 
sack, containing some clothes, a portfolio of writing material, a ix)cket 
dictionary, for some Johnny who would be; along presently, and 
hastened down the ravine just mentioned. Looking back, I noticed 
a number of our wounded boys coming after, some were able to walk, 
some were led by their comrades, others were carried. It was a 
sad sight, brother leading brother, or bending over and catching the 
last faint word of a dying brother. Among the wounded were David 
Possman, Plenry Miller, Henry Meyer (the writer), Wm. Boob and 
Xathaniel Boob, brothers, the former, William, died of his wounds at 
Pichmond some time after the battle ; Jeremiah Beam, conscript ; 
Benjamin Beck, Wra. Crum, conscript, died of his wounds at Wash- 
ington ; Isaiah Fulmer, fatally, died at Pichmond, or Petersburg, Vir- 
ginia ; Wm. D. Eymer, conscript, slightly ; S. K. Furley, conscript ; 
Samuel Gilbert, Henry Helman, conscript ; Wm. M Ilanly, conscript; 
Gideon Kracmer, John Poof, conscript; Jacob J Webb, conscript; 
Philip Wile, conscript ; William Wolf, conscript ; and William 
( '. Meyer. The last named Comrade Meyer was not wounded se- 
verely ; he went to the rear, but loath to leave his comrades in 
action, he returned to speak words of encouragement to them, say- 
ii.g, "Boys, 1 can't help you any longer, but stick to your post." 
There was not a braver boy in the Army than he. William Fullmer, 
brother of Isaiah Fullmer above named was killed ; Noah Gilbert, 
who joined the company only a few months bc^fcu'c as a volunteer, 
a young boy, was killed ; and Franklin Wolf, named above, was the 
first O110 killed in the nigagomont. Number wounded, twenty; 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 563 

killed, three ; total loss, twenty-three ; as near as can be ascertained, 
there were fifty-four men in the ranks when tlie battle opened, nearly 
one half of whom were killed or wonnded in this engagement of 
less than an hour's duration. 

Reaching the swamp to which reference was made above, and 
knowing that I w^ould have to cross it, or be captured by the rebels, 
v^ho would close in on the place. I found it a bog of soft mud and 
water, and about one hundred yards wide, but how deep I could 
not tell, being the first one to venture in. Slowly I dragged myself 
along by bushes, sinking down at some places to the waist; s|>ent 
balls and shells dropping in all around me, stimulating me to greater 
efforts, and finally the opposite bank was reached. A few minutes 
latter the Colonel's horse stuck fast in this morass and had to be 
abandoned to its fate. I happened to reach the river at a narrow 
point where a log lay across which afforded an easy passage to the 
opposite bank. There I met Comrade Benjamin Beck who was 
wounded in the left leg, and was also working his way to the rear; 
he cut off the belts of my cartridge box to relieve me of their encum- 
brance. At the same moment a solid shot from the rebel guns struck 
the ground close to us and ricochetted along the surface quite a 
distance. This was the last cannon ball that whizzed past my head, 
for my military career was now closed. 

Colonel Beaver succeeded in extricating the Regiment from its 
jierilous position, a full account of which, as well as all the opera- 
tions of the- same, on the !>th and lOth of May appear in the 
"Colonel's Story" of this volume. 

The majority of the original members of Company A were born 
and raised in Miles Township (Brush Valley), a number in Penn 
'J"()\vnslii]> and several in other localities. The conscripts, seventeen 
of whom joined the company October 30, 1863, and fifteen November 
lOtli, same year, came from various parts of the state. Eight volun- 
teer recruits, from Miles Township and other localities, joined the 
company in the fall of 1863 and spring of 1864. Many of the men 
that constituted th? company originally were of kin, such as fathei 
and son, brothers, cousins, uncle and nephew. Thus, of the two 
Strayers, I^vi was the father, Samuel, his son. The groups of 



564 



THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



brothers were : Lanioh, Jacob and George W. ; Boob, William, Levi 
and I^atbaniel ; Bierly, James and Solomon ; Gorman, James T. and 
George; Fullmer, Levi H., William and Isaiah; Grim, Adam and 
John; Gilbert, Manasses, Moses and Noah (one brother of these 
Gilberts, John D., was in the 150th Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, and another, Jacob J. in Company I, 203d Eegiment Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers) ; Harper, William and Simon; Kreamer, Jesse 
and Gideon ; Miller, John and Aaron ; Otto, William and Israel 
(Samuel, another brother, was a member of Company C) ; Weight, 
John and William; Wolf, Lieutenant Simon S., and Henry. The 
relationship of cousin among the members of the company, branching 
out also to members of several other companies of the Regiment, 
was extensive, and would require too much space to delineate. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 565 

STORY OF COMPANY A. 

SUPPLEMENT. 

The following supplemental story of Company A, giving incidents of interest, 
is by Sergeant T. P. Meyer, of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania — Editor. 

Near midnight of February 4, 1864, orders reached the 148th 
to pack up and be ready to move at a moment's notice. All was com- 
motion at once, and down came our tents. In thirty minutes we were 
fully ready to move, but we did not move till daybreak, when Wb 
saw great masses of troops, of the Fifth, Sixth, Ninth and Second 
Corps, moving off toi the left and form in battle order and advance. 
They had not gone far when the continuous rattle of musketry and 
the loud roar of artillery was evidence that the enemy had already 
been found and attacked. The firing soon extended along the line 
and the battle became general. 

The Johnnies had evidently been surprised. They were driven 
from their works, which were at once occupied by our troops who 
repulsed three counter charges. The Union troops at once 
commenced to change the trenches in reverse and fronting them 
with albatis, fighting at times and working hard, on the 6th and 7th, 
on forts and trenches, putting up new camps at the same time. Our 
lines were advanced and extended several miles to the left ; a new 
line of works sprang up as if by magic ; heavy skirmishing broke out 
at intervals, day and night for several days ; but we held the new 
lines. The weather was very cold, the ground frozen hard as a rock ; 
the troops suffered greatly on account of the cold. 

The 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers, then under Col. James F. 
Weaver, was sent back to our old camp, to garrison and hold Fort 
Cummings, in anticipation of an attack in force by Lee's Army at 
this point. This movement went into history as the second cam- 
]iaign and battle of Hatcher's Run, a tributary of the Nottoway 
River. During these periods of activity, great vigilance was main- 
tained all along the lines ; the forces in the trenches were doubled 
during the nights ; the men were held close and in constant readiness. 



566 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Every morning at four o'clock the troops were called out, fully 
w|uipped and ready for fight, moved into the trenches, rain or hail, 
snow or frost, water and mud hindered not, and remained till eight 
o'clock. This was early rising and on cold inclement mornings it 
required resolution to get up and turn out. 

On one occasion, when zero weather prevailed, reveille sounded 
and I hustled out ; but finding it very cold I thought I would let Ser- 
geant Miller, who shared this responsibility with me, take the com- 
pany out alone, while I remained Avhcre it was not so cold. So 1 
rushed along in the still midnight darkness and called into every 
tent, "Turn out, boys, to occupy the trenches," till I reached Ser- 
geant Miller's tent, and shouted, "Wake up, boys, to go to the 
trenches." "Yes, yes," came the response and I thought he was fully 
awake. I returned to my tent, fixed myself again in my nest of pine 
twigs and soon slept again. I was awakened by loud calls from the 
boys in the trenches, "Turn out. Company A" and then loud laugh- 
ter. I rushed out; it was broad daylight; as far as the eye could 
reach, the trenches were full of soldiers, save the position to be filled 
by Company A. It was then I became wonderfully active. I hustled 
out fifteen or twenty men, some of them still "rasling" with their 
overcoats, when we started on a "double quick" toward our position. 
When we were half way to our post, Captain Sutton, who was ofiicer 
of the day, shouted, "Halt that company." We halted, fronted and 
"dressed the line." "Order arms and consider yourselves under 
arrest," came next. We obeyed, and, as directed so consid- 
ered ourselves. We had scarcely done this when Sergeant Miller 
came dashing douni to join the company, making a clatter on 
ihc frn/cii ground exccH^ding the noise made by the storied steed 
rode by the Knight of La Mancha, and also became a pris- 
oner. Sergeant IMillcr was a good soldier, red faced, red haired, 
heavy set, tall, gawky, and irritable; he was "guyed" a great deal 
in the Regiment and always resented in wordy outbreaks. On this 
occasion the troops in the trenches shouted all manner of uncouth 
gibes and commands to the company and calling, "John A. Miller," 

"Wake up, John A. Miller," "Fetch your boar meat, John A. 

Miller," "Stand firm ; steady there, jMiller," etc. For a full hour 



J 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 567 

we were roasted in tliis way. None of us made reply, save only 

Sergeant Miller, who frequently shouted, "Go to li , you s 

of b ." A roar of laughter would come up from the trenches 

and the taunts would multiply in quantity and variety. 

But all things must have an end, and so did this show. The 
troops were dismissed from the works about eight o'clock and retired 
to their quarters, from where their gibes and jeers still reached us ; 
but still Company A stood fast, and could not move out of the cold 
till orders came. Orders finally did come from Colonel Weaver, 
commanding the Regiment, to march the company to camp, stack 
arms, get breakfast and await orders, under arrest. We were glad 
to do this and warm our half frozen feet. About eleven o'clock orders 
from the Colonel reached me: "Without arms, march Company A 
to my headquarters." I did so and reported, ''Company A, under 
arrest, is in line outside." The Colonel came out and made us a 
speech and in part said : 

"Company A, 1 am sorry that after years of most faithful serv- 
ice in this War of long, hard marches and on terrible fields of battle, 
in camp, in the fatiguing work of building fortifications, during all 
hours of day and night and regardless of weather, as well as in the 
long and dangerous watches of the night till you were wearied well 
nigh unto death, you did your whole duty promptly and well. I sa\ 
1 am sorry to inflict even the odium of arrest upon a company ol 
such gallant, honorable and brave men. I do not know of a man 
belonging to Company A who was under arrest up to this time ; but 
you failed in the early watch of this morning; while the line of 
battle was formed in the trenches, you were asleep in your tents, and 
there was a gap in the line, which it was your duty to fill. Still, I 
am fully aware that it was not in a spirit of insubordination or 
mutiny, and therefore I will be as lenient with you as the case will 
admit. I cannot at once come to a decision. Sergeant (addressing 
me), march the company back to their quarters, let them take their 
arms, be ready for your accustomed duties, and when I want you, i 
will send for you." 

The Colonel never sent for us. To this day he has suspended 
sentence. Col. Ja.mes F. Weaver was not imperious or tyrannical, 
and had the good will of all his men, which could not be said of many 
Colonels in the Army. 



568 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



LIEUT. S. M. SPANGLEE. 

The subject of tliis sketch lived with his father on his farm near 
Rebersbiirg, (\''ntre County, Pennsylvania, when the War of tlie 
Rebellion broke out in April, 1861, and when the first call for troops 
was made he ran away from home and enlisted for three months and 
joined Company B, 10th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers ; was 
mustered out a private in August, 1861 ; re-enlisted August 22, 1862, 
as a Corporal in Company A, 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers, and 
was promoted to First Sergeant December, 1863 ; was wounded May 
12, 1864, at Spotsylvania, Virginia, a minie ball passing through 
his neck and shoulder, from which he was confined in hospital in 
Philadelphia until latter part of Augiist; in September he returned 
to Regiment. In jSTovember, 1864, was promoted to First Lieuten- 
ant and the Captain being absent wounded and never returned to the 
Regiment, the Lieutenant took charge of the company ; commanded 
it till the end of the War and returning witli his company to Harris^ 
burg, Pennsylvania, in June, 1865, when it was discharged and the 
discharges of the members of the company bore his signature as com- 
11 landing ofiicer of the company. 

Lieutenant Spangler has framed his commission which is dated 
]!^ovember 22, 1864, and liears the sigiiature of Andrew G. Curtin, 
Pennsylvania's great War Governor. His promotion, which was* 
suggested by Colonel Beaver on the ground that he liad won it bv 
gaUantry as a soldier, came to him wholly as a ])leasant surprise. 



THE STOEY OF COMPANY "C." 



PART I. 

Based Hf>oti letters oj Copt. Robert M. Fors/er. 

The effort to raise a complete *' Centre County Regiment" would 
undoubtedly have succeeded, if those who were engaged in it could 
have had more time. When the project was first broached, recruiting 
for at least twelve or fourteen companies began at different places 
throughout the county. These different efforts have been more or less 
fully sketched in ''The Citizen's Story," and, as therein indicated, the 
results of three of them ended in the combination which afterwards 
became C Company of the 148th Regiment, under the command ol 
Capt. Robert M. Forster, of Harris Township, now College. Wil- 
liam II. Bible, of Bellefonte, and Francis Stevenson, of Patton 
Township, who had recruited a number of men, joined with Captain 
Forster in making a full company and they became First and Second 
Lieutenants respectively. It was the third company in the Regiment 
in reaching the maximum number of recruits and early reached Har- 
risburg in the manner which has been detailed in other parts of this 
story and was not different from the experience of other companies. 

Captain Forster was a man in middle life who left a family oi 
a wife and three boys at home, was an intelligent, progressive farmer 
and merchant and occupied a leading position in his community, 
being the first postmaster at ''Farmers High" School," now State 
College. He was a mature man, with strong convictions and entered 
the service because of them. He was, therefore, much relied upon in 
the Regiment, took a serious view of bis responsibility as a company 
commander and could always be counted for faithful, efficient and 
intelligent service. 

After the election of the field officers of the Regiment and after 
the commissions for Captains of the several companies were received, 
it was found that he was the ranking Captain of the Regiment. What 
effect this might have had on future promotions cannot be deter- 



570 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

mined, for lie met his untimely end at Gettysburg, before that time 
arrived. 

iSTo company in the Regiment perhaps was more entitled to the 
honor of color company than C. The position required steadiness 
and reliability, and C soon acquired these cliaracteristics under the 
leadership of its substantial and reliable Captain. In one sense he 
was not a born soldier. He did not take readily or naturally to drill 
and to the love of display which, within certain limits, is desirable 
in a soldier's, make-up, but in steadiness, in seriousness, in thought- 
fulness for the welfare of his men, in devotion to duty and in pains- 
taking attention to the details of a good company commander's work, 
it is safe to say that no man stood higher in the Regiment than Cap- 
tain Forster. His influence soon became felt in his company and 
the characteristics of the man were soon exeimplified in its condition. 

The results which followed such a condition were not always 
those which gave unmitigated pleasure. Fitness for duty often led 
to details which were by no means agreeable and were yet necessary 
for the good of the service. This was discovered to its Captain's 
great regret soon after the company became established and accus- 
tomed to its position at Cockeysville the headquartes of the Regi- 
ment. The Captain of one of the other companies having been de- 
tailed to recruit his company to the maximum, it was left in the 
hands of an officer who had little experience and no aptitude for 
discipline, and the complaints which came from the neighborhood in 
which it was placed led to the necessity for an exchange which is thus 
told by the Captain in a letter to his wife, dated October 10, 1862, 
in which he says : 

"You will see from the name of our camp T'Camp Forster) ai 
tlie head of this sheet that we are not at the same })lace you left us. I 
was never more sorry to leave any place in my life than I was at 
leaving Camp Beaver. Tt was such a delightful place. We are about 
four miles up the railroad toward Ilarrisburg in a very lonesome and 
disagTeeable place. We are at the same old business — guarding the 
railroad. The cause of our being moved was the complaints whicli 
came to regimental headquarters in regard to the company which wa^ 
stationed here and Colonel Beaver thought T liad the best behaveil 
company and he sent us to take their place. That's Avhat we get for 
being good boys." 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 571 

Soon after the company became fixed in their new quarters the 
prospect of a change was gladly heard. It came in the shape of a lead 
pencil memorandum, evidently written on horseback, which read as 
follows : 

"Captain : Cook two days' rations, distribute all your ammuni- 
tion and be ready to move at a moment's notice. Don't take down 
your tents. Pennsylvania is invaded and we are wanted in Harris- 
burg. James A. Beaver, Colonel l-iSth Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
11th October, 1862." 

This cautionary command was given in view of the fact that 
Governor Curtin had telegraphed the Colonel that his Regiment 
would be needed in Harrisburg. He seemed to forget, however, 
that, although from his own home and from his own state, the Regi- 
ment had passed from under his control and its movements were 
directed by an officer of the United States Army, who, when con- 
sulted about the matter, seemed to think it was just as important to 
have the Northern Central Railway guarded as to have Harrisburg 
protected. The company, therefore, remained in its secluded and 
out-of-the-way place until the time for final marching orders came 
from proper authority. 

Company C soon, established itself in the regard of the com- 
munity and the Captain so commended himself to the people in the 
neighborhood that he was often invited out for dinner and supper 
and writes, at one time, that he had more invitations than he could 
accept. The men also fared well in this detached camp, the people 
of the community being quite willing to treat them generously, but 
disliking very much to ha^'e their poultry, fruit and vegetables taken 
without their permission. 

ISTotwithstanding the hospitality of the people in the neighbor- 
hood of his new camp, Captain Forster was not thereby deceived as 
to the sentiments of the people about him. In a letter to his sister 
he wrote : 

"I attended Episcopal preaching a short distance from camp 
today. The people are very aristocratic here and generally seces- 
sionists, particularly the ladies." 



572 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

He writes also, "We had preaching in camp this afternoon." 
November 26th, in another letter to his sister, he writes: "1 
cannot say that I dislike soldiering but, as Captain of a company, I 
have some very unpleasant duties to j>erform." In this respect he 
^vas not peculiar and, with an independent command, it was impos- 
sible to transfer the responsibility to other shoulders and he was, 
therefore, compelled to meet the requirements of the position : but, as 
already intimated, he was always ready to do this. 

About this time the weather becam© very uncomfortable and 
numerous complaints were made by his men as to the insufficiency of 
their bed clothing. In one of the letters he writes that he has 
arranged to get an additional blanket for each one of them and, later, 
says: 

"It has been raining here almost constantly for three days. It 
is very unpleasant in our tents, but tlie lumber has come for our bar- 
racks and one week from now will find us all in comfortable liouses." 

About the time the houses were finished and the company was 
ready for a comfortable winter, the order to move came, as detailed 
in other parts of this history, and C Company left its dreary quar- 
ters to join the Regiment and move through Baltimore and Wash- 
ington to the Army of the Potomac. 

The company's experiences during these movements were not 
specially different from those of other companies but, after reaching 
Washington, a number of C Compan}^ under its Captain, were left 
there to guard a wagon train of provisions which had been drawn 
by the Quartermaster and was to follow the Regiment the next day 
and also to gather up any stragglers belonging to the Regiment who 
might have been left by reason of its sudden departure or through a 
desire on their part to see the sights of the city. 

In one of his letters to' his wife, after speaking of the hospital- 
ity of Baltimore and the comfortable quarters occupied by the Regi- 
ment there and of the trip to Washington, Captain Forster says: 

"On the afternoou of the 11th of Deceml)or, the Regiment, all 
but myself and part of my e()ni]>any, took up the line of march. 1 
remained in Washington until the morning of the 13th, but left there 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 573 

about four o'clock and marched twenty-iseveoi miles. It was the hard- 
est day's work I ever did in my life. "We then encamped in a field 
until the next morning and started on our way and about noon came 
upon the Regiment. They had no provisions and were waiting foi 
us to come up. I had fourteen wagons in charge, loaded with pro- 
visions and baggage. The next day was Sunday and we again took 
up the line of march, went seventeen miles and halted about two 
o'clock." 

The march down the east side of the Potomac, the crossing of 
the river and marches and incidents relating to the brigading of the 
Regiment are all told elsewhere and need not here be repeated. 

The Captain's letter of January 1st to his wife gives his experi- 
ence on picket' duty, upon which he often dwells in his letters and 
which seemed to be peculiarly disagreeable. After wishing his fam- 
ily a Happy New Year, he writes, January 1st : 

^'My J^ew Year's day has not been as pleasant as many that I 
have spent. I was sent out yesterday morning with one hundred and 
six men to do picket duty at eight o'clock and did not get back to 
camp until this afternoon. We picket or guard the Rappahannock 
River ; the men are placed about one hundred yards apart, three at 
each post. They must keep a constant watch and are not allowed to 
have fire. After night it was very cold yesterday. The river Is 
quite narrow here, so the little boys (those he had left at home) 
could throw a stone over it in many places. The rebels are imme- 
diately on the other side. We could talk to each other across the 
i-iver but it's not allowed, nor is it allowed to fire at each other, as 
was formerly the custom." 

Qn February 1st, there is another reference to a tour of picket 
duty which was rather remarkable, but which will be well remem- 
bered by all who were on the detail for picket tliat day. After speak- 
ing of a dinner of beefsteak, fried potatoes and fried mush, crackers 
and coffee, whieh he regarded as "a pretty good dinner," he says: 

"I suppose you have snow and cold weather at this time. We 
had a snow here about twelve inches deep last week on Wednesday. 
I was sent out on picket duty that morning. It commenced snow- 
ing about nine o'clock and snowed until the next morning. I was 
out about thirty hours and, having no fire, it was very cold. I think 
I will never forget that day and night." 



574 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

C Company fared well in the epidemic of sickness which pre- 
vailed in the Regiment during this winter. Whilst some companies 
had as many as thirty men on their sick report, most of them in the 
hospital, it had but four or five and passed the winter with much 
less of sickness than some others. This may have been occasioned 
partly by the fact that it occupied the center and highest part of the 
camp and that the drainage in all directions was good from its quar- 
ters. The companies on the flanks were on much worse ground and 
this rnay, in some degree, have accounted for the increased sickness in 
some of them. 

The great amount of sickness in the Regiment required heavier 
details and more frequent service on the part of the officers and men 
who were in good health, and this fact, of course, made the details 
from C Company unusually heavy. Notwithstanding this fact, how- 
ever, and the general uneasiness which prevailed in camp on account 
of the epidemic of fever which prevailed in the Regiment in general, 
there was much of general comfort and social and other enjoyments 
among both officers and men. This is apparent from a letter, dated 
April 12, 1863, in which Captain Forster says to his wife: 

"I wish you could have been here this evening. I had quite an 
oyster supper at my tent. We had five quarts of oysters and could 
not eat them all. Our party consisted of Colonel Beaver, Major 
Fairlamb, Captain Weaver, Captain Core, Lieutenant Wilson, Lieu- 
tenant Bible and myself. 

"We have a great deal of fun here sometimes, notwithstanding 
our surroundings and the pressure of our duties. The weather has 
mucli improved and we are having summer here now T think. The 
last few days have been very warm. I am afraid it will get very hot 
before long and our water is very bad. This beautiful weather makes 
me feel like Ix^ing at home working on the farm or helping vou to 
make garden." 

On the 17th of April, 1863, in a letter to his brother-in-law, 
Mark Halfpenny, Esq., of Lewisburg, Captain Forster wrote: 

"Our Regiment was paid on Thursday — much to the satisfaction 
of us all. I think the Regiment sent home at least $60,000. I sent 
a company package of $6,600. Our Chaplain (Mr. Stevens) took 
the money home. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA FOLUNTEERS 575 

"Tliere has been a great alteration in our camp within the last 
few days. We gave up all our A tents and came down to shelter 
tents. The men have sent their overcoats, dress coats and, in fact, 
everything away but a change of underclothes. We have eight days' 
rations in knapsack and havei'sack and sixty rounds of ammunition. 
I assure you that it makes a heavy load for a man to carry and the 
men feel the want of their overcoats very much indeed, when on duty 
at night or it is rainy weather. The blouses or sack coats are very 
thin and light. The weather is delightful here at present during the 
day. It is really uncomfortably warm and makes me often feel 
like being at home working on the farm. There is a general impres- 
sion that we will move on Monday next. Our sick and all men unfit 
to march have been sent away." 

Although exceptionally favored in the matter of health in 
camp during this winter, the company was to fare badly in its first 
engagement at Chancellorsville. Captain Forster was quite ill before 
this battle, and although not able to join in the march, he remained 
in the Army and wrote, May 10th, after the battle: 

"I have been verj- sick and am not much better yet. I can 
hardly hold my head up to write these few lines. We have seen bad 
times since I wrote you last. I took about seventy men with me 
from camp here and brought twenty back, the balance all having 
been killed or w^ounded. Lieutenants Bible and Stevenson were both 
killed, also Green Carter and Simon Segner ; Sowers boys both 
wounded." 

Chancellorsville w^as a sad blow to C Company, not only because 
of those who w^ere killed outright on the field but of promising non- 
commissioned officers and others who died from wounds received 
tliere. First Sergt. C. C. Herman, who died in hospital from the 
effects of a wound, was especially missed, as he was a faithful, re- 
liable and capable First Sergeant, and would undoubtedly have been 
made First Lieutenant of his company, if he had lived. A. Green 
Carter, who was killed, was also a very capable man and would 
certainly have been heard from later, had he lived. 

After Captain Forster had been in the hospital for a little time 
in Washington and been to his home, he returned, and, in his first 
letter to his w^ife, under date of May 31st, after deploring the loss 
of Bible, Stevenson and others of his company, says : 

'^I have forty-three men in camp now. Henry Royer came back 
to the company last evening. He looks well. When I was home, 



576 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

they were expecting his discliarge soun but he is now sent back here 
and it will probably be many a day before he gets home. You can 
say to Mrs. Carter that Green is certainly dead. Our killed at Chan- 
eellorsville, besides our officers, were Green Carter, Jacob Beard, 
William Xorris, Simon Segner, Jacob Dornian and Xathan Yarnell. 
We have one man, Henry Markle, that I think will die from his 
wounds. His leg was amputated some days ago and yesterday tliey 
were compelled to make a second amputation, so that the leg is now 
off close to his body. Lieutenant Edmunds left this morning for 
home on a sick leave. Captain Weaver and Major Fairlamb expect 
to leave tomorrow morning. There have been seven deaths within the 
last ten days out of our Regiment, among them Lieutenant Musser, 
of Company D. I send this with Lieutenant Wolf, of A Compauy, 
Avho leaves for Brush Valley tomorrow morning on a five days' leave, 
and takes the body of his brother, who died a few days ago, with 
him." 

The manoeuvring which took place early in June to discover 
the position and plans of the Confederates and the final break of 
camp when we returned from Chancellorsville and the march north- 
ward ha^'e been fully detailed elsewhere and it is needless to repeat 
those details here. 

A number of letters written by Captain Forster immediately 
preceding and during the march have been preserved by his friends — 
one in lead pencil to his wife, dated June 21st, in which he describes 
the condition of the battlefield of Second Bull Run and the manner 
in which the dead were buried. 

In a letter of the 23d of June to his sister he says: 

"We marched some days as much as twenty miles and for the 
first four days of our march I have never felt the heat so in my life. 
The dust in the road was many times shoe-mouth deep. The soldiers 
gave out by hundreds and it was nothing uncommon to see men drop 
down as if dead from sunstroke, and in some cases they never re- 
covered. I had command of the Regiment for three days in the 
start, which gave me a horse to ride, which was a great improvement 
over walking. (This was accounted for by the fact that Colonel 
Beaver and Major Fairlamb were both absent wounded, and Lieuten- 
ant Colonel McFarlane, although with the Regiment, had not fully 
recovered from his attack of typhoid fever.) Our mess chests have 
been taken from us and, consequently, we can take nothing with us 
but what we carry on our backs. 

"The rebel cavalry made a dash at our pickets yesterday morn- 
ing and captured twenty and two wag(uis. 



THE i48rH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 577 

"I think we are staying here for the purpose of guarding this 
gap which is said to be an important point, but this morning our 
sick were all sent away and w© may again be on the march in a 
very short time. Our Corps is the only one here." 

Five days later, June 28th, he writes to his wife: 

"We have now been marching for fifteen days around through 
different places in Virginia. We have rested in that time about three 
days; have marched a great deal at night. On i'riday night (which 
was June 26th), about twelve o'clock we crossed the Potomac i.nto 
Maryland; glad to leave old Virginia. We have now marched thirty- 
five miles through Maryland since yesterday morning, reaching this 
place about one o'clock. We are all very tired. Our camp is about 
two miles from Frederick City. It is in sight and looks to be a 
large place. The rebels are about five miles from us, the pickets 
have been firing at each other all day. We will probably leave this 
camp tomorrow and, if the rebels make a stand, will soon be up to 
them and no doubt have a fight. It may be that we will be in Penn- 
sylvania before many days but that is very uncertain. 

"We left Thoroughfare Gap last Thursday morning and I thiijk 
just in time, for the rebels would probably have surroimded us and 
given us a good thrashing, for they were much stronger than we. 
They attacked us early in the morning, nearly all around our lines, 
and we packed up and left in a hurry. We had not marched more 
than three miles to a little town called Haymarket, by w^hich time 
they had some cannon in position and. fired upon us. They blew up a 
caisson, killed and wounded some ten or twelve mem and killed five 
horses. We stepped out lively and took long steps until we got out 
of the range of their guns. I have stood the march well, except that 
my feet are veiy sore. 

"We have reached a countrv where we can get plenty to eat. 
There are fine farms here. The wheat is nearly ripe ; in fact I 
have seen wheat in shock in the valley and a fine crop it is, I am 
well and in great spirits." 

This, so far as is known, was the last letter written by Captain 
Forster, The next intelligence received by any of his family was a 
letter dated at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 6, 1863, addressed 
to his brother-in-law, Mark Halfpenny, Esq,, and written by his 
kinsman, R. H. Forster, Captain Company A, 148th Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, which is, in part, as follows : 

"It is with feelings of the most profound sorrow that I take 
this, the very first spare moment, to give you the sad intelligence of 
the death of your brother-in-law, Capt, Robert M, Forster, who fell, 



578 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

while gallantly leading liis company into the action of Thursday 
evening near Gettyshiirg, pierced through the head with a musket 
ball. His death was, of course, instantaneous. His body was brought 
from the field and now lies buried on the farm of Mr. Jacob Him- 
njel'bach, about one mile from Gettysburg, and is marked. I visited 
the spot myself, in order that I might be able to render you any 
assistance in my power to recovering it at some future time. You 
v.'ill, of course, convey this sad and heartrending news to his mother. 
"I will not attempt to offer any vain words of consolation of 
my own to hearts that I know will be almost over-powered with grief 
and sorrow at the receipt of the sad intelligence this letter bears. I 
can only add that we all feel that the Regiment has lost one of its 
bravest and most efficient officers, while, for myself personally, I 
am fully conscious that as a valued friend and camp companion his 
place will never be filled." 

The exact details relating to the Captain's death are told in 
Osman's story, which is a part of that of the company. 

It will perhaps be well to close this portion of the story of 
Company C with the battle of Gettysburg and the loss of its gallant 
Captain. 

Before doing so, however, and as its fitting close, it is proper 
to emphasize what elsewhere appears in the "Colonel's Story" and 
which is graphically portrayed in tlie page bearing the faces of the 
martyrs of Company C. As has already appeared in this chapter, 
First Lieut. William H. Bible, and Second Lieut. Francis Stevenson, 
were both killed at the battle of Chancellorsville. Captain Forster 
was killed, as already appears, at Gettysburg. This left C Company 
bereft of all its original commissioned officers. Several of its rajik- 
ing non-commissioned officers were either killed or subsequently died 
of wounds received at Chancellorsville. Sergt. Jacob S. Lander, who 
was promoted from Sergeant to First Lieutenant, October 31, 1863, 
was killed at Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 3, 1864. Sergt. David 
G. Ralston, who was promoted from Sergeant to Second Leiutenant, 
August 26, 1863, and to First Lieutenant, July 31, 1864, was killed 
at Reams Station, August 25, 1864. Capt. Jacob B. Edmunds, who 
was ])r(>iiiotc(l tVdiii First Lieutenant of ('iiiii|iany (J, Xoveuilier IT), 

1863, having been in command of the company for some time after 
the battle of Gettysburg, was killed at Petersburg, Virginia, June 22, 

1864, and First Lieut. Samuel Everhart, who was promoted from 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 579 

Sergeant of Company G, October 3, 1864, and had been commis- 
sioned Captain, March 1, 1865, but not mustered, was killed at Five 
Forks, Virginia, March 31, 1865. 

The fatality thus shown among the commissioned officers of this 
company, numbering seven killed outright on the field of battle, is 
not known to have its parallel in the history of any company on 
either side during the Civil War. Just how remarkable this record 
i,-; will be more plainly apparent, when it is stated that, whilst a 
number of officers of other companies in the Regiment died in conse- 
quence of wounds — ^some of them on the same day or within a day 
or two after being wounded — and many officers were wounded — some 
of them severely and often — none others, except the seven name^ 
were acitually killed in battle. Is this record paralleled or surpassed 
by that of any single company in either Union or Confederate Army ? 



580 THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIA VOLUNTEERS 



thp: story of company c. 



PART II. 

By Martin Funk. 



I was born at Gatesburg, Centre County, February 3, 1838 ; 
enlisted at Stormstown, August 19, 1862, under Lieut. William 
Bible of Company C. Robert M. Forster was elected Captain, and 
I'rank Stevenson Second Lieutenant. Sworn into the service at 
Bellefonte by United States officer. Stayed one night in to-\vn on 
account of the mustering officer having too much benzine. Grovernor 
Curtin ordered him penned up till morning. 

When we were sworn in, we started for Harrisburg, bidding our 
friends good-bye. Crossed the mountains to Lewistown in wagons, 
took the train there to Harrisburg; from there to Camp Curtiii. 
There we began to play soldier, doing camp duty, drilled some in the 
afternoon and had dress parade at five o'clock. 

Went with the Regiment to Cockeysville, Maryland. 

We joined the Army of the Potomac in December; made our 
v.'inter camp at Falmouth, Virginia, and spent the winter in camp 
and picket duty, drills and dress parade. The weather was severe 
but, with all the hardships we enjoyed ourselves, as there was always 
some excitement among some of the boys. 

Witli the opening of spring came the battle of Cliancellorsville 
and, on Sunday, the 3d of May, we had a general engagement. Out 
of sixty-four men in our com})any, if I remember, there were but 
sixteen that cscai>ed without having been wounded — a great many 
killed ; Lieutenant Bible and Stevenson were killed and the Colonel 
v/ounded ; also the Major slightly, and our First Sergeant and my- 
self. I lost the use of my right arm. As I was getting a cap out of 
my box, a ball took the whole end oft" my elbow, crippling me for 
life. ^lost of the wounded were sent across the river that night. I 
saw (lur Orderly die at night and a great many others out of our 
Regiment. 

We stayed at division hospital a short time and then were 
sent to Point Lookout. There I took sick and lay on my back three 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 581 

months, lacking four days. In the fall, Governor Curtin had all our 
wounded transferred to our own state, and I, with others, was sent 
to Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, and had a pass to come home on 
election day, returned and put in the winter thea-e and, being one of 
the unlucky ones, not being able to go to the front, was sorry 1 
couldn't be with the boys, but with others of the wounded was put in 
the Veteran Reseiwe C'Orps ; thence to Washington to do guard duty 
around the hospitals and gather up stragglers, while Meade was 
making the rebels fly at the front. 

We had a detail from the 148th on guard at General Hancock's 
headquarters and one of the men had drawn rations of bread and 
got a loaf that was couched in all around. He growled awhile and 
then started for General Hancock's headquarters and asked him if he 
thought that was a day's rations for a man. The reply was that it 
was rather small and some more questions were asked. Finally Han- 
cock says : 

"Do you get half enough ?" 

''Yes," the soldier replied. 

"Then," said the General, "damned poor soldier that can't steal 
the other half." 

Soon after this the General missed his breakfast. ^Vllen Sara, 
the colored waiter, left the kitchen to call the General, the table 
was swept of its contents. A few days later the General called aj: 
the Colonel's quarters and told him what a fine Regiment he had, 
and said if he could get them within a mile of Richmond they would 
steal the city. 

I was discharged from the service October 12, 1864, on surgeon's 
certificate of disability. I have been an invalid for the last sixteen 
years and slept in a chair for fourteen years. 



582 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

THE STOUV OF COMPANY C. 



PART III. 

By A. L. Whitehill. 

I have been asked by some of my comrades to contribute some- 
thing- to the History of onr Regiment. 

I had the honor to be a member of Company C\ the color 
company. Our flag was never cajitured or disgraced, but what wa- 
loft of our colors was turned over to the proper authorities at the 
close of the War. 

As appears in other portions of this History, our company ha-^ 
the unitpie distinction of having lost more commissioned officers 
killed in battle than any other company in the Union Army (and, 
as far as known, in either Army). It lost seven officers killed and 
a number wounded. 

In the summer of 18 03, I was sent to the general hospital at 
Point Lookout, Maryland. This place is about one hundred and ten 
miles from Washington, and was a summer resort before the War. 
The cottages and a large hotel were converted into hospitals during 
the War. There was also a lighthouse on the Point and what was 
known as the Circle Wards were built by the Government and a 
large hotel and other buildings were erected by private parties. 

The Point was later used as a rebel prison. At one time the 
jjrisoners numbered twenty-six thousand, and a bettc^r site for a 
prison would be hard to find. It is a point of land wdiich divides 
the Ch('sa]ieake Bay and the Potomac River. Not a ]u-isoner could 
make liis escajie. I saw two men who were foolish enough to try. 
One dark night they waded neck deep along the bay shore and came 
to laiul (lutside the stockade and were captured by some cavalry and 
brnught back to camp. Before putting them in the pens, we took 
thcni into our barracks where th(\v warmed tlieinsclvcs and dried 
iheii- clothing. 

This prison contained about sixty acres and was surrounded by 
a board fence about fourteen feet high, with a division fence that 
separated the officers from tlie privates, there being a board walk a 
few feet lower than the fence for the sentinels to walk on. A 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 583 

stockade from river to bay and back of the stockade was artillery, 
cavalry and infantry, and on the bay and river were gun boats and 
beside the prison were infantry and artillery, so that it can be 
easily seen that escape was next to impossible, althongh an escape 
was planned by the rebel officers. 

One of the sentinels noticed an othcor walking back and forth 
as near the dead line as he dared go, without being shot. He had in 
his hand a stone tightly wrapped about with a piece of paper, that 
proved to be an order, stating that at a certain hour that night a 
signal would be given and the battery captured that had taken 
position near the prison, and turned on the Union soldiers and that 
every man must do his duty and make good his escape. But it all 
came to naught, the officer being detected in throwing the order over 
the fence, and no one was allowed to touch it. The officer of the 
guard was called and picked it up and delivered it to headquarters. 
That night all guards were doubled, but no outbreak occurred. 

.Vniong the prisoners were Colonel Breckinridge and the noted 
guerrilla chief Jeff. Thompson. There was also an old gray-headed 
nuiu, said to be the sheriff' that hung John Brown, but that may not 
be true. One prisoner turned out to be a. southern belle dressed in 
male attire and was Lieutenant of a battery. 

Some of the prisoners were detailed to build two sand forts. 
Barrels were filled with sand and stood on end in rows many barrels 
decji. How they would stand the test of a seige I do not know. 

The hardest battle I had in my three years' service was at Chan- 
cellorsville, where a comrade was killed on each side of me, but that 
was nothing compared to a whirlwind which struck the Point about 
seven o'clock one morning. It came from the Virginia side of the 
bay and the noise it made reminded me of thunder. It came in the 
shape of two large balls that could be seen very distinctly. The 
circles were about fifteen feet in diameter and reminded me of two 
great swarms of bees flying around the circle at the rate of one hun- 
dred miles a minute. The war vessels fired shells into it with very 
little effect. The balls of air I speak of appeared to be about two 
hundred feet from the earth. When they reached the wharf, on which 
was piled a lot of baled hay, it disappeared in a few seconds and 



584 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

its course was upward. The next to disappear was a sutler's stand, 
but the big fat sutler was left behind badly wounded. Xone of 
the cottage wards were destroyed but a. few of them were turned 
partly around. But some of the circle wards fared much worse. 
One ward in particular disappeared, leaving the floor behind. The 
building was full of sick and wounded soldiers and not a man was 
hurt. Some other wards were partly destroyed. A colored man that 
was standing on a pair of steps was blown into the bay. Fortunately 
not a man was seriouslj^ hurt during the storm. 

Xo Regiment remained long on guard duty. The Second and 
Twelfth Xew Plampshire, after their re-enlistment, did duty for some 
months and then were sent to the front. One hundred day men from 
Ohio served out their time on the Point. The First Battery Veteran 
Ticserve Corps men did duty there for a short time and were relieved 
b\ colored troops from Massachusetts. They were sent there after 
the battle of Petersburg where their loss was very heavy. They 
remained there through the War, some of them being former slaves. 

It may be interesting to hear of some of the doings of those 
dusky troops. As I said before, some of them were ex-slaves. The 
general supposition was that all slaves were ill-treated and no doubt 
a great majority were, but I believe there were a few exceptions to 
the rule. A former slave being on duty noticed his old master pac- 
ing back and forth as near the sentry's beat as he dared to. He 
said not a word, as the prisoners were not allowed to talk to the 
sentries and vice versa. Thinking that his old master necided some 
money, he threw him a bill and said, "Take that; I am not allowed 
to talk to you," thus showing his love for his old master. The same 
tiling occurred near the same time but showed a different spirit. 
The master said to his former slave, "Do you know me?" The 
answer was, "I used to know you," but at the same time, patting his 
gun, he said, "Be careful now or this will know you." 

As the .lolinnies were bi'onglit \n tlu- Point by the boat load, 
they wore at once marclicil iiiid fornu'd into lino in front of the pro- 
vost marshal's quart(>rs for examination. One of the guards, 
a negro (Vrporal that stood near the front line of prisoners, was 
recogTiized and spoken to by a Johnny rob. He asked the Cori)oral 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA FVLUNTEERS 585 

if he remembered the fun tliey liad along a certain stream in Virginia. 
The fun must have been one-sided for, in a moment, the Corporal 
was crazy mad. Forgetting that his gun was loaded, he put in the 
second cartridge and quickly took aim ; but, before he had time to 
pull the trigger, the gun was Wrenched from his grasp by an officer 
and the Corporal taken to the guard house. 

Toward the latter part of the War the Indians made an outbreak 
and it became necessary to send troops to conquer them. The Gov- 
ernment enlisted a regiment of prisoners that had taken the oath of 
allegiance to the United States. They were uniformed and drilled 
before leaving for their destination. A rebel officer said to me: 

"I see you are from Pennsylvania ; what county are you from f 

''Centre County," I said. 

"Were you ever in Lock Haven?" 

"Yes, sir," I said. 

"Are you acquainted with Miss Maggie White, a daughter of 
Landlord White of Lock Haven f 

"No, sir," I said, "but I stopped at the hotel while in Lock 
Haven but had no chance of making her acquaintance." 

"I am very well acquainted with Maggie and would like very 
much to hear from her. I spent some time in Lock Haven before 
the War," he said. 

"Where in the world do all you rebels come from anyway ?" I 
asked. 

"That question is easily answered ; we just shake all we want off 
bushes and trees." 

A deserter belonging to a Xew Hampshire regiment, was a 
bounty jumper and deserter and had joined different regiments and 
made a great deal of money at. the risk of his life, but finally he 
was recognized and reported, court-martialed and shot. His wife 
came to see him and remained on the Point for some time. His 
request to the firing squad was, "Don't shoot me in the face." They 
said they would not. He was not blindfolded but knelt beside the 
coffin and took his medicine like a man. 



586 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

THE STORY OF COMPAXY C. 



PART IV. 
By E. B. Walter. 



Please make room for one more log on our camp fire. The 
writer of this partial history of Company C of the 148th Regiment 
Pennsylvania \^ohinteer Infantry, was born in Snydertown, April 
9, 1845, and witi Wm. T. MoCalmont, James T. Beck, Wm. Smith 
and Robert Grater, from Jacksonville ; and Jacob S. Lander, Joseph 
Lee, Frederick Yocum, Henry W. Markle, Christian Swartz, Henry 
Swartz and Zachariah Truckenniiller, from Hnblersbnrg; and Jacob 
Dorman, from Snydertown, enlisted in Robert M. Forster's company 
at Belief on te Augnst 27, 1862. After the election of officers we took 
private conveyance to Lewistown, onr nearest railroad station, and 
arrived at Harrisbnrg about 1 :00 p. m. August 28th, where dinner 
was ready for ns in the Pennsylvania railroad depot. After dinnei 
we reported to Camp Cnrtin. At the organization of the Regiment 
September 1, 1862, we first learned that we were Company C of 
the 148th Regiment. 

On my first detail for guard duty the hours began to get pretty 
long so I thought I would take a rest. I took a seat at the end of 
my beat and heard no enemy approaching but felt a sudden jar. 
After rubbing my eyes and looking up found the officer of the guard 
before me. I saw a possible court martial and marching to my last 
resting place, the last act to be performed by my own comrades, but, 
through the goodness of the officer of the guard (Lieutenant, after- 
ward. Chaplain, Stevens) it was never reported. This was a lesson 
that was never forgotten. 

Soon after receiving our rifles we boarded a train of box cars 
and one morning landed in Cockeysville. While enroute our rifles 
became vers' useful to make openings that we might l>c able to see 
any possible enemy. Here we were ordered out of our Pullmans, 
companies formed and marched a short distance south where we went 
into camp. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 587 

One day word was received at headquarters that a large resi- 
dence about two miles northwest was a rendezvous of rebel recruits 
and spies. After a council it was decided to capture them, and two 
companies, C and H, I think, were sent on that mission. Aftei 
marching about one mile a halt was called and rifles were loaded. 
An elaborate plan of approach was made and carried out to sur- 
round the house and surprise and capture ithe spies. But we were 
doomed to disappointment, for on the final round up we had an 
empty house. 

Some time after this Company C wa& detached from the Regi- 
ment and stationed at Phoenixville, about eight miles north of 
Cockeysville. Here I was exempt from guard duty, being appointed 
to carry the mail from headquarters to Company C, but was subject 
to drill. On Saturday ^^^ile the Captain and First Lieutenant were 
on duty at headquarters the company was left in charge of our Sec- 
ond Lieutenant. On this morning about one-half of the company, 
of their own free will, went to the creek to wash and bathe. Af tei 
dinner the Lieutenant ordered the company formed and taken to 
wash and bathe, in charge of the First Sergeant, when those that had 
been rhere refused to go. Then he ordered those refusing, to be 
formed for drill. He took them on a side hill on double quick and 
continued that movement until he was tired ; and he stood and gave 
the command and when once we were headed toward quarters we 
heard no other command and the Lieutenant came into camp by 
himself. For this we were lectured by the Captain and the Lieu- 
tenant was placed under arrest. 

On the occasion of the flag presentation to the Regiment of 
course every company was to appear at its best, and Company C 
would not lag on her part. We had pride enough to outdo the other 
companies if possible, so we went to shining our brasses with a will. 
One comrade learned to shine copper and brass at home when he sug- 
gested salt and vinegar, which we proceeded to use and it worked 
like a charm and was a saving of time. When the brasses on our 
dress coats "\vere clean and bright they were stowed in our knapsacks 
until we would arrive near the field where the Regiment was to be 
formed, when we brushed the dust from ourselves and donned our 



588 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

dress coats, but imag-ine our surprise; the shining yellow we put into 
our knapsacks came out a green. This accounts for Company C 
being in line without its brasses. The exercises here were grand 
and when the comrades learned that the ladies of Pennsylvania had 
presented the flag to the Regiment to carry and protect it from its 
enemies, we all felt that we had a great charge in trust and we all 
saw more clearly our duty to country and responsibility to friends 
at home. 

December 9th we were ordered to Washington on our way to 
join the Army of the Potomac. About half way to the front our 
rations gave out ; we had not yet learned to confine ourselves to our 
daily allowance. Hence the name of our oamp — "Starvation." On 
this march near Port Tobacco we met with a field of turnips and we 
would have maide a record as a Regiment here but our Colonel in- 
terfered, knowing we could not endure such a strong diet. On this 
march w^e lost one man by desertion. We arrived at Fredericksburg 
as the Army was moving into their old camp after the battle. Here 
we were assigned and went into camp as a part of the Anny of the 
Potomac to share with its victories and defeats to the close of the 
struggle. Wliile here we had a loss of four comrades: George 
Gates, Daniel Gates, A])raham Freed and John Mclvason by disease. 

Our brigade commissary furnished us with extra rations, but 
for the Irish Brigade commissary we had a sjiecial liking, for much 
of its stores found their way to our company. 

While the deep snow covereid the ground and the camp g^iiarCl 
were excused for that day some of the boys availed themselves of the 
opportunity of getting fuel when they proceeded to tear down the 
guard house, which disappeared as by magic, but soon the guard 
was again posted and a new guard house built. Tt was my pleasure 
to occupy one room in this mansion (unjustly I think). I was on 
camp gniard and at noon the relief had permission to. go for dinner, 
during which time a general officer came through camp and our re- 
lief not being there to salute, the officer of the day ordered our entire 
relief into the guard house. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 589 

That same evening' the returning picket guard were ordered to 
be ready for dress parade, which they refused to do, when they were 
brought into the guard house, which crowded us too much for com- 
fort. While their names were taken and divided into reliefs I took 
my leave. 

About April 28th we broke camp for our Cliancellorsville cam- 
paign. When we had crossed the river the cry was heard all night, 
''On to Richmond !" 

In the morning Ave arrived at Chancellorsville. We were in no 
great hurry to go forward. A'bout 11 :00 a. m. the report of a cannon 
greeted us and we were ordered about two miles east of the Chancel- 
lor House to support a battery. All was quiet east of us, but to our 
right the skirmish fire was pretty warm and the bullets came too close 
for comfort and we wished the battery we were supporting would 
open fire on that part of the field. We had not long to wait for an 
officer rode up and ordered our battery to open fire on a rebel battery 
east of us. The order was obeyed and we soon had a reply. Then 
if I could have lowered myself into the earth three or four feet I 
would have hastened tO' do so. This was our first experience under 
artiller)^ fire. 

After some time we were ordered back to the Chancellor House 
where Ave Avere massed with the artillery in rear of the infantry. 
When the rebels charged a battery south of us and our artillery in 
rear fired over us we lost our first man in battle as elsewhere related. 

Soon after this Ave Avere ordered some distance east, until nighr, 
when Ave returned to near the Chancellor House;^ where we were 
ordered to build breastAvorks, Avhich Ave did very Avillingly. They 
were built of brush Avith heavy logs on top and then we felt sale 
from the enemy on the east but it was not to be so for long, for during 
the night General Hancock happened along Avhere we Avere and seeing 
our defenses he inquired Avhat they were. Imagine our surprise 
when he ordered us in front of them. I know we Avere inclined to 
criticise his order, but to obey orders is the duties of a soldier. In 
this position Ave remained until morning (Sunday), then we Avere 
ordered into action Avest of the Chancellor House, where we received 
our baptismal fire and Avhere our losses Avere larger than any other 



590 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

regiment and I think Company C lost more men than any company 
in the Regiment. 

I was both fortunate and unfortunate in this engagement ; for- 
tunate that I escaped with my life, unfortunate in that I was slightly 
wounded twice and a ball through my knapsack, haversack and 
bayonet scabbard. With alli this I came out one better than I went 
into the engagement, for when we were ordered to fall back a few 
rods I spied a rebel in the act of ramming a load in his gun. I drew 
a bead on him and lie threw up bis hands in token of surrender. 
When I turned him over to our commander, Fairlamb, he turned, 
looked at the prisoner, and told him to go to the rear. Soon after we 
retreated in rear of the defenses that had been erected. Our with- 
drawal from 'Chancellorsville is fresh in the memory of all our living 
comrades. Our (Company C) casualties were:* 

Our march to Gettysburg began June 12th. Hard marching 
was an every day occurrence. At Snicker's Gap we had a little brush 
with the rebels in which they used a horse battery which seemed to 
be everywhere at the same time. We continued our march without 
molestation. On this march the company lost one man by desertion. 
We arrived near Gettysburg about 9 :00 p. m. of the first day battle, 
July 1, 1863. One day previous to this we were amused to see the 
excited citizens congregate along the route of march and 1 asked 
them if there was any fighting up there, and the answer was, "You 
bet; drive them back here and we will drive them farther.'' But 
the two following days was too much for them, for on our return 
there were no crowds of citizens until about fifteen miles away we 
met some of them returning. Arriving near the battlefield on July 
1st, 9 :00 p. M., we were formed in line of battle and lay on our arms> 
until day break of tlie 2d, when we were taken to the front and 
assisted in forming the line numoeuvring to keep tint of range of 
the enemy's shells. Here we lost Comrade George Ozman. After 
the line was established we began throwing up breastworks, but we 
were not long to occupy them for in the afternoon we were taken 

*Comrade Walter gives a full list of losses, all of which will be found under 
the head of " Casualties." — Editor. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 591 

left in front into the wheat field to check the enemy in their attempt 
to capture Little Round Top and cut off the Third Corps. 

Here we had some hot work. A ball lodged in my rifle and on 
turning around I saw the Captain and asked him to drive it down 
with a stone. This was the last time I saw the Captain alive. After- 
ward we were relieved by a portion of the Fifth Corps and retired 
to the rear of Little Round Top until the morning of the 3d, when 
we again took the position we had left the previous day. We at once 
began to strengthen our defenses and had just coanpleted them when 
the historic artillery duel began. During this duel I was sitting 
with my back to the works. Sergeant Graham was sitting with his 
feet in the ditch and his face to the front. All at once he exclaimed, 
"Look out, Walter," at the same time raising his feet when a piece 
of shell buried itself inj the earth between his feet. Soon after this 
he again gave the warning when a piece of shell dropped upon m;^ 
left shoulder causing a bruise. 

July the 4tli I spent in helping to bury the dead, and in the 
afternoon of the 4th, I believe, we withdrew to the Two Taverns. 
Our casualties in this engagement were: (See ''Casualties.") 

We were left here without a commissioned officer. Our com- 
pany was in command of Sergeant Ralston. After a day of rest we 
again resumed our return march by way of Fredericktown, Mary- 
land, to near Williamsport, where we again met the enemy strongly 
posted. Nothing but a few exchanges of shots occurred here. After 
a few days we again advanced and had some skirmishing with the 
rebels. We started for Harper's Ferry by way of the tow path. Here 
we were very short of rations, for our supply train could not> go with 
us, but had to take a, circuitous route to Sandyhook, where we drew 
new clotliing and fresh beef. After a few days of rest we resumed 
our march for Virginia, by way of the Loudon Valley, Warrington 
and Manassas Gap. 

Hearing of some fresh meats about two miles out I went with 
two other comrades to investigate, when I found the report true. 
We at once proceeded to fill our haversacks, when to our left we 
heard some cavalry and having no great desire to see Mosby we de- 
camped in short order. In our retreat we had to cross a millrace, 



592 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

which I did, but how, I am imable to say, and succeeded in reaching 
a thicket and not a minute too soon, for the moment I was in a cav- 
alryman rode to where I entered. After remaining quiet for some 
time and the coast seemingly clear, I worked my way to camp with 
my haversack full of beef and mutton. 

The next morning we again resumed our march when we learned 
that Mos'by had not been after the boys but our own provost guard 
and quite a goodly number they had to exhibit in the ring at the 
close of the day's march. Stevensville, I believe, was our objective 
point where we remained during August. 

In September we advanced on Brandy Station and Culpepei. 
While we advanced on Brandy Station we had a grand view, the long 
lines of shining steel advancing in line of battle. In the evening 
we camped in line of 'battle. When we gathered fuel to cook supper 
in a grove near by the owner came out and claimed to be a Union 
man but complained because we were taking his dry wood and the 
boys threw down their wood and went for the feu'ces and the siding 
on his house. The good supper I had, of tomatoes which came to my 
hand somehow, will ever be fresh in my memory. 

The next morning the advance was continued to Culpeper, and 
how pleasant the southern ladies looked at the boys in blue as they 
marched through their historic town. At the Rapidan we concluded 
to stop for reasons well kno^vn by all. In a few days our Corps re- 
turned to near Brandy Station where we remained until October, 
when General Lee concluded we had rested long enough and turned 
the right of our Army, aiming to establish himself between Wash- 
ington and the Army of the Potomac. While I was on picket the 
Regiment moved some two miles into a thicket. Rations and a 
guide awaited the returning picket; in fact it required a competent 
guide to find the 148th Regiment. About 5:00 p. m. the 'boys began 
to get hungry and thirsty. We gathered wood and built fires, when 
Major Fairlamb came tearing throug'h the brush and gave the com- 
mand, "Fall in 148th." The boys sprang to their guns. He said, 
"Not exactly fall in but you can't make coffee." This was a by-word 
with the company while we were in the service. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 593 

This same evening about 9 :00 p. m. we started on our retreat to 
Bull Run after we had recrossed the Rappahannock ; ammunition 
and commissary stores were being destroyed ; then it dawned upon 
us that we were being flanked. 

Our next brush was at Auburn — "Coffee Hill''^ — where the 61st 
New York (having lately been filled with recruits with full knap- 
sacks) stacked arms in rear of our Regiment, sought safety in flight 
and I secured a full knapsack, just what I needed, for the nights 
were getting cold. 

Our dnim corps was outgeneraled here, for they could find no 
rear. After the Second and Third Divisions had cut their wa\ 
through, we retreated to a position where the rebels could not attack 
us, but marched by our right flank causing us to make a hurried 
retreat. During this move I was on the line of flankers, and when 
we arrived at Bristoe, Comrade English (F Company, I think) 
walked from the line of battle to the left onto an eminence, behind 
which lay a line of battle when he exclaimed, "Captain, by G — , here 
they are," and at the same time fired. We soon had plenty to do. 

About 9 :00 p. m. we continued our mardh to Bull Run, arriving 
there in the early morning. During our stay here (two or three 
days) we witnessed a sad sight. The death penalty was inflicted 
upon a comrade, when, with one lone drummer he was taken to his 
place of execution. 

We again took up our march for the Rappahannock, crossing 
that stream with little opposition. About December 1st we started 
on the Mine Run campaign which was not without its hardships, 
on account of the advanced season. After our return to Brandy Sta- 
tion we went into winter quarters. Here I experienced three days of 
the hardest picket duty. The three last days of 1863 rained all the 
time until about 4 :00 p. m. of the third day, when' the skies cleared 
and by 9 :00 p. m. the earth was frozen hard. 

We were anxious when the new year would dawn and our relief 
come. This camp was pleasantly located in the timber but I was not 
to winter here. One day while about camp duties I was approached 
by an Orderly from regimental headquarters with an order to report 
at once at the Adjutant. I was informed that with Sergeant Baum- 



594 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

gardner and Sergeant Jones, 1 was detailed on reerniting service with 
Captain Patterson in charge. So, through tlie favor of Adjutant 
Muffly, I' was permitted to return to my home. After our arrival 
at Harrisburg and rejwrting at headquarters, we were informed that 
one of every recruiting detail Avas t-o remain at Ilarrislnirg for duty, 
and I being the junior member, was left at. this post. Our duties 
here were to enlist and forward recruits as they arrived from the 
interior to their respective commands, and to arrest deserters and 
bounty jumpers. 

About the first of April I received an order from the War De- 
partment detailing me on recruiting service at Harrisburg. I re- 
mained until about Octoiber 27^ 1864, when I was relieved and re- 
ported to my company, about November 15th. The company was 
stationed at Fort Morton in front of Petersburg. During my ab- 
sence many changes had taken place in Company C, which I will 
endeavor to give. During the three days in tiio Wilderness May 5, 
6, 7, 1864, no Josses were reported but in the subsequent o^^ratipns 
from Po River and Spotsylvania to Ream's Station. At Po River 
the following were reported, nmnbering sixty-seven men, besides 
fifteen transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. (See "Casualties.") 

Sigfried ITeiligstein, substitute, deserted ^lay 10th. Of this 
comrade it was said that he had captured a rebel flag and a rnion 
officer took it from him. We never heard anything from hiui after 
this date. (See ''Casualties.") 

Such were our losses when 1 rejoined the com]>any about Xo- 
vend)er 15, 1864. Soon after the above date the Ninth C^rps re- 
lieved us, when we took ^wsition some distance to the left (Forts 
Sampson and Cummings) when we were exempt from ]ucket dut\, 
but instead we had to man the works from before daylight until day- 
light. Dnring the extension of our line in February we wer(> not 
ordered ont of onr (|iiai"tors until the rebels assaulted Fort StcMhnan 
March 25, 1865. We were then (U'dered to nuike an attack on the 
South Side Railroad in our frcmt. An incident might be mentioned 
here. While the Division was being formed with the Irish Brigade 
on the right and the First Brigade on the left, an order was received 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 595 

for the 148tli Reg'imeiit to proceed to the right of the Division. When 
passing the Irish Brigade they made this remark, "Go in llSth with 
yonr seven shooters," and I replied, "All right, Pat, we will give it 
to them." We deployed from the rear on double quick through an 
open field and joined with the Sixth Corps skirmishers. The division 
moved to the left into some timber where the rebels charged upon 
them, and we raked them in the flank which caused them to retire, 
thereby saving the Division from heavy loss. ]^o doubt the Irish 
Brigade were convinced that we were worthy of the repeating rifles. 
About 9 :00 p. m. we returned, into our old quarters, where wc 
remained until March 29th, when Sheridan with his cavalry came 
by our camp followed by the Fifth Corps, the Second in turn fol- 
lowing the Fifth Corps, the cavalry's right resting on the breast- 
works extending at a rig'ht angle, when the Fifth Corps filed in rear 
of cavalry and took jX)sition on left of cavalry and Second C^3r|>s on 
left of Fifth Corps. When we were in this position the cavalry 
took position on our left. Now we found ourselves separated from 
the balance of the Army. About March 31st the Fifth Corps, then 
across Hatcher's Run, were surprised and thrown in confusion, when 
the Second Corps were ordered to rally them, but we were unable to 
do so, and the Second Corps was ordered forward with fixed bayonets. 
When we arrived at the run a halt was called, lines dressed and then 
commanded forward on the charge. Here were the last words spoken 
by me to Lieutenant Everhart. They were in regard to crossing the 
run which was a sluggish stream about two rods wide, with bunches 
of grass and reeds growing in it. The LieuJtenant asked how I pro^ 
]>osed to cross it. I replied, "Jump from one grassy plot to the 
other," thinking there was some earth in the plots, but I was dis- 
appointed for my first leap found me in water and nuid nearly 
waist deep and the Lieutenant plunged in beside me. The charge 
was continned some distance. Our right wdng could not drive the 
enemy in front of them, causing a cross fire on our line, when we 
were recalled. (In the first charge we lost Lieutenant Everhart, 
killed.) We again charged a little tO' the right of our first charge, 
tliis time driving them back into their defenses. Here, when we 



596 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

broke the rebel line, Company C deployed as skirmishers, without 
orders and continued driving' the rebels into their works. 

I think I have some claim on this part of Virginia. While we 
were in line endeavoring to rally the Fifth Corps, I had some fresli 
beef on the fire boiling, thinking- all would be over in a few minuteb, 
but instead we were ordered forward. The meat must be well done 
now. 

About 9 :00 p, m. we moved to the left in rear of the burning 
breast^^'orks, and on the morning of April 1st we were confronting 
the rebel works defending the South Side Railroad. Two brigades 
of our IHvisiou assaulted them but were repulsed. Word was brought 
to General Miles (who was close to us) of the repulse when he used 
some emphatic language and said, "I can take the place with tlie 
14Sth Pennsylvania," and ordered two companies out and the old 
Irish Brigade skirmish line to advance with them. Companies C 
and TI were ordered forward and when we arrived on the field we 
found the enemy strongly ])(>sted behind breastworks. We were 
ordered forward and started on a double quick when the rebel skir- 
mish line opened fire on us, but instead of the old skirmish line ad- 
vancing with us they opened fire on the rebels, some of their bullets 
coming too close to us for comfort, when we were recalled and the 
balance of the Regiment was brought to our assistance. We again 
went forward ; soon had to extend our line to twenty paces to cor- 
respond with the enemy's line. We charged and carried the works, 
capturing more than seven hundred prisoners and some seven pieces 
of artillery. Here T was nearly buried alive. In a tem])i)rarv halt 
while the line was being extended I saw a washout some distance in 
advance, which I occupied, when a sharpshooter crowded in beside 
me. Then we had a game of ball with the rebels, this being the last 
resistance to us of any importance. We had a few skirmishes with 
them. 

While the battle of Farmville was fought our Regiment was 
on duty foraging for the Division. On the morning of April 0th 
wo W(n'e again in line of battle awaiting orders, when the white flag 
was displayed. Oui* caps went into the air and cheer followed cheer. 



THE 14STH PENNSYLFJNU FOLUNTEERS 59? 

This was a liappy day for me, it being my twentieth birthday. The 
return to Washington was noted for the hard marching. 

Comrades of Company C, we can have a. jnst. pride in onr rec- 
ord above any other company in onr Regiment, not wishing to pluck 
one flower from their wreatli of glory, but to ns was given Old Glory 
to guard and protect and from the time it was given to us to escort 
to the Colonel's quarters after the dress parade until our muster out 
it was never allowed to trail in the dust nor be polluted by the touch 
of a rebel's hand. Trusting we may be as true to the Captain of oiir 
Salvation as we have been to Old Glory, I remain your comrade. 

(The Editor regrets the necessity of condensing the stories. Comrade 
Walter's contribution contains a very complete list of losses in his company, 
but as they all appear elsewhere, space could not be spared for them in this 
chapter. Hence the lists, with many other matters of interest, must be omitted. ) 



598 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



THE STOEY OF COMPANY C. 



PART V. 

By Lemuel Ostnan. 

j\Iany rumors of war came to our community early in 1861. 1 
was then working upon a farm near State College. I was one day 
plowing near tlie road when a man who was passing came to me 
and asked how I felt about going to war. I said I would like to 
go but was not old enough. 

''How old are you f ' said he. 

"Fifteen," I replied. 

He said that was too young. 

I kept thinking all the while of becoming a soldier. Time 
passed and the War continued, until the fall of 1862. I then asked 
my father if he would be willing to haA^e me enlist. He said, ''You 
are too young, and this War won't last long, but if you must go, 
try it. Who are you going with ?" was the next question. I was 
then living with a man by the name of Mallory, in Ferguson Town- 
ship, who had two sons in the Second Pennsylvania Cavalry. The 
boys wrote home as to what battles they were in and how our boys 
gave it to the rebels. This still aroused me the more and, when I 
went home one evening to State College, I met Robert M. Forster, 
v/ho said to me: 

"Lemuel, I am going to raise a company of one hundred men, 
will you be one to help fill it ?" 

"Yes," I quickly replied. 

It was made known in the neighborhood that there would be a 
meeting in the old Swartz School House for the purpose of enlisting 
men for this company. I was the first man to signi the roll. A com- 
pany of one hundred men was raised in a short time. Wliat a fine 
lot of fellows they were, with their rosy cheeks and quick and light 
step ! 

I do not remember how the company was filled, l)ut we were 
taken to Bellefonte, examined, and sworn into the service and thence 
went to I^wistown by wagon and to Harrisburg by rail. When we 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 599 

reached Harrisburg, we marched to a long shed and took dinner, 
-—and such a dinner! Hard tack and pork as thick as a cheese. 
Coffee was served also. I looked up and down the ranks of the com- 
pany to see how the rosy-cheeked lads were taking it, and lo ! to 
my surprise, I saw in the ranks with the boys, a cracker and a piece 
of fat pork in his hand, Governor Curtin, who was having lots of 
fun with the boys and who, by his presence and good humor, helped 
to hearten the situation. We then marched to Camp Curtin, which 
was then famous as the point for assembling Pennsylvania volunteers 
before their entry into service. 

The first service which I recall in camp was the dress parade 
the evening after we reached there. At the next roll call, wath 
several others, I was detailed for guard duty in the morning. I rose 
early anxious to know what my duty was. Guard mounting came 
and afterwards the guard was divided into reliefs. I was on the 
third relief, post Xo. 19. For a weapon I had something like a 
baseball bat. Some had guns and some other weapons but, as we 
were in a friendly country, this made but little difference. It 
did not seem long until w^e were equipped with arms and accoutre- 
ments, ready for active service. 

Marching orders at length came and we went by rail from Har- 
risburg over the Northern Central Railroad, arriving at Cockeys- 
ville, Maryland, the next morning. We then began company and 
squad drill and soon became acquainted wath the manual of arms 
and other parts of the school of the soldier. We were not allowed 
to remain at Cockeysville but were taken to a little village east of it 
to guard the railroad but still kept on drilling. What a fine time 
we had there. Our principal rations, hard bread and fat pork, with 
bean soup for dessert; and the company cooks, what a clean lot they 
were! You could not imagine their looks, cooking at the smoking 
fire-place, all black and greasy; but we thought little of it at the 
time. They did the best they oould and we were content. 

If I could only write fully what is in my mind, what a story 
I could give of Company C, commanded by Capt. Robert M. Forster ! 
What a fine officer he was ! Always at his post, when called upon for 
dutv and alwavs readv for whatever was demanded of him. 



600 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

We caiii])e(l at Coekcysville for several months and, as winter 
approached, barracks were built in good shape, ready for the cold 
weather. We worked hard npon our winter quarters, thinking what 
a nice place we would have, but slei)t in them one night only. 
Marching orders came in December. All the companies of the Regi- 
ment were assembled at Cockeysville to proceed by rail to Baltimore. 
When the companies came together, what a fine Regiment it was, led 
out with the drum corps and Colonel Beaver at the head. I can 
see him yet on his little bay horse. How proud he looked, and not he 
only, but the company officers felt proud to see a long line of men 
move out together, and the ladic'?, with whom our boys got ac- 
quainted, giving us good-bye. Arriving in Baltimore, we got sup- 
]'er and sta^-ed all night and marched across the city to take the train 
for Washington, where we arrived and spent the night. Crossed 
the river (east branch of the Potomac) the next day on our march to 
the front. 

We spent about three days on our march. What a pleasant time 
we had. Lots of fun and jokes of all kinds passed upon each other 
a? we marched. 

Among the things for which we prepared most carefully in 
camp were our inspections. Sometimes we had a general inspection 
on Sunday morning and at these the Colonel was always very par- 
ticular. We learned to g-et ready for them, so as to have evervthing 
ill the best order. We had monthly ins])ection, when an officer from 
another regiment usually acted as inspector. I remember at one of 
the insj)ections I thought I had gotten myself up in good sha])e, 
but my hat rim was turned u}). The inspecting officer looked me all 
over but said nothing. Colonel Beaver followed him and, looking me 
over, took my hat off of my head and, turning the rim down, took 
his white handkerchief out of his ]>ocket and dusted it and put it 
liack on my head, without saying a word. That cut me worse than 
i'; he had given me a good scolding, lie never had to repeat that 
with me, as T remembered the lesson well. 

We finally came to the Potomac about five o'clock in the even- 
ing, crossed over next day and lay in the woods and next day 
marched to canij). While putting uj) (|uarters for the winter, there 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 601 

was quite a time getting tlie logs in from the woods, but we soon 
had our huts up and, after finishing our camp, spent most of the 
winter in drill and doing picket duty. We were called upon to per- 
form all kinds of military duty, getting ourselves in good shape for 
the coming spring campaign. 

When spring came, marching orders came with it. We crossed 
the river to Chancellorsville, the story of which will be fully told 
by others. We formed line with other troops at different points 
\vliich we held, as directed, when we were finally formed in line of 
battle and the command '* Forward ! Guide center!" given. The 
story has been told that there were no pickets in front but I saw 
at least two, when we were going through the woods. They said, 
"Look out; there they are," and fell in with us, but what regiment 
they belonged to I cannot tell. Wlien the Colonel gave the com- 
mand ''Lie down," one of them fell on me dead. Henry Sowers 
was wounded in the side, the blood from his wound running over 
my haversack. We finally got up without a command, for all of 
Company C's officers. Lieutenants Bible and Stevenson, who were 
with us in battle were killed. One Sergeant was left with us. Captain 
Forster being sick was not with us at the front. I was struck with 
a ramrod ; was giving a. Company D man a drink of water. As 
I was about to lift him, the ramrod struck the tree he was leaning 
against, gave me a side-wipe and cut my knapsack in two. We had 
drawn eight days' rations; I had two plugs of ISTavy tobacco and a 
portfolio of paper, etc., so you see how I was left in coming out. 
Green Carter, of our company, was wounded. I helped him to the 
rifle pits and he says to me in a low whisper, "Lem, I can't go any 
further." He bled to death. By helping him I had lost the Regi- 
ment but soon found it. at the left of the Chancellorsville House, 
badly shattered. After falling back across the river and regaining 
the old home camp, out of twelve of us who had occupied one of 
our shelter huts, I was the only one left to occupy the home. My 
feelings may be imagined, but I cannot describe them. In a few 
days some came back. 

I recollect one evening, as our Regiment was on dress parade, 
Governor Curtin made us a visit and made a little speech. He was 



602 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

overcome for a time and could not speak. The tears rolled down his 
cheeks, thinking of the many home boys left on the battlefield. He 
said there would be many others to kiss the dust yet, before the War 
was ended. He was right. 

After remaining in camp for several weeks, we took up our 
march for Gettysburg — a forced march, uj>on which we met the 
enemy occasionally. At the Thoroughfare Gap I remember we 
gave them a warm reception. During this march we came to a stream 
of water through which we were compelled to wade. I pulled 
my shoes off, so that I would not get sand in them, and tied them 
together. The current was strong, every man was pressing forward 
for himself and, in the confusion, my shoe string came open and 
away went my shoes. I was in a bad way but was compelled to 
march on without any covering for my feet. 

We approached the battlefield that evening and lay down for 
the night. Captain Forster and I slept together. I can see him on 
his knees praying that God would be with him and the rest of us. 
1 fell asleep, listening to his prayer. The next morning I asked him . 
what we would have for breakfast and he said, "Bring my ha^'^r- 
aaek and we will see what I have." He found some meat and soft 
bread and told me to bring water and he would make the fire. On 
my way for the water, I came to a soldier who was coming from the 
hospital. He had an extra pair of shoes. I told him what had 
happened to mine and he gave me a pair. I thanked him very much. 
They didn't fit very well, for they were No. lO's and I wore ^o. T's. 
They answered the purpose, however. I brought the water, we 
cooked breakfast and ate heartily, never thinking that that was my 
last meal with the Oaptain. After breakfast we were ordered to fall 
in and march out in front, fonning in line of battle. The rebs got 
our range with their artillery and we changed our position and lay 
down, some of us very tired and sleepy. The rebs still kept firing a 
shot now and then and my uncle, George Osman, who was no doubt 
in a sleep, was hit by a sj^ent shell which struck him on the car- 
tridge box. It was a terrible shock, from which he did not recover. 
He was the first man killed at that ])lace. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 605 

Our next move was to the wheat field and in front of us was a 
stone fence, behind which the enemy were gathered thick. Their 
guns were raised on the fence ; the barrels of them glittered like a 
looking glass. All at once tlieir line broke, the left of our line 
having given them a cross fire. They couldn't stand it and Captain 
Forster says, ''They are falling back, boys ; forward !" The barrel 
of my gun had got hot and dry and I couldn't force a ball down. I 
stepped back and told Captain FoTster, who told me to throw it down 
and hunt another. I threw it down, ran along the line, got one in 
Company I. When I came back the Captain was dead ; the blood 
was running down his cheek. I picked up his cap and laid it on 
his head, but did not think of getting what was in his pockets. Sergt. 
John Benner, the color bearer brought off his sword and belt and the 
next winter when on furlough took them home to his sister. I after- 
wards saw the sword and recognized it by some peculiar marks, hav- 
ing often cleaned it for the Captain. I came back and rejoined tl.e 
ranks having loaded the gim I had picked up and just as I was about 
to shoot, a rebel gave himself up as a prisoner. He passed through 
to the rear and, coming to the 81st Pennsylvania, drew a big revolver 
from his belt and shot a Sergeant through the body. I struck him 
over the head wdth my gun and knocked him down. Just then an 
officer of the 81st gave him a blow with his sword. He used it freely. 
Ajs I was busy loading and firing, standing close to our colors (ours 
was the color company) the Sergeant who carried the blue flag was 
shot dead. I picked it up, jumped across the little stream near our 
monument at Gettysburg, stuck the flag staff in the ground near the 
woods, and seeing the rebs forming a new line, I raised the flag and 
took it back and gave it to John Benner, as the new line of battle 
was approaching. I feared we were too weak to withstand it, but 
wt held our ground. I was putting a cap on my gun, when a shell 
burst above me, knocked the barrel off my gun and I had nothing in 
my hands but the bare stock. David Krebs, a soldier of our com- 
pany, was just then wounded and I got his gun. 

Ammunition was getting short and orders were given to fall 
bpck. We fell back near the stone fence. The command then was 
given "Lie down." The bucktails passed over us, when we arose and 



604 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

marched to tlie rear. The sun was just setting, when we got our sup- 
per, after which we formed a new line and lay down for the night, 
feeling very tired. 

The next day was a very trying day, lying there in line. Every- 
thing was quiet. We could hear the rumble of the cannon till ax 
last everything was in readiness. General Hancock came riding along 
our line. H© lasked Colonel McFarlane, who was in connnand : 

''Where in the — is General Caldwell ?" 

The Colonel replied: "To the left of us." 

"Why in the — hasn't he got his men throwing up breast- 
works ?" 

It was not long till we had the breastworks up and the shelling 
commenced, but the breastworks were of little use to me. Lying 
l)ehind them, we all got very thirsty and I volunteered to go for 
water. I took all the canteens I could carry and, when I was at the 
spring filling them, a cannon was fired and then another and then 
the ball opened for certain. Shells were flying in every direction, 
just as bad in the rear as in front. The like I never saw — bursting 
and hitting one another. I brought the water to the company and, 
meeting an officer commanding the battery which was placed along 
onr Regiuient, he took nio by the hand and led me to a large stone 
that lay in rear of our markers and tohl me over and over what I 
should do. Of course, I had to obey, as our company liad no 
officers. The piece I was with had two men killed and three horses 
badly used up. I went to work according to the officer's direction 
and can-icd shell and canistcu" to the guinu'r. That was a hot place 
for me. Shells would burst in fmnt of me, the burnt ])i)wder would 
hit me in the face and burn me and, as tlie line of battle was ad- 
vancing across the field, it looked as though it was all over for us. 
I3ut, as they <'ame on and grape ami canister were used, it mowed 
them down like flies, l)ut they would close up together and then an- 
other volley would make it hot for them. The result is known to all. 
So yon see I was in two hot fires at the battle of Gettysburg — once 
with my own company and afterwards in the artillery. After the 
battle was over, the officer came to me and said I did well; T never 
could find out the officer's name or what battery it was. They 



I 



THE 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 605 

treated me well and I have always thought I would like to meet one 
of them again. 

The next move I recall was to Falling Waters, I was on the 
skirmish line and captured lots of prisoners lying all along the 
way. At that place we had quite a skirmish with some rebel cavalry 
who had with them several pieces of artillery. When we were near 
St. James' College, I was on picket; it was raining; Daniel Baum- 
gardner and Thomas McBath and I were on together. We built 
a rail pen and put some straw on it for a roof. There was a straw 
stack near. I was wounded at this place, by a sharpshooter, in the 
right leg. I went over the hill just close by and made some coffe« 
and came back and sat down to eat my breakfast. There was a 
straw stack near us behind which was a sharpshooter. He was the 
one that shot me. I had nothing to bandage my leg with and thought 
of everything possible that I could use for that purpose. At last I 
thought of the lining in my haversack and took it out and made the 
best use of it I could ; lay there all day. At length the officer of 
the day came his rounds. Looking to the left of us I saw a reb 
crawl up a tree to shoot him, when he would come in good range, 
but I soon stopped his plans, for I shot him off the tree. He had 
on him one of our officer's coats. We were relieved during the night 
and marched to camp. I was very lame; my leg was swelled badly. 
I stuck to the Regiment all day. We soon reached Harper's Ferry 
and lay along the canal, where we drew clothes and a ration of 
whiskey. While we were lying there, I took the bandage off my leg, 
washed it and, rubbing it, I found a buckshot deep in the flesh. 
I had a combination knifei, with fork and spoon, and, taking the 
knife rubbed it upon a stone and made it as sharp as I could, cut 
the ball out, tied it up again and it soon got well. We reached 
Manassas Gap July 20, 1863. 

We lay down there for the night and marched the next day. 
When night came on, I was detailed for picket. As we were forming 
a new picket line that evening, the officer in charge of us said, "Three 
m.en drop out here." It was at the edge of the woods. I threw off 
my roll which I had on my back and sat down on a log, looking to 
the front; could see no one in front of me, but there were some 



606 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

cavalry pickets tiiere. One shot at nie several times before I could 
locate where he was. I had a good place to conceal myself behind 
the log; at last I found out where he was concealed, — behind a cedar 
tree. I raised the first sight of my rifle, saw and hit him just below 
the apple of his throat. Just in rear of where he lay his horse was 
tied to a stone. Our pickets were withdrawn the next morning and 
the cavalry took our place. 

After the Gettysburg campaign and the return of the Army to 
Virginia, we marched in retreat to Bull Run, the belief being that 
General Lee was turning our right flank. On our retreat our Brigade 
brought up the rear and at Coffee Hill, as it was called (otherwise 
Auburn Mills), where we met the enemy, it appeared as if they had 
surrounded us. There was a sharpshooter in the rear of us picking 
of!' our men. I saw him run under a tree. His little boy was carry- 
ing his bundle, haversack and canteen ; I shot him in the side. The 
reason I know it, was that we passed by him as he lay under a per- 
simmon tree. The little boy was crying and leaving him there to 
die. On this march we had quite a sharp little fight at Bristoe Sta- 
tion, we being still the rear guard. We gave them a warm reception. 
That is the place where Sergeant Barr lost his arm. We were 
formed along the fill of the railroad. There was a thicket of woods 
in front of us out of which came a rebel officer and his staff, all on 
horseback. They were taking in the situation ; Colonel Fairlamb 
was close by and also General Caldwell. The Colonel was looking 
tlirough his field glass. I was shooting at the rebel officer. I shot 
four or five times before I hit him. He fell to the ground. "There," 
says the Colonel, "you hit him that time." We had quite an exciting 
time there for a while but at last the shades of night came on and 
I was detailed for picket. I was on post all night witliout a relief. 
We continued to retreat, until we crossed what I was told was Bull 
Run. We then retraced our steps, passing over very nearly the same 
ground. 

Toward the close of the season we came near the Rapidan and 
put up for the winter. We had our usual camp life, doing jjolice 
duty, enjoying the comforts of camp and picketing the Rapidan 
River. At one time I was on picket on the bank of the river, my 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 607 

beat being like a rainboAV — low in the center and high at each end. 
At the left the river made a little curve and from that direction there 
would come occasionally a stray shot but I could not find out where 
the picket from the other side fired from until evening. After I 
was relieved, I was sitting back a little ways, when the guard called 
me. I gTabbed my gim quickly to see what was wrong. There was 
a large snapping turtle came up out of the river. We tied it in a 
gnm blanket and, while standing there, looking to our front, I saw a 
light. I drew my rifle quickly to my face, when it went out. I 
saw another light and shot at it. It was from the rebel who was 
shooting at me during the day. I sho't him in the head. There was 
a tree blown out of root and he was concealed behind it. 

We took the turtle to camp next day and had turtle soup. The 
boys who enjoyed that dish are no more. Well the story about the 
man I shot. He was an old man, about sixty years of age, a great 
smoker. The next morning the rebels stepped out in front, stuck the 
butts of their guns up' — that meant no firing at each other. They 
wanted to exchange tobacco for coffee. I made it suit to pass the 
place where I shot the old man the night before. He had been light- 
ing his pipe. The first match went out. He lit the second one 
and that gave me a good mark. Coming back from exchanging 
coffee for tobacco, I passed this place. He had a poke of tobacco 
tied to his shirt as large as a small salt sack and a nice meerschaum 
pipe. I took the pipe and thought I would keep it and send it home 
for a relic but my knapsack took legs and walked away one night and 
with it the pipe disappeared. 

When spring opened, we crossed the Rapidan and marched over 
the Chancellorsville battlefield, thinking of the poor boys who were 
lying there in the woods. I was in the wagon guard at this place. 
Hiram Clapp, a Company H man, and I were on guard. After we 
were relieved, we took a walk in the woods, where he had been en- 
gaged the year before. When we came back, the rebel cavalry made 
a dash on our wagon train but were driven back with a few killed. 
We captured some prisoners. We left the train to join our Regiment 
engaged in the Wilderness. 

I came out all right on the skirmish line at Spotsylvania. That 



608 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

was a terrible night — raining, dark and a very heavy fog the next 
morning. We surprised the enemy in the charge. We made and 
captured a large number of prisoners and many pieces of artillery. 
Cold Harbor was to me a horrible place). I was on picket that 
morning. Orders were given to move forward to tlie slope of the 
hill and lie do\\ai. We lay there till dusk. The rebels sent out a 
new line or a regiment. They met us there. We had quite a time, 
still holding our ground. There was a rebel who had a little flag 
with a sharp spear on it came at me, trying to prod me with it I 
shot and wounded him. It was dark and I took the flag, set my 
foot on the staff, tore the flag off and was just about sticking it 
in my bosom, when I was shot down by a rebel. He shot me in the 
head. I fell and lay on the battlefield (that night and two days and 
nights following, without anything to eat or drink. When I came 
to my senses, I had no shoes, no blousei, my pockets were turned 
wrong side out, $6.00 in greenbacks, and $10.00 in rebel money 
gone. I was very weak after the loss of so much blood. My hair was 
full of blood dried like paint and my wound full of maggots. I had 
no use of my left arm nor my left leg, but I managed to crawl back 
tc our pickets and was taken back to the Third Brigade, from 
there to the field hospital and thence to Findley Hospital at Wash- 
ington in the Fourth Ward. This ended my military service with my 
company and Regiment. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 609 



SERGT. JAMES KNOX SAYS : 

"I helped to carry Colonel Beaver from the field at Chancellors- 
ville. We carried him first by the arms and legs, then in a blanket, 
and finally got a stretcher. 

On the march after Gettysburg I was taken sick and left on the 
roadside to die, but a surgeon of the Second Division happened 
along and gave me some medicine, and next day I rode in the 
ambulance, and a few days later I was on picket, 

I was wounded at Po River May 10th and walked to Fredericks- 
burg at night and lay in the Court House. Next morning we were 
taken in wagons to Acquia Creek and sent by boat to Washington. 
Erom there at Siatterlee Hospital, Philadelphia, and rejoined the 
Regiment March 2, 1865, and took part in action at Hatcher's Run, 
where one hundred of us were sent to the right of the line, crossed 
the run and drove the enemy out of his work. We lay in the 
woods all night without fire, and rejoined the Brigade at Adams 
I'arm on the morning of the 31st. 

At Sutherland Station, April 2d, a detachment of one hundred 
under Captain Sutton or C^aptain Harper was sent to the right. 
We drove the enemy and captured seven hundred prisoners, two 
guns and two flags. Next evening we helped take a wagon train. 
Being detailed to forage for the Division, at Farmville, we found 
the bridge on fire, but we went through the fire and got into the 
town. We got some cattle, sheep and hogs, and drove them across 
the river. They were afterward driven back and after the sur- 
render given to the southern soldiers." 



610 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

SKETCH OF LIEUT. W. H. BIBLE. 

By kis son, Frank E. Bible, Esq. 

Lieut. Wm. H, Bible was the oldest son of Daniel and Harriet 
Passmore Bible, and was born in Potter Township, Centre County, 
July 10, 1827. 

Like hundreds of other families, his was found on both sides 
of the late War, Col. John Bible, of Chaittanooga, Tennessee, a scion 
of the Virginia branch, being found battling against the old flag, 
while the subject of our sketch, with his brother, Daniel P., Adjutant 
of the 51st Pennsylvania Volunteer Eegimenit, and his cousin, Wil- 
liam Bible, of the 148th, were found in the Union ranks. Of the 
three members of his family in the late War two — Lieut. Wm. H. 
and William, his cousin, lost their lives at Chancellorsville, the latter 
being mortally wounded, the former killed outright and his body 
never recovered. 

Of the military career of Lieutenant Bible and the men who 
perished at Chancellorsville, little can be said beyond the perform- 
ance of the routine of duty incident to army life and gallant conduct 
in their first and last fight. Killed "in the bud." Just a memory 
for the gallant color company of the Regiment in its marches and 
battles leading on to the great end — the preservation of the L^nion. 

In the old days, immediately preceding the War for the Union 
the martial spirit of Centre County's sons was kept alive by various 
military organizations. To the Bellefonte Dragoons, with their 
helmets and yellow caterpillar decoration (hardly a plume) Lieuten- 
ant Bible belonged. It was a eavalry company. 

At and before the breaking out of tlie Rebellion Lieutenant 
Bible was engaged with his brother-in-law, David Edmiston, in the 
construction of the Tyrone and Clearfield Railroad. He resided at 
Osceola as did his father's family. The writer recalls an informal 
family council after the fall of iSumter. The question of who should 
go was talked o^•er. Three sons there were in Daniel Bible's family 
— William, the oldest, Daniel P. and George W. "Some one must 
go," said the head of the family. "Yes, father," said his wife. 



THE I48TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 611 

"Will is miarried and has a little family, George is crippled in the 
hands and they would not take him. There is no one but Daniel." 

Daniel joined the 51st Regiment and was in the North Carolina 
campaign, taking part in the battles of Roanoke, Newbern, etc. 

William was ever restless 'after Daniel had enlisted, and while 
his business interests were great he found time to study military tac- 
tics and was constantly engaged in patriotic works, drilling the young 
men of the neighborhood and urging their enlistment. The family 
realized that he could not bei keipt at home and as the dark days grew 
darker he made his arrangements for enlisting. Some^ time after his 
youngest child was born and mother and ba'b© were doing nicely, he 
said on one of our drives, "It is settled — ^we will go to War." 

Things looked blue for the old flag and a sense of duty to the 
country appealed to men of Lieutenant Bible's age in all walks of 
life in the ISTorth. It was a matter of calmly and deliberately offering 
a life if need be to preserve intact what our ancestors had struggled 
so long and valiantly to accomplish. The deliberation and calmness 
v.'ith which he went about the matter was remarkable, for he was 
a man of quick impulses and rather fiery temper. One of his old 
employes on the railroad, "Bart" Maguire, whom he used to dis- 
charge for being drunk and then hire over again, called him a "fire 
ball." Big of body, heart and mind, tender as a woman and without 
fear, he was but a type of the men whom Centre County had sent 
forth to every War in her history. No eulogy can be passed on an 
ofiicer of the Regiment which will not apply to the men in the ranks. 
Often in his letters to his wife does he refer to the loyalty of his 
men to their officers and to duty. 

September 9, 1862, he writes from Camp Curtin : 

"O'ur company has the honor of being the color company, and 
its letter will be C. I think we will leave tomorrow for Hagerstown." 

From camp near Phoenix, October 17, 1862, hie writes: 

"If you haven't sent the socks don't send them for I have plenty 
of everything except money." 



612 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

November 7, 1862 : 

"It has been snowing all day and we have nothing but our tents 
for shelter; are just beginning to experience the realities of War ; am 
writing this in my tent with a blanket aibout me." 

Camp Forster, November 16, 1862: 

"Had some lady visitors from Bellefonte, Mrs. James Burn- 
side and Miss Mary Wilson. This was a red letter day in the life of 
the 148th — visitors, and of the fair sex at that, besides tlie presenta- 
tion of colors. Had a flag presentation and the gentleman who pre- 
sented it said that he 'had presented twenty-seven flags to Pennsyl- 
vania regiments and that the 148th was the best drilled Regiment 
he had seen.' That speaks well for the 148th." 

Forty-two years after this event a prominent officer in the late 
War, and one who was qualified to judge, made almost the same re- 
mark, and 'attributed its excellence as a regiment to its Colonel, who 
was a past master of discipline, and the fact that the Regiment wa& 
practically made up of picked men. 

Camp near Fredericksburg, December 21, 1862: 

"We left Washington on the 11th inst. and marched through to 
this place on Saturday of the fight. We could hear the battle all day 
Saturday and Sunday. It has been a fearful slaughter and we have 
gained nothing as yet but hope for the better. * * * We can see 
the rebel camp fires on the opposite side of the river, and can see 
them marching through Fredericksburg during the day. Saw Wil- 
liam Dolph, Mike Connors and lots of the boys. Thomas Maguire was 
wounded in the last battle but will get well. It is very cold and we 
have no tents as yet. Are going to build winter huts." 

The names mentioned in this -letter are men from Clearfield 
County, I think. 

Hancock's Division, Sumner's Corps, December 19, 1862: 

"After a long march from Washington we arrived in front of 
Fredericksburg. Just came up after the battle. They are still bury- 
ing the dead. We got the worst of the fight. Captain Blair was in 
the fight; didn't get hurt and only had four men wounded. No pay 
yet. Send me some stamps. 

"Don't be uneasy about me for I have laid out nine nights with- 
out a tent and got along well." 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 615 

Camp near Frederieksbnrg, January 11, 1863: 
"* * * "VVe are drilling hard every day. Was out on picket 
two days and nights with thirty men. The rebels are on the other 
side of the river. They occasionally call over to our pickets and ask 
them when they are coming to Frederioksburg. If it is an old soldier 
he will say, 'We are coming around by Antietam or South Moun- 
tain.' * * * Send me some socks." * * * 

Camp near Falmouth, February 1, 1863: 

"It is Sunday night and raining. I am in my little cabin snug, 
dry and well. Am almost ashamed to tell you how much I weigh 
with only my blouse on — 194 pounds — and if nothing happens I 
think I will reach 200 by the first of April. But when spring comes 
with hard marching then I look for rough times and I will lose some 
flesh. The only hard labor we have to perform is picket duty, and 
that without fire, no matter what the weather may be." 

Camp near Fredericksburg, January 10, 1863: 

"We are now in winter quarters. Lieutenant Stevenson and I 
have built a comfortable cabin. Was on picket duty last night. Saw 
lots of rebs. Did not talk to them nor allow my men to talk to them. 
They would call over and ask the boys when they were coming to 
Fredericksburg again. We have orders not to hold conversation with 
them and obey orders." 

Camp near Falmouth, February 10, 1863: 

"Came in off picket yesterday. Saw lots of rebels. Weather just 
like spring. * * * Would like to come home on a furlough and 
think it likely I may get one in the spring. From present appear- 
ances I think there will be a move soon, perhaps before this reaches 
you. I haven't the least idea of resigning. When I come home I 
want to come honorably, so that it will be a credit to my children, 
and if never I shall never bring disgrace upon them." 

The reference in this letter to resigning was brought about by 
the youthful thoughtlessness of the writer in asking him to resign. 
In another letter he says, "I can not resign with honor and my boy 
does not want me to cooue home any other way." There were no fur- 
ther requests for a resignation — indeed he refers to resignations in 
very uncomplimentary terms. 

Camp near Falmouth, February 27, 1863: 

"Lieutenant Colonel McFarlane is at home with the fever. He 
left camp, sick. He is a noble little man and I would be very sorry 
to hear of his death. Lieutenant Stevenson went home sick and has 



614 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

not returned. Hope he will soon get around. Would like to get 
home on furlough for ten days, but there is nothing certain about 
that." 

Camp near Falmouth, March 10, 1863: 

* * * "We just got orders to hold ourselves in readiness to 
march at an hour's notice. I shall not get home for some time. 
Tell father to still battle for the old Union. The cause is gaining 
and it is just." 

Camp near Falmouth, March 20, 1863: 

* * * "The Irish Brigade lies alongside of us and on the 
I7th they had a series of games^ — a steeple chase. It was very fine. 
All the Generals of the Army of the Potomac were present. Only 
one man was killed and that occurred in the morning. At two 
o'clock our men on the right got into a fight. General Meagher, of 
the Irish Brigade, rode among the men and said that the enemy had 
crossed the river and that we would have to fight. Up went the hats 
with a hearty cheer. We were ready, but the fight was short and 
soon over. We captured about two hundred. They look pretty hard 
— all kinds of clothing on them. I was on picket last night and had 
to walk continually to keep from freezing. * * * It is a pretty 
hard life, but nevertheless I am willing to stand it for my countr;v. 
Just a note to Franky : I am glad you are learning to write so 
well. Write me soon and a good letter so that I can show it to Doc 
Potter." 

Camp near Falmouth, March 27, 1863: 

* * * "Dr. Geo. L. Potter was with me all afternoon yes- 
terday. He and Major Fairlamb are the same old fellows of yore." 

It is a source of satisfaction and pleasure in reading over these 
old War time letters to note the kindly feeling with which he speaks 
of his fellow officers and men from the Colonel do^^^l. 

, The picture referred to was a tin type. It was a full length 
picture, the background representing a camp scene. The picture in 
this History is from an enlarged bust taken from the original. 

Camp near Falmouth, April 17, 1863: 

* * * "I send you my picture. It is not good, all say, but 
it is the best they can do here. * * * We have marching orders 
and eight days' rations." 

This was his last letter, at least the last received. Sixteen days 
after came Chanoellorsville. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIA VOLUNTEERS 615 



SKETCH OF LIEUTENAN^T STEVEXSOK 

Lieutenant Francis Stevenson was born in Grand Isle County, 
Vermont, December 27, 1829, of Irish descent, and with his father'^s 
family came to Centre County in the 50's. For two years following 
1857 he was in the employ of the United States Government in 
charge of cattle at frontier posts and at the close of his service he 
rode home to Buffalo Run on horseback. 

On his return to Centre County he joined one of the several 
military companies, possibly that at Stormstown. 

When the 148th was being raised Captain Forster and Lieu- 
tenant Bible were engaged in enlisting men for what afterwards be- 
came C Company. They went to Stevenson's home on Buffalo Run 
one Sunday morning before daylight and he agreed to help raise the 
company. Stevenson's experience evidently suggested him as avail- 
able material for an officer in the company. On its organization he 
was elected Second Lieutenant and commissioned by Governor 
Curtin. 

He was a man of sunny disposition and undoubted courage and 
is highly spoken of by those who knew him at home and in the Army. 

He was attacked with fever and sent home in the winter of 
1863, some time in January and got back to his Regiment, not fully 
recovered, a few days before the Army began to move in the spring. 
He was killed at Ohancellorsville. 



THE STORY OF COMPANY D. 



PART I. 

By Lieut. William Geinmill. 

Company D was made up of men from Aaronsburg in the east- 
ern, and from Pine Grove in the western part of the County. The 
way in which these extremes came together was in this wise. In 
August, 1862, great effort was made to fill Centre County's quota of 
men without resort to the draft. Meetings were held in many parts 
of the County to stimulate volunteering. Andrew Musser, then a 
student of the Theological Seminary, Grettysburg, Pennsylvania, had 
been authorized by Governor Curtin to raise a company. He was 
enthusiastically assisted in recruiting by the Rev. L. C. Edmonds, 
then pastor of the Reformed Church, Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania. 
They held a meeting in Aaronsburg on the evening of August 19, 
1862, at which a number of men were enlisted. They quickly raised 
a considerable body of men but not enough to constitute a company. 
There was considerable competition between recruiting parties and 
lie soon saw that it was not possible to fill up his company in that 
locality. 

Musser had been a student at Pine Grove Academy some time 
before and was held in high esteem by principal and students. In 
the Pine Grove School, at this time, there was a goodly number of 
young men fit for military duty. This was known to Musser and 
in his extremity he turned to Pine Grove. He sent word of his pur- 
pose and set Thursday evening, August 21st, as the time of his com- 
ing. The War spirit was strong among the students. Some had 
already gone out in Company G. The rest were only waiting for 
what they thought the right opportunity for them to enlist. Musser's 
coming, esteemed as he was, gave them their opportimity. A meet- 
ing was held in the afternoon, at which a lawyer, Bush by name, I 
think, sjx)ke. He made a strong appeal and tried to stampede us 
by portraying the terrors of the draft. But he didn't move a man. 
We were waiting for some one els,e. 




©FFlCe/?^ ^ 




THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 617 

The evening of August 21st, after supper, we assembled, as was 
our custom, in front of Swartz's store. Tlie coming meeting was 
our theme. Some one propo;^ed that if Musser would give Pror. 
J. E. Thomas the First Lieutenancy we all go. The banter was at 
once taken up, and one and another said, "If you go I'll go, ''If you 
go I'll go." So hands were clasped and the compact sealed. A 
committee was appointed to set the matter before the Professor. That 
committee consisted of J. J. Fleming and tlie writer. It was short 
notice and he gave no decisive answer, even to the second appeal. The 
meeting was held in the Academy Hall. The students entered, un- 
decided as to what they would do. The Rev. Dr. Moore, of the Pres- 
byterian Church, madei a stirring address. At its close Musser was 
called. He rose and said, "I am not here to make a speech. I am 
here to enlist men for the War," and sat down. The call then was 
for Thomas, who at the time was busy writing. He rose, came to the 
edge of the platform, paper in hand and waving it said, "It is a time 
for action, not words. Young gentlemen, you have challenged me. 
Come on." Instantly there was an uprising and a rush for the plat- 
form and a score or more of his students and many men of the town 
and vicinity enrolled themselves. The day following other names 
were added to the list. We separated to arrange our affairs at our 
homes and met again in Pine Grove Wednesday, August 27th, and 
were taken to Centre Hall where we met the men from Aaronsburg. 
Here we met with some difficulty in completing our organization. 
Quartermaster S. D. Musser tells what that difficulty was and how 
it was overcome. (Sec the Quartermaster's Story, page 282. — 
Editor.) 

With the enrollment of S. D, Musser and those with him, the 
Company had its full complement of men, and we organized with 
Andrew Musser, Captain ; John E. Thomas, First Lieutenant, 
and L. C. Edmonds, Second Lieutenant, and on Thursday, August 
28, 1862, were mustered into- the service of the United States at 
Centre Hall, Centre County. Late in the afternoon of the same day 
we were on our way to Harrisburg going over the Seven Mountains 
to Lewis town. 



618 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Many touching scemes and incidents occurred among the boys 
when bidding farewell to their friends. Such scenes were doubtless 
then very common all over our land. I was from home and n 
comparative stranger, and after a quiet good-bye to my few friends 
got into S. D. Musser's bugg}' and from that vantage ground took 
a grim sur^^ey of the scenes taking place about me, feeling thankful 
the while that my friends were far away. The parting scenes were 
in most cases very aifecting. But it is said not to be far from the 
sublime to the ridiculous, and I recall, at this late day, incidents 
that move to laughter rather than to tears. 

The meetings held throughout the county awoke the spirit of 
patriotism and roused the loyal people to a sense of their country's 
need. The more intelligent and thoughtful recognized the crisis ot 
the times in which they lived, and the sacrifice demanded of them, 
and under the pressure of the Nation's need, they yielded, ofttimes a 
reluctant assent, to those in their own homes, who felt the call was 
to them. But there were many who did not see this need, or seeing 
had no sympathy with it, and ofttimes hindered or opposed those 
anxious tO' obey the call. Now, when everyone has a kind word foi 
the old soldier and everybody believes that it was a good thing foi 
the country and humanity that the Union was preserv^ed it is difficult 
to realize the bitter opposition to the cause of the Union which pre- 
vailed in many localities. Those who actively sought to promote en- 
listments soon came in touch with it. The Rev. L. C. Edmonds tells 
of his experience, when engaged in recruiting in his home locality. 
One of his parishioners was heard to say, "Mer sut den Schwartz 
T'opublikaner uf dor strose um schiese." (Some one ought to shoot 
down this black Republican upon our street.) Several women whose 
friends had enlisted, with great fervor expressed the wish that the 
first bullet of the foe would hit Edmonds. But it was when, as 
Lieutenant of Company D, clothed in the Army blue, he returned 
home from Camp Curtin, to arrange his business affairs and preach 
his farewell sermon to his people, that he roused to fever heat the 
hostile sentiment of the community. The thought of his going into 
the pulpit in uniform to preach was more than they could endure. 
A committee of the vestry was sent to warn him not to venture into 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 619 

the churcli in military garb, and an elder, a good friend of his plead 
with him not to make the attempt. He told them he oould not lay 
off his uniform and on Sabbath morning he made his way through 
an excited crowd and preached his farewell sermon. For this he 
received the compliments of loyal men and women and the curses of 
those whose sympathies were with the other side. The church 
au;thorities put on record a resolution declaring that the good brother 
should never again be allowed to preach in that church. But the 
past has long been forgotten and he has frequently preached there 
since. 

We reached Harrisburg the afternoon of Friday, August 29th, 
and were taken out to Camp Cuntin. Here we were furnished tents, 
cooking utensils and rations. Some of the Company G boys came to> 
our aid and helped us pitch our tents. They had been in camp a 
couple of weeks. They were already veterans. They could pitch 
their tents, cook their grub, get out of camp without a pass and 
back again Avithout falling into the hands of the guards. They gave 
generous help in all these lines to the ne*w comers. We soon learned 
to prepare our meals, make our beds and get to town and back again. 
We had drill, did guard duty now and then under very lax discipline. 

Our first Sabbath in camp was unlike any Sabbath some of us 
had ever seen. In the evening Lieutenant Edmonds preached, hav- 
ing a store box for a platform and C. F. Speaker and John Rote to 
"hold the lights. 

Tuesday, September 2d, we received our uniforms and sent 
our civilian clothing home. The unifomis made a great change 
in the appearance of the men and marked so plainly the great change 
which had taken place in our lives. 

On the 8th we received our arms and were organized into a 
regiment and numbered 148 and were designated as Company D 
with James A. Beaver, of the 45th Pennsylvania Volunters, as our 
Colonel. Our play at Camp Curtin was over and we were about to 
enter into real service. 

On the night of September 9th we left Harrisburg in box cars 
for Cockeysville, Maryland. It was a moonlight night. Weird 
shadows and strange, fantastic shapes were seen as we sped on our 



620 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

way, fancy free, through light and shadows, among the mountains. 
We were going out of Pennsylvania. We felt we were going from 
liome to enter upon a new, strange life, so full of peril. It was a fit 
occasion to stir solemn thoughts in solder minds as we looked to the 
future and wondered what it had in store for us. In the early morn- 
ing we reached our destination. Leaving the cars, we marched down 
to the Turnpike, over the bridge and filed into the meadow on the 
right. Here we stacked arms and had our breakfast of hard tack and 
coffee. We were afterwards marched up the grove beyond the rail- 
road station, where our permanent camp was located. 

The day after reaching Cookeysville considerable excitement 
was occasioned by the report that there was rebel cavalry in the neigh- 
borhood. Scouting parties were sent out, and the roads for some dis- 
tance from our camp were picketed. We were out over Saturday 
night and got back to camp some time during the forenoon. I well 
remember the good breakfast a few of us got after being relieved 
Sunday morning at a near-by Quaker home. 

We found no cavalry but we got a little experience. We had a 
fine location for a camp and every care was taken to keep it in a 
healthful condition. O'ur principal business here was to guard the 
railroad and especially the bridges. To do this to the best advantage 
the Regiment was divided and some companies were sent north where 
two camps were formed, and one company. A, was sent south to 
Lutherville, while Companies F, D, I and K occupied the headquar- 
ters camp at Cockeysville. 

We lost no time in getting down to real solid work. Here we 
were set to learn the duties of the soldier, and how to perform them 
in a soldierly way ; to form proper habits of camp life, and to care 
for camp and quarters. We had to learu how to care for our arms 
and equi]>ment and it was no light task. There were our brass 
shoulder ]>ieces — scales they called them — and all those other brasse^ 
we so dutifully polished, on belt and cartridge box, letters and figures 
and buttons on coat and blouse and cap, with gun and bayonet, all 
to be kept bright in rain or shine, in mud or dust, in wet or dry. 
There was also the care of our clothing, cleanliness of person, with 
proper personal appearance as military order and proper self-respe-ct 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 621 

required. It was no trifling' matter, in all kinds of weather, with 
only the aids the knapsack could furnish, to keep one's self in sol- 
dierly trim, or to meet the demands of tlie standard set for ns, and 
those who did were worthy of high approval. The proper care of 
person, of clothing, and of equipment was eS'Sential, not only to the 
proper appearing of the soldier, but also to his real efficiency; 
and it was, with us, one of the first lessons the raw recruit had 
to learn. Some did not learn it easily or readily, but on inspec- 
tion days, when the lynx-eyed ins/pector had his suspicions aroused, 
he would modestly open coat and shirt collar and examine neck and 
ears and perhaips order a detail to scrub the delinquent. Then it 
began to be thoug'ht worth while to make the special effort needed to 
pass a creditable inspection. To' our credit be it said we had few 
such, but we had some, and they too in time learned how to do it. 
It will be remembered that, in the later history of the Regiment, 
when in winter quarters, there were contests in which the prize ol 
a furlough was offered to the most cleanly and soldierly appearing 
men, and that several representatives of Company D carried off the 
prize, men like Lansberry and Seal, true soldiers and the pride of 
their officers. 

Another matter that called for thought in all volunteer organi- 
zatiions was the relation of officers and men. Many of the officers had 
been the chums and familiar friends of men in the ranks, Now they 
were lifted above them and within certain limits had authority abso- 
lute over them. How to adjust ourselves to these new relations was 
a problem at first not easily solved. We had to learn to show regard 
for rank, and recognize the distinctions that must exist for the sake 
of discipline between officers and soldiers. These distinctions were 
based on rank, and it sometimes went against the grain to show to 
some men the courtesy which by reason of rank was their due. We 
soon came to realize that we were out of civil life, that civilian days 
were past, that we were now under military regulation, that the right 
to command belonged to the officer, and it was plainly the duty of 
the good soldier to render instant obedience. Order ^o. 8, Head- 
quarters 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers, Cockeysville, calls 
attention to the courtesy due from a soldier to his su|>erior and also' 



622 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

to the evil of enlisted men lounging about the officers' quarters. The 
common sense requirement was in a very little time recognized and 
observed by all without loss of friendship or resipect, 

A high standard of soldierly discipline was set before us from 
the start, and we were required, under penalty, to measure up to it. 
Our officers had very little advantage over the men. Each class had 
its several duties to learn. By some these duties were eaj^ily and 
quickly mastered, and they soon found in the routine of militai*;y 
life a certain pleasure and satisfaction. With others it was slow, 
hard work to learn the drill, to keep step, to touch elbows, to move 
briskly at the word of command, to master the manual of arms, and 
do each duty and make each movement with the promptness and 
precision that was required. At first many men rebelled in spirit 
at the exacting demands, deeming them unreasonable and tyrannical. 
When we first began battalion drill and were faced about and men 
trod on each others heels, or barked each others shins, and received h 
sliai']> rejH'imand for slowness or native awkwardness, fliey were 
smothered threats and curses and more than once some overwrought 
and exasperated soul made threat of awful vengeance when the favored 
opportunity should come. After we had learned our drill and were 
able to go through our manoeuvres to the satisfaction of our Colonel 
and our own comfort and credit, these same men often times saw and 
felt and acknowledged the benefit of the drill and discipline of which 
they at first so bitterly complained. 

Our moral and spiritual welfare was not neglected. Our com- 
pany officers were all men of strict religious character, men who tried 
to live their religion. We had our Chaplain with us from the start 
and he stood by the boys and was a help to many. In all his efforts 
among us, he was well supported by our Colonel, who set us a good 
example in matters moral and religious. There was a large propor- 
lion of religions men in the coiiijiaiiy, and the greater number of 
those who made no profession were yet men of firm religious convic- 
tions. I know of one prayer meeting that was held in some of the 
quarters of the company as long as there was left the two or three, 
of like mind to meet together. But we had all sorts, religious and 
otherwise. One of our boys, who did not see the profit of religious 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 623 

restraint, after the battle of Cliancellorsville, expressed his view of 
religion as being, no good, because a group of boys in the company, 
Avho kept up a prayer meeting, were all among the killed and 
wounded, not a man of them had escarped. Taking their experience 
as a justification of his view he said, "Just look at them religious 
fellers, every one of them got hit." 

Profanity and drunkenness were outlawed, and among the boys 
there were not many infractions of proper conduct. There were 
temptations many, ajs always and everywhere, and many fell under 
their power, and were harmed by them. But for a body of men gath- 
ered as we were, away from the restraints of home and society, ex- 
posed to all the vices of army life, the character of the company for 
sobriety and morality would rank high and stand fair when compared 
with that of any other company. 

While at Cockeysville we had no idle time. With picket and 
guard duty, guard mount and drill and dress parade, the days passed 
swiftly by. There were special days as when the companies were 
brought together at Cockeysville, or one of the other camps for 
battalion drill. During these months we were made familiar with 
all the duties of the soldier in camp and on outpost. We had ac- 
quired a soldierly bearing and formed soldierly habits. We were 
now to exercise ourselves in another line of military duty. Orders 
came for us to join the Army of the Potomac. The camp at Cockeys- 
ville had moved into barracks a few days 'before the order came. 
The order to get out of the barracks came as a glad relief to some 
of us. 

Some of thg boys determined to celebrate our departure, which 
they did with a great feast the nigiit before. Requisition was made 
upon the community round about for all needed supplies and it is 
needless to say that there was an abundance. I am told that, wheii 
we were in the cars amd ready to start, the railroad watchman wheii 
bidding some of the boys good-bye said that "If they killed as many 
rebs as they had chickens at Cockeysville our going! south would be 
a calamity to rebeldom." It is safe to say that we were not a set of 
plunderers, were not allowed to be, but on the) last night of our stay 
there, many unusual liberties were taken. 



624 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

We landed at Cockey&ville with our full complement of men, 
one hundred and one. They were for the most part men in the 
first vigor of a healthy, hearty manhood, mature enough to adapt 
themselves to their new life with consideration and judgment. 
•Eleven were eighteen years old, thirteen were nineteen years, five 
•were twenty, nine were twenty-one years, thirteen were twenty-two 
years, ten were twenty-three, twenty were between twenty-four and 
twenty-eight years of age, thirteen between thirty and forty and four 
were over forty. The oldest men of our number were David Acher and 
•Abram Hull, both forty-two. We had some magnificent specimens 
of young manhood. There was I). F. Fortney, clean limbed, of 
strong, vigorous and well knit frame. When asked by Doctor Pottei, 
our examining surgeon, at Centre Hall, "How old are you V replied 
"Nineteen," the Doctor said be could hardly believe a man could 
grow to such proportions in nineteen years. 

We had a healthful camp, our duties were not burdensome, we 
did not have any considerable exposure, we had a regular supply ot 
provisions, and comfortable tents in which to rest and sleep, and yet 
it was but a few weeks until we had a considerable number on the 
sick list. The illness was in most cases not of a serious nature, and 
recovery speedily attained. Eighteen were reported sick for the 
month of October and nineteen for November. On November lltb 
we had our* first loss by death, Wm. F. Gable, who died in the hos- 
pital at Cockeysville and Sergt.. H. H. Weaver was sent home with 
tlio body. Emanuel .M. Lytzel died in hospital while the Regi- 
ment was on its way to join the Army of the Potomac. The sick, 
five in number, were sent to hospital at York, Pennsylvania, one ot 
whom died there ; three were discharged and but one rejoined the 
company. 

T'uesday, December 9th, we left Cockeysville for Baltimore, 
were taken to the Union Relief where we had supper and quarters 
for the night. The afternoon of the 10th we took train for Wash- 
ington, where we arrived before daylight. We were taken to the 
Soldiers' Rest, and had something to eat, and in the afternoon took 
up our line of march, our objective being Liverpool Point, Maryland. 
After a march of a few miles we camped near Fort Greble. This 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 625 

camp is raennorable as the place where we threw away our scaler, 
ridding ourselves of what we cooisidered useless trumpery, and we 
were never after required to replace them. 

Fridaymorningwe were early on theway plodding along through 
the mud and water. This was our first full day's march. How it 
wearied us andl how welcome the order "Halt" sounded in our ears. 
We were tired and sore that night. We were ahead of our provision 
train and had to go supperless to bed. In the morning we had 
nothing but coffee for breakfast. We learned from this experience 
the need of a reserve supply of provisiotns. We were never after so 
badly caught, even when on longer marches. We waited till after- 
noon for the wagons to come up. The sutler's stores were cleaned 
out and the country round about our camp scoured for food. We 
called this "Camp Starvation." The privation was slight and in our 
later experiences would have been thought very little of, but then 
we made the most of it. There was some trouble in Compan' T) 
headquarters about a ham, and some parties grew so warm over it 
that they were scarce restrained from blows. After we took up our 
line of march some one every now and then would sing out, "Who 
stole the ham ?" 

We held on our way till after dark to make up time. We were out 
again early Sunday morning and pushed on briskly till about 4 :00 
p. M., when we went into camp. We made Liverpool Point the after- 
noon of the next day. The next morning we took boat for Acquia 
Creek, and then on to join the Army before Fredericksburg. 

On our way, as we passed the various camps, men coming out 
and looking at our full ranks would ask, "What brigade is that?" 
Others as we were passing by called out, "You ought to have been 
here a couple of days ago." Fredericksburg had been fought but a 
few days before. Some days passed before we were permanently 
located. In the meantime we had inspections and reviews. At 
general inspection December 22d, we first saw General Hancock, and 
at review on the 24th we saw Generals Burnside and Sumner. The 
Division did not seem enthusiastic at the sight of Burnside. When 
he passed our line our 'Colonel called for a cheer and we gave it with 
a will. 



626 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

We finally became part of the First Brigade, First Division, 
Second Army Corps. Drill and building quarters were now the 
order of the day. Our camp was regularly laid out ; instructions 
were given as to the form and size of our quarters ; they were built 
of logs up to the square, and then covered with canvas and arranged 
so as to be. opened up, to thoroughly air the interior. Provision was 
made for wide, commodious chimneys, and while wood lasted we 
could easily keep comfortable in all kinds of weather. The interioi 
arrangements were left to our own notions of convenience. Twelve 
men were to occupy each building. This required a doubling up of 
messes that had lived separately in close fellowship for months past. 
We did not look upon the arrangement with favor, but accepted it as a 
military necessity. The doubling up process was accomplished, the 
circle of closer and more intimate friendships extended, and we lived 
happily and comfortably through the winter. The camp completed, 
was named for our General, Camp Flancock. Our time was now 
devoted to the routine duties of a soldier's life, such as camp guard 
and picket duty, drills by squad, by company and battalion, and dress 
parade. Only the weather and Sundays stayed the drill. We didn't 
play at soldiering; we worked at it; it was our business. 0*ur offi- 
cers were constant and painstaking in the effort to make the company 
an efficient instrument for service, wortiiy of its place in the Regi- 
ment. In all this effort we were made to work up to the highest 
ideal. When, as a Regiment, we joined the Army of the Potomac 
and found our place in brigade and division we did not copy after 
the older regiments about us. Many of these were slack in discipline, 
neglectful of personal appearance, and unsoldierly in manner and 
bearing. We had our own standard. We were a law unto ourselves, 
and the demand upon us was as rigid and exacting as ever, requii* 
ing cleanliness of person and clothing, burnished arms and equip- 
ment, and on state occasions, white gbn-cs and paper collars. For 
this some called us Sunday soldiers, but all the same we were kept 
up to a high ideal in all that pertained to soldierly duty. 

When in cam]> at Cockeysville we had been supplied, for the 
most part with soft bread. When we came into the Army of the 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 627 

Potomac we were supplied with hard tack. The ainoiint of tack 
furnished did not meet the needs of netw men ; we didn't get enoiigh 
to eat. Onr boys were not the kind to go hungry, if there was food 
anywhere to be had. If it was not furnished in sufficient quantity 
they would try to help themselves. The Irish Brigade was in camp 
near us. It was reported to have a well stored commissary. It was 
also rumored, that mem'bers of the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers 
quietly made raids on that commissary and. carried off boxes of 
crackers, barrels of flour, syrup, sugar and other things that gave a 
pleasing variety to army fare. I recall one morning during the 
period of scarcity that when I woke some of my mess were at the 
fire-place toasting and eating hard, tack and near by was a full box 
newly opened. My inquiry was, ''Where did that come from ?" The 
reply was, "'Take all you want but ask no questions." Complaints 
were said to have been made to our Colonel, who made an investiga- 
tion, but found nothing contraband. But some sa}^ that, while 
he was making search, he was sometimes perilously near to a barrel 
of flour, a camp kettle of syrup or some other article of diet, which 
if found, would have given color to the complaint. But all the same 
those boys reveled in slap-jacks and syrup, and general plenty pre- 
vailed in our camp. When General Hooker succeeded to the com- 
mand of tlie Army we received a very welcome addition of potatoes 
and onions to our ration. The boys blessed Fighting Joe for these. 
And after if at the expected time they were not issued, then yoii 
could hear the wail, "Hooker is superseded ;" but when they were 
again issued, the joyful shout rose, "Hooker is again in command." 

The sameness of our camp life was broken January 20th, by 
orders to be in readiness to move. We didn't move, however, but 
we saw many who did, and we heartily sympathized with them as 
they marched by our camp in a steady rain and through deep mud. 
It was the noted Burnside Mud March, rebniary 8th was a notable 
day in our calendar, the day on which we exchanged our clumsy guns 
for new Springfield rifles. We were proud of our new guns, for we 
felt that we could rel_y on them when the time came to use them. 

It was a rule of our camp that details must go and come in 



I 



628 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

strict military order. On the nio-ht of Fcibniarv 21, 1803, there was 
a heavy snowfall, followed by a cold, piercing wind. Onr picket 
detail was not relieved nntil late in the afternoon of the 22d. Their 
haversacks were empty. After ai wearisome march they came strag- 
gling into camp. At the entrance to the camp stood the Colonel. Our 
disorder and slack discipline was plain, but no notice was taken of 
it, but instead a welcome home, with the comforting assurance that 
there was hot coffee ready for us. 

March 17, 1863, St. Patrick's Day in the morning, was a day 
to be remembered in the Army of the Potomac. The Irish Brigade 
that day furnished entertainment for the Army. There were horse 
races, foot races, sack races and all sorts of fun. Officers and soldiers 
were gathered from all parts of the Army. In the afternoon, while 
some foot races were being run. General Meagher came up on the 
gallop and waving his hand said, "Men, hurry off to your com- 
mands." The men thought at first that he was joking and they 
jeered, but he anxiously exclaimed, ''Men, for God's sake, hurry off 
to your commands." Some of us thought iit the part of prudence to 
obey, and were off on double quick to our camp. Parts of two com- 
panies were already on the color line, and as fast as- we could, we 
went for our arms, but before the Regiment formed the scare had 
subsided. It was rumored that the rebs were making a demonstra- 
tion a short distance above us. 

One day when in charge of the camp guard. General Hancock 
and an Orderly made the circuit of our camp, coming in by the reai. 
The guard was wide awake and promptly in position to receive him. 
His reception seemed to please him and after a few pleasant words 
he went away in a seemingly good humor. 

There were two Saturdays that stand out clear in memory, 
April 11 and 18, 1803, when blank cartridges were issued and we 
wont out to ])ractice firing. How excited some of the men became. 
The orders would be ready, aim , and before the order fire was given, 
hang would go some fellow's gnin. It took but little imagination to 
make it seem a very real affair, even if the firing was only on one 
side. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 629 

April 14th we were under marching orders, with eight days' 
rations — three days' rations in haversacks. The same day we packed 
onr dress coats and overcoats and all iinnece-ssary impedimenta and 
turned them over to the care of the Quartermaster's department. 

The winter at Camp Hancock, for the first two months or more, 
was in some respects both dull and gloomy. The defeat at Freder- 
icksburg with its attendant slaughter had a. depressing effect upon 
the Army and upon the whole counitry. Those at home opposed to 
the War, wrote to their friends in the Army, and in some cases did 
tbem incalculable harm by injecting doubts into their minds as to 
the righteousness of the Union cause, and of the ability of the Go\ - 
ernment to overpower the Rebellion. Letters and papers came repre- 
senting the country to be in a terrible condition, and all this because 
of the attitude of the Government! in the conduct of the War. Such 
communications were in some cases the moving cause that led to de- 
sertion, while in other cases they led to dissatisfaction with the lite 
and work of the soldier and ^vrought in him so that he lost faith in 
his cause and interest in the service, and when a man has lost these, 
he has lost his efficiency. Discouraging news from home led on to 
homesickness and that made men heartsick and hopeless, and that led 
to the hospital and in some cases to the grave. We had something of 
that in our company that winter, and it didn't do anybody any good. 
We had a great deal of sickness during the winter. There were two 
deathiS in our regimental hospital, Emanuel Fox and Jonathan 
Wolf. Frank G. Mattern was sick, nigh unto death, in the division 
hospital. He recovered but was never able to return to the Regiment. 
We were credited with two cases of desertion and quite a number 
were discharged from the service. So that after various losses we 
reported in April fifty-three men present for duty, eight on extrti 
duty, and ten sick, making an aggregate of seventy-one men. Toward 
spring we began to hearten up as the weather and season began to 
suggest active operations ; a spirit of courage and hopefulness pos- 
sessed us, a feeling quite different from that which we felt several 
months before. 

In the meantime changes had taken place among our commis- 



630 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

sioned officers. Lieutenant Thomas liad resigned in Januarv and re- 
turned home to take up the work of teaching from which he had been 
taken by his boys. Lieutenant Edmonds resigned in February and 
returned home, but later went out as Captain of Company I, lS4th 
Pennsylvania Volunteers and served to the close of the War. These 
were both good, clean men and both had many warm friends in the 
company, who were sorry to see them go from us. First Sergt. I. F. 
Musser was promoted to be First Lieutenant, Sergt. Alfred A. Rhine- 
hart to be Second Lieutenant. John A. Burchfield was made First 
Sergeant Company D. There were promotions in order among the 
Sergeants and Corporals and some new men were promoted to these 
honorable positions. About this time there was something of an epi- 
demic among the non-commissioned officers of the Regiment, so 
much so that some of us thought it would be better to resign our 
honors rather than wait and be stripped of them. But a good friend 
advising, said, "Don't do it but keep your eyes open and mind your 
business," which we tried to do. 

When the weather was fine during March and April we put in 
full time at squad and company drill on our parade grounds or in 
our company street. One pleasant day when Lieutenant Rhinehart 
was putting us through our paces on the parade ground, a group of 
officers were standing off some distance watching our movements. 
When we were dismissed Lieutenant Rhinehart joined the group and 
they complimented him upon the efficiency of his men. They had 
timed our step in our various movements and found it to be the regn 
lation standard. 

Our winter's preparation was now completed. We were no^ 
ready to move. Parts of the Army were already in motion. Early 
or the morning of April 28th we left Camp Hancock in fine spirits 
and in good trim, ready for whatever was in store for us. Lieuten- 
ant Musser was on the sick list and had to be left behind. By easy 
stages we came to the Rappahannock River, crossing at United States 
Ford in the evening. We struck the pontoon bridge, all keeping step 
and by the time the half of us were on it we had it on the swing, and 
General Hancock called to us in language both vigorous and em- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 631 

phatic to break step or we would break the bridge. We got over 
safely and marched on till midnight, when we halted in the vicinity 
of Chancellorsville, the third day from leaving camp. We formed 
line in the woods, stacked arms, and sought rest in sleep. We had 
abundant material ,(dry leaves) to make a good bed. What a good 
night's rest we had. We were now on the battlefield that was to be. 
Our opportunity for efficient training was beyond that of many. 
Seven months of constant application, under the eye of a thorough 
soldier, who was conscientious, persistent and painstaking in the 
performance of duty, and ambitious for the improvement of his 
men, could have but one result^ — a regiment of practiced soldiers to 
whom it had become second nature to move at and according to the 
word of command. That Regiment was now to be tried by the su- 
preme test of battle ; to show in actual conflict the effect of discipline, 
and prove its fitness for the work for which it had been preparing. 
Friday forenoon, May 1st, was spent in the woods, cleaning up 
and resting. The Captain left us that morning sick. Lieutenant 
Rhinehart was now in command of the company. In the afternoon 
we were taken out into the open and stacked arms, waiting for 
orders. Firing began off to our left. As we sat there waiting, listen- 
ing to that firing a horrible feeling came over me. I have no ques- 
tion that others felt it too. I got up and took hold of one of my 
chums and chucked him against his neighbor. At once the company 
was on its feet sparring and the horrid feeling was gone. The call 
came to fall in and we were run out some distance on the road 
toward Fredericksburg and filed into a small clearing ; the Regiment 
formed in two divisions. Our Colonel said, "Boys, they call us Sun- 
day soldiers. Let them see what Sunday soldiers can do. Load." 
I recall a sight of General Hancock in advance and to the left of us, 
by a section of a battery, I supposed feeling for the Johnnies. Here 
we remained for a little while, when we were faced about and rushed 
back to Chancellorsville, where we lay in support of a battery. Here 
we lost our first man, Samuel Holloway, of Company D, killed by 
our own fire. When the firing ceased we were taken back again over 
the same road and filed into the woods on the left, took up a new line 



632 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

and lay here all night on our arais. In the evening we were shelled 
briskly but without any serious result. In the early morning we 
moved out by the left flank and took up a new position near Chan- 
cellorsville. This position we strengthened with a breastworks 
of logs. We remained unmolested until after noon ; being very 
hungry, we obtained permission to make small fires and cook coffee 
and meat. When the cooking was rightly under way our smoke drew 
their fire and they sent a few shells which drove us to cover. But 
we couldn't let our meat and coffee go for a trifle like that, and so 
every now and then a rush would be made to save some overdone 
meat or well cooked tin of coffee. 

Sunday morning the enemy's shot came inside our works. Here 
Charles F. Speaker and Daniel Harter were hit. Speaker had to 
be carried away but Harter remained with the company. 

Early in the morning we were taken out and back on to the roao 
leading to United States Ford, then by the left flank we swept 
across an open space, shells dropping seemingly at our heels, but not 
exploding, and on to the wood where we ran up against the enemy. 
Their first volley went over us. We were ordered to lie down. But 
they soon got our range. They were on our front and right flank and 
had men in tree tops. Their volleys soon laid our boys out. Wm 
Knarr was right in front of me. He said, "I can't stand this," and 
raised himself to fire. Instantly he was struck and fell backward, 
dragged himself out of the line and lay still — dead. Men were hit 
on every hand and our line shattered. The call came, "Close up on tht 
colors." I called "Come, boys" and made a rush for the colors. 
Not more than two or three men followed. Again the call came, 
"Company D, why don't you close up on the colors f After moving 
up near the colors I began firing. Having discharged my gun, with 
ray hand back at my cartridge box, I lost consciousness. When taken 
to the field hospital it was a great surprise to me to see so many of the 
boys there among the wounded. Our total loss in killed and wounded 
was forty-four and is as follows: (See "Casualties.") 

Fifteen were left dead on the field and three died of wounds in 
Potomac Creek Hospital. A few were slightly wounded and these 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 633 

in a couple of months fonnd their way back to the company. After 
Chancellorsville tlie Army crossed back over the river, and onr Regi- 
ment returned to its old camp. What a sad spectacle it must have 
been to those who returned, a little handful of men, eleven all told, 
there were, who answered to roll call in the company street at Camp 
Hancock. Lieutenant Brow^n, of Company 1, was assigned to the 
command of the company. In June Lieutenant Rinehart. was suffi- 
ciently recovered to return and take charge of the company. When he 
returned, he was the sole sunaving commissioned officer of the 
company. The severely wounded were gathered, after the battle, 
in the hospital at Potomac Creek. Those able to go on to Wash- 
ington were sent to the hospital there. Capt. Andrew Musser left 
us at Chancellors ville, sick with fever, and after a brief illness 
died at Potomac Creek Hospital May 14, 1863. He was an earnest, 
conscientious. Christian man, and faithful as an officer in the per- 
formance of his duty. The fate of his company made him heart- 
sick and doubtless had much to do with the shortening of his days. 
Lieut. Israel F. Musser lay sick in the same w^ard and twelve days 
later, May 26th, he too passed aw^^y. Kind and gentle Is. Musser, 
pure and upright in his life, and loyal in his friendships, his memory 
is precious to those who knew him. The rest at Camp Hancock was 
broken by the march of Lee into Pennsjdvania and the rush of our 
m.en to meet him at Gettysburg. In this battle Company D had 
three men wounded, Jacob Reeser, Robert Bullock and John Durst. 
Durst was taken to the hospital at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His 
wound gangrened and he died. Upon the departure of the Army 
for Pennsylvania, the sick and wounded were removed from Potomac- 
Creek Hospital. A goodly number of us were banished to Point 
Lookout, Maryland. I recall Fleming, w^ho in the later history 
of the Regiment was so well known as ''Old Moseby," and who for 
long was Orderly Sergeant of Company D dovra to the close of the 
^^'ar. Henry C. Campbell who though twice severely wounded re- 
turned to the Regiment and was in the ser^ace to the end. There 
was Davidson, Harshberger, Reed, Runkle, Wolf and others whose 
names I do not now recall, who waited here for healing and recovery. 



634 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Company D with its handful of men. shared the fortunes of 
the Regiment in its marches and counter-marches during the summer 
months. In July Lieutenant Rinehart was promoted to be Captain 
of the company, and John A. Burchfield to be First Lieutenant, and 
both were mustered August 27, 1863. During the fall months those 
of the wounded who were able for duty in the field, began to return 
to the companies from the hospitals where they had been cared for. 
In October, Company D had twenty-two present for duty. To these 
were added, October 30th, twenty-seven conscripts, and again, early 
in November, fourteen more conscripts were sent to join us, so that 
the old men were outnumbered by the new. We made a virtue of 
necessity and did our best by our new men. They proved for the 
most part to be good material, and with the help of the old experi- 
enced men soon learned to suit themselves to their new conditions. 
Without time to train them, we started on the Mine Run Expedition. 
It was short and fruitless, but hard enough while it lasted. The 
weather was cold, especially at night, and where we had to lie close 
to the ground we felt its rigor. It will be remembered that on 
Monday morning an assault was to be made on the enemy's works. 
The signal was a camion shot on the right. When it rang out we 
were ready. But suspense grew to be agony as we waited and won- 
dered "why don't they let us go." In due time word came that tlie 
order for the assault was countermanded, and for one, I will say that 
/ was glad. At night we withdrew and began our retreat, in the 
morning crossed the Rapidan and in the evening reached our old 
camp. Tlie next few days were spent in locating a site for our 
winter camp and in building quarters. By Friday, December 11th, 
our company quarters were well under way, and when completed 
we had a fine, well ordered camp. Our opportunities for religious 
and social improvement were bettor than they had been in any of 
our former camps. A snug chapel was built in camp and it became 
a center of the best social life and the best influences that mould 
and shape the lives of men. Here we had religious services, and 
indeed this winter was noted for its special religious interest. Sing- 
ing school was held there also, as well as school for the commissioned 
and non-oommissioned officers of the Reffiment. It is no secret that 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 655 

one evening when the officers' call sounded, not an officer put in an 
appearance; all were busy issuing clothing, deeming that sufficient 
reason for not obeying the call. N'ot so with the Colonel. The duty 
t<) which they w^ere called was for the time paramount to every other. 
They were all put under arrest. The next morning there was not a 
commissioned officer in camp to act as officer of the day. That honor 
then fell upon Orderly Sergt. Luther D. Kurtz, of D Company, who 
was detailed to that duty for the time. 

During this winter there was no relaxation in discipline and drill. 
There was special need in Company D with its great accession of new 
men. The only way to keep men efficient is by exercise ; so for thegood 
of the old men and for the perfecting of the new men we were con- 
stant in squad and company drill. The new men profited greatly by 
the example of the old men who were proficient, and the result was 
that in a couple of months we could go through the manual at the tap 
of the drum and through the evolutions of the company with com- 
mendable precision. We had a little diversion on Saturday, February 
6, 186-1:, when at 6:00 a. m. we fell in and marched off to the Rapi- 
dan which we reached about noon. The Third Division of our Corps 
crossed the river and there was some fighting all afternoon and very 
heavy at dark. The Second Division relieved the Third and before 
morning the Second Division was withdrawn to the north ^side of 
the river. We were there as interested spectators. About dark Sab- 
bath night we started for our old camp which we reached before 
midnight, glad to be home again. On the morning of March 23d 
a deep snow covered the ground. The clouds scattered, the sun shone 
out bright and about noon the snow was in good condition for making 
balls. The boys soon began to make use of it, and then from combats 
among themselves they became engaged with the 5 2d New York. 
Our boys crowded the 52d boys into their own camp, when some of 
their officers took charge of their men, and drove our boys ba<jk. 
Some of our officers went out to the boys and we held the 5 2d outside 
the camp and captured some of their officers. All went good 
naturedly until the snow was gone and some excited men caught up 
sticks and stones, and w^e soon found that a real war was imminent. 



Ik 



656 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

But the officers on both sides were able to restrain the men and put an 
end to the affair. 

March 26th seven new men were added to our number. The 
day following we were transferred to the Fourth Brigade, commanded 
by General Brooke. The last change among the commissioned officers 
of Company D was the resignation of Lieutenant Gemmill, because 
of disability from wounds received in action, and promotion of 
Luther D. Kurtz to be Second Lieutenant. J. J. Fleming w^as made 
Orderly Sergeant. When the spring campaign opened Company D 
had sixty-two men present for duty. The company was as full and 
strong as it had been the year before. 

The campaign of 186-i began for the 148th when it broke camp 
on the night of May 3d. It was about to enter upon a campaign 
and to do work surpassing anything it had yet accomplished. This 
is true of the whole Army. After crossing the river and on the way 
to the Wilderness the Regiment camped on the old Chancellorsville 
battle ground. While here some of the boys placed a new markef 
at the grave of Samuel Holloway. Company D had no losses until 
we reached Po River. Here, after much manoeuvring we crossed 
the river and were again forced back, suffering a loss in Company D 
of three non-commissioned officers and twelve men. Here the color 
guard of the Regiment was about wiped out, as Sergeant Henry and 
all the Corporals were killed, but Lucas of F and Henry C. Camp- 
bell, of D. At Spotsylvania May 12th our company suffered a loss 
of twelve men, among whom were Corporals D. C. Holloway, H. C. 
Campbell, and Allen B. Cross, wounded. May 30th at Totopotomoy 
Creek Sergt. John C. Bathgate and Corp. Charles F. Speaker were 
wounded, making a total loss for the month of May from Company 
L> of twenty-nine men. After constant struggle, marching, throwing 
up breastworks and fighting, the Anny reached Cold Harbor, and 
here on June 3d Company D lost six men. From Cold Harbor the 
Anny was moved to the James, and near Petersburg June 16th, 
in the assault in which the Regiment took part the company lost 
nine men ; and again on the 22'd eleven men were taken prisoners, 
.hily 27th one man was wounded at Deep Bottom. On the 20th of 
August, 1864, Charles A. Ramsay, private of Company D, was pro- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANU VOLUNTEERS 637 

moted to be Sergeant Major of the Regiment. In the struggle to 
get hold of the Weldon Railroad at Reams Station we had one man 
killed and one wounded. The total of losses up to August 25th 
from the crossing of the river in May, was in killed, wounded and 
missing, fifty-eight men. The losses of Company D for the sum- 
mers of I860 and 1861, make a grand total exceeding the whole 
number of men with which we entered the service. When the Army 
invested Petersburg and intrenched, the boys lived in bomb proofs, 
holes dug in the ground and covered with heavy timbers. Firing 
was kept up day and night. Thus the time passed until the closing 
scenes of the War began to take place in the spring of 1865. Grant 
held Lee in firm grip around Richmond. In March began the mo\'e- 
ments which ended the War at Appomattox. Near Petersburg March 
25th we had our last man killed, Henry Conlare, and at Gravelly 
Run, March 30th, Captain Rhinehart was wounded with two of his 
men. These were our last losses on the field. 

The muster roll for April, 1865, gives the names of twenty- 
seven men as present, and eighteen of these were men who were 
mustered into seiwice at Centre Hall, Centre County, August 22, 
1862. On March 20, 1865, Sergt. Geo. M. Boal was transferred 
to the 83d Pennsylvania Volunteers and made Regimental Quar- 
tennaster of the same. A little later Sergt. Major Charles A. Ram- 
say was promoted to be Adjutant of the 148th Regiment. After 
the surrender, the Regiment lay for a couple of weeks at Farmville, 
while the rebel Army was being paroled and preparations made for 
the march northward. Then came the Grand Review at Washington, 
the muster out and return home. The last appearance of the com- 
pany in organized fonn was at Bellefonte, July 4, 1865, under com- 
mand of Lieut. Luther D. Kurtz. There it broke ranks, and its 
surviving members returned to the walks of civil life, to do their 
part as nobly as they did through the War. 

It will not do to close this brief story of Com- 
pany D without reference to two classes. First : those 
who, at the very beginning of our active service in the 
field, fell at the battle's front, in our first engagement. How 
premature seemed their fall. They were cut off before their time. 



638 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Nor that long list, made up of the number of those who, on every 
field maintained the honor of our cause, and the good name of our 
Regiment ; proved their loyalty and worth by the shedding of their 
blood and the giving up of life. Their names are on record. They 
did their whole duty. Tliey gave their full measure of devotion to 
the cause of the Union. Their names shall be held in lasting remem- 
brance. Second: those who held on their way until the end, and 
were mustered out at the close of the War. Many of them had 
suffered from sickness, and from wounds received in action, but 
having recovered, returned to the company and took up their duty, 
and were faithful to the end. In this they set an example of fidelity 
and loyalty worthy of imitation. At the head of these were the 
commissioned officers, men of the company who came up out of the 
ranks, who won their places because they proved their fitness for 
them, brave men, true and tried, and when tried not found wanting. 
The same is true of the non-commissioned officers, the Sergeants and 
the Corporals, who won their places by their fidelity to duty, proved 
men all. 

Of the five Sergeants all are living but Cross. In kindly re- 
meuibrance let me pay this tribute. Sergt. Allen B. Cross was the 
most light-hearted, cheery and good natured man I ever knew. Never 
out of humor, ready and willing for any duty, always able to 
v/histle or sing, he was the life of his company, and a source of 
courage and help to his comrades — all loyal men and true. It is 
an honor to be mentioned in connection with them, and to have 
done some humble service in their ranks. 

Allenwood, Pennsylvania, 1902. 

(Comrade Gemmill is a Presbyterian Minister at the above place. — Editor.) 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 639 



THE STORY OF COMPANY D. 



PART II. 
By Lieut. L. D. Kuriz. 

The campaign of 1863, with its long and wearisome marches, 
and its hard fought battles was ended. The Army of the Potomac 
had gone into winter quarters at Stevensburg, Virginia, feeling that 
it had earned a needed rest bj its arduous labors in the last cani- 
paig-n. The 148th lay in a groA^e which immediately began to 
disappear. Some of the trees w^ent up in smoke; others went up in 
the sht»Y)e of rude log huts which added greatly to our comfort. 
Soon the transmigration of the grove was complete. The camp was 
nicely laid out and after the company streets were cleaned, everything 
began to look very comfortable and homelike to the veterans, fredh 
from the privations of a hard campaign. While here, the shattered 
ranks of the Regiment were filled with raw recruits, who were pre- 
pared, by constant drill and discipline, for the hardships awaiting 
them in the coming campaign. Our Regiment had, by this time, 
attained a high standard in drill and discipline, and our record bears 
oat the fact. Soon after the camp was laid out, a chapel w'as built, 
in which religious services were regularly held. These meetings 
were presided over by Chaplain Stevens who was devoted to the 
men, and who took a deep interest in their spiritual welfare. Many 
delightful recollections are associated with our camp life at Stevens- 
burg. Memories, pleasant and sad, crowd in upon us. 

Comrades sometimes disagreed and at times became very much 
in earnest. On one occasion several of the boys had become very 
loud. Physical combat threatened and a crowd quickly gathered. 
Unnoticed by most of the crowd the Colonel came up behind and 
gave the command, "Boys, form a ring and let them fight it out." 
The ring was quickly formed but the "principals" had disappeared 
in the confusion and that ended the excitement. In December two 
of Company D's drafted men, took sick and died and were buried 
not far from camp. 



640 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

The five months of camp life were spent very pleasantly and 
all the boys were in good spirits. Althoiig-h the weather was cold, 
and picket and fatigue duty hard at times, they were always cheerful 
and ready for duty. Spring came, and although the coming cam- 
paign promised to be a hard one, yet every one looked with eager- 
ness to the breaking up of camp. The 3d of May came in bright 
diid beautiful and the monotony of camp life was about to be 
broken. In the afternoon we received marching orders and im- 
mediately after dark broke camp. We took up the line of march, 
reaching the battlefield of the Wilderness at about 10 :00 a. m. the 
next day. We spent the remainder of the day and the next night 
on the ground where the year before so many of the brave boys gave 
up their lives. The battle of Chancellorsville was one of the bloodiest 
battles ever recorded on the pages of histor}\ Company D came out 
of the fight with but a CorporaFs squad fit for duty. In the present 
engagement we escaped with slight loss. Up to the evening of May 
(Jth our Regiment had but one killed and several w^ounded. In the 
evening we moved to the right. Early on the morning of the 8 th 
we encountered the enemy at Todd's Farm. The next day we streng'tli- 
ened our position by throwing up works. About 6 :00 p. m. our 
Regiment, after a hard day at fatigue duty, was ordered into line 
and crossed the Po River. Part of our Regiment was then deployed 
as skirmishers and drove the enemy back so the Brigade could cross 
without opposition. May 10th still found us on the south side of 
the Po, constantly changing position. At 1 :00 p. m. we had a 
sharp engagement. Companies A and D being deployed in skirmisli 
line advanced over an open field until within sight of rebel line of 
battle, when we retreated, firing. When half way across the field 
the rebs opened fire on us, wounding several of the men. We joined 
our command and fought for about two hours. We were then com- 
pelled to retreat being surrounded on three sides by the enemy and 
the woods in our rear being on fire. We fell back across the river, 
being the last of the Brigade to recross. Our loss was heavy. On 
May 11th it began raining and at dark we started on the march 
for the assault at the Salient — a brilliant episode fully described in 
other stories. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 641 

Thin was a n'emorable day. The Regiment lost h< avilv. Com- 
pany D lost two killed, John J. Stover and C.yrns Brubaker. Five 
were wounded and three missing. With little rest through the 
night, we resumed our duties the next day, being deployed on 
skirmish line. Thus each day brought with it marching and fighting 
until May 16th found us temporarily in camp on Harrison's fann, 
near Spotsylvania Court House. On the following day we chajiged 
our position and on the 18th were shelled by a rebel battery. After 
dark we marched about five miles to our left and camped for the 
night. On the 19th we received a mail, the first since we had left 
winter quarters. The day passed quietly. In the evening there 
was some skirmishing on our right. Our Regiment was ordered to 
make a reconnaissance, which we did. Marched about a mile and 
returned to camp. May 20th at 10 :00 p. m. we took up the line of 
march. We marched all night and the next day until 2 :00 p. m., 
when we stopped for lunch on hard tack and coffee. While on the 
march w^e passed through Bowling Green and later through Milford 
Station, and then crossed the Mattapony River. On the 22d Com- 
panies D and I were sent out scouting. While on this expedition, 
after reconnoitering several miles beyond our outposts, a halt was 
oidered. The boys, taking advantage of the rest, started out on a 
scout of their own searching for something to eat. They came to 
an old mill where several negroes were staying. Charley Speaker 
quickly discovered some chickens. After some dickering, Charley 
bought the chickens for fifty cents apiece. He then searched the 
mill for cornmeal but found none. When they returned, Charley 
proudly showed his purchase, but when he laid the chickens on the 
ground they both began clucking. Charley was made the target of a 
good many jokes, especially by men of Company I, but he stuck to 
the chickens. In a short time a Sergeant of Company I came in with 
two dozen of eggs, which he had bought at the old mill. He had 
paid a stiff price for them, (it was characteristic of the 148th to 
pay well for everything they bought) but seemed entirely satisfied 
with his bargain. In the evening Charles and I had chicken and 
soft bread for supper, and although the chickens were not as fat as 
they might have been, they tasted fine. The Sergeant of Company I 



642 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

really made a better bargain tliau Charley did for he found chickens 
in all of his eggs. 

We rested until the 27th, then resumed our march crossing the 
Pamunkey. We had sharp skirmishes with the enemy every day. On 
the 31st we advanced and drove the enemy from their works. I 
never experienced as hot skirmishing before. Charley Speaker was 
wounded in the leg. We were relieved in the evening and joined 
llie Regiment. The whole line then advanced and threw up works. 
Thus we pushed our line steadily forward until we reached Cold 
Harbor. Here the 148th displayed marked gallantry. The skirmish 
line, of which Company D was part, in command of Maj. R. H, 
Forster, drove the enemy's advance and then joined the Regiment 
in its rush upon the works. We then threw up works in close range 
of the enemy, using bayonets, plates and anything with which we 
could dig or shovel. These works we gradually advanced until we 
were within a stone's throw of their works. While in this position 
we were constantly annoyed by sharpshooters. Samuel Shannon 
had the button shot off his cap, which was rather a close call. June 
9th a flag of truce was raised to bury the dead between the lines. 
The truce lasted two hours during which time the boys in Blue and 
Gray exchanged tobacco, coffee and hard tack. When the white flag 
was lowered, hostilities were renewed. Our next move was to- 
wards the James. To withdraw the troops from works so close to 
the eneniv, without arousing suspicion, was a delicate operation, but 
it was successfully accomplished. The pickets for our part of the 
line were drawn from the 148th. Being one of the number I well 
remember the orders we received.* 

We struck the James at Sweeney's Landing, June 14, 1864, 
and crossing the river pushed on towards Petei^sburg. From the 
time we broke camp on the 3d day of May until we crossed the 
James was a jx^riod which has no parallel in history. Many of the 
bravo and noble boys who started with us on that beautiful May 
morning, now sleep in their lonely graves beneath some shady pine, 
or on the sunny slope of some southern hillside. And although their 
graves cannot l)e decorated by loving hands on each returning Memor- 
ial Day, yet the ivy and wild rose may make beautiful the s]^x)t 

*See a full account of the movement as related by Lieutenant Colonel Wilson, 
page 271. — Editor. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 643 

where each lies. We enshrine them in our memory as brave ajid 
loyal men, fearless in the discharge of their duty, and 
true to the colors for which they died. Up to June 14th Com- 
pany D lost in killed: John J. Stover, Cyrus Brubaker, George 
Byam and Adam G. Meyer ; wounded : Charles T. Speaker, Henry 
Campbell, Robert Bullock, Allen B. Cross, William Carter, Uavid 
Etter, Daniel Holloway, William P. Holloway, Jacob Reeser, Simon 
Vanada, Henry McCallister, and Henry Staymen ; missing, five ; 
making a total loss of twenty-one. The Army pressed on towards 
Petersburg. June 16tli was a day of hard fighting. On the 16th 
Colonel Beaver was wounded, which wound disabled him for over 
two months. On the 18th Maj. R. H. Forster, who had command 
of the Regiment and who, being division officer of the day, had charge 
of the skirmish line, was severely wounded in the breast. This left 
our Regiment without a field officer, and very much reduced in 
number. The 148th took part in all the engagements until our 
line was established in front of Petersburg. 

On December 15th our Regiment reported at corps headquarters 
to witness the presentation of a medal, as a reward of merit by 
General Meade to private Geo. W. Harris of Company B, for cap- 
turing colors on the 12th of May at Spotsylvania. On the 16th 
our Division was formed in hollow square to witness the execution 
(by hanging) of three soldiers who had deserted, enlisted in the 
Confederate Army were captured and identified. The execution 
tcok place at noon on the 25th, which was Christmas. I spent the 
day with the boys of the 148th. Took dinner with Captain Ed- 
monds, who had been Lieutenant in our company. 

A word in conclusion. Nearly forty years have passed since 
the War. Then we were young and in the flush of vigorous man- 
hood. Xow we are growing old, those hard tack would seem much 
harder; those cold nights on picket much colder; those furious 
charges we made would lack vim and vigor. With the youngest of 
us the shadows are lengthening. Many are far down the shady 
side of the mountain, and will soon pass through the valley of the 
shadow. We have witnessed scenes which should make us wiser 
and better, more earnest, sober and thoughtful. As we proved our 
physical courage on many a hard fought field so let us prove our 
rjioral courage in the great struggle against evil, and at the final 
roll call may all answer to our names and receive our reward. 



644 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



THE STORY OF OOMPAXV ; 



PART III. 

By Sergeant Henry Clay Campbell. 

I was born one mile east of Centre Hill, June 2(3, 1842, raised 
in Ferguson Township on the Campbell Farm. The Pine Grove 
Academy was the seat of learning in those days for that county, 
in fact, students came from several of the adjoining counties. It 
was while attending school here during the winter oi 1861 and 
spring of 1862 that the war excitement reached the highest pitch. 
Men were leaving every day for the Army. In August, 1862, most 
of us concluded there was no use in trying to study. The boys sat 
around in twos and threes talking of going to the War. At last 
some one proposed to Professor Thomas that we all enlist and he 
go along. That night we held a war meeting. 

Most of the school with a number from the town and coujitry 
enlisted. A great many of us had brothers who had enlisted before, 
and our parents thought they had given their share and very reluc- 
tantly gave their consent. In a day or two we met in Pine Grove 
wliere we bid adieu to home and friends. I shall never forget that 
morning. Fathei*s were wiping the tears from their eyes; mothers 
and sisters were weeping aloud. I think Pine Grove has never wit- 
nessed another scene like that, and after forty years I am persuaded 
that those left behind were the real sufferers during the War. 
We were soon on our way, cheering and singing, little realizing what 
^\'as in the future for us all. We were taken to Centre Hall, there 
sworn in and examined by Dr. Geo. L. Potter, then taken over the 
Seven Mountains in wagons to Lewisto\vn. We soon found our way 
to Camp Curtin, there learned that we were to be known in tlie Army 
ai^ Company D, 148th Regiment. We had elected for our Captain, 
Andrew Musser who was a student among us. First Lieutenant, 
Prof. Thomas, the Second Lieutenant was a German reformed 
preacher named Edmunds, who came, I think, from Millheim, who 
proved his loyalty to the cause by preaching the first Sabbath evening 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 645 

from the top of a store box, Charley Speaker and John Rote holding 
tallow candles. Our mess of six consisted of D. H. Young, Wm. 
Weaver, D, H. Weaver, L. Bloom, Mont Bell, and myself, all in A 
tents. Here we learned that Sunday school teaching was not al- 
ways applied to soldier's life. One of the boys proposed going 
down town. When we reached the gate of camp a big lager-beer 
Dutchman called out in very broken language, "Halt ! You can't go 
out here mitout you gots the countersign McClellan." We told him 
we had just received the countersign McClellan. "Then you goes 
right out." 

On the march from Washington to the front the second day 
out most of us were out of rations. There was great complaint and 
longing for the flesh pots of Cockeysville. Colonel Beaver received 
his full share of the blame. About this time Lieutenant Thomas 
accused Lieutenant Edmunds of taking his ham of meat. As we went 
along some one would sing out, "Wh.o stole the ham ?" I learned at <:inr 
Belief onte reunion who stole that ham. We were never caught after 
this without a few hard tack and a piece of pork stored back for re- 
serve. When we reached the river I was detailed to load the baggage 
on a barge. We soon followed and joined the Regiment on the banks 
of Acquia Creek. The next day marched about ten miles to near Fal- 
mouth, placed in General Hancock's Division of Second Corps. Most 
of us had relatives in the different regiments of this Army who had 
gone out before us. 

Daniel Musser, Mont Bell, James Ward and myself started to 
find the 45 th Regiment, where each of us had a brother. We lost 
our bearing and traveled most of the night. When we found them 
they were just making a detail to lift the pontoons on the river, this 
being just after Burnside's defeat at Fredericksburg. Most of our 
friends were sent on this detail but Capt. J. O. Campbell ordered his 
cook to prepare us a good meal, the first we had for one week. 

We soon got up quarters, this time twelve men in one tent, 
one bunk above the other. A great many were sick during the winter 
and a numl>er died. We did picket duty on the Rappahannock. 
Much might be said of the homesickness and hardship of this winter. 
I recall one night when the snow fell about ten inches, we were on 



646 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

the support most of the night; there was not a stick of wood or a 
stump to sit on within a mile of us. We walked in a circle most 
of the time. Towards morning Lieutenant Wilson said, "Oh, Lord, 
how long will this last ?" 

Our first officers all left the service before the real tug of war 
bc'gan. Their places were filled by Rhinehart, Burchfield, Gemmill 
and Kurtz, who all served faithfully until the end. Spring came and 
we were off for Chancellorsville. The first man killed was Samuel 
Holloway. He was lying with his head between my feet when the 
shell from our own guns cut him in two. This seemed a little like 
war I thought. In this battle I was shot through the right leg and 
the right side. I found there was none living within twenty feet 
03 more of me; all were dead or had been wounded and left in the 
rear. Just as I hobbled to the rear Colonel Beaver fell and was car- 
ried back. On our way out the bottom of the cook pan on my back 
was knocked out, the ball lodging in the last ply of the blanket. A 
little way to the rear I found the good Chaplain Stevens, who 
carried me about a mile to the field hospital. I shall never forget him. 

Lieutenant Gemmill, Fleming, Runkle, Ward, myself and others 
were sent to Point Lookout Hospital. After Gettysburg the prison- 
ers were sent down there and a camp formed on the upper end of 
the neck of land. Brother Gemmill was very much annoyed at these 
fellows praying for the Confederacy, lest they might be heard. I 
rejoined the Regiment again after Bristoe Station. While wo lay near 
Warrenton some one reported a hog in the corn field. We surrounde(\ 
the field and JohnOdenkirk brought down the hog and the whole Regi- 
ment had pork for supper. The second winter on the Rappahannock 
was a pleasant one as we had good quarters and plenty of rations. The 
Regiment was recruited to nearly the full number. The Mine Run 
expedition was a pretty rough one but short. Sam Shannon, Cal. 
Bathgate and myself went out to corps headquarters to hear Grace 
Greenwood lecture. On the way home we had trouble with several 
of the Irish Brigade, on our way through their camp. They called out 
the whole 52d New York and we were defeated. Shannon died at 
Carlisle and Batligate lies in the Branch Cemetery. 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIA FOLUNTEERS 647 

The next spring on our way to the Wilderness we passed over 
the Chancellorsville ground and put a new marker on Holloway's 
grave. Just thirty years after, in 1893, I visited this place,' took 
dinner in the brick house which was fitted up for summer boarders. 
\^^iile there the men were cleaning out an old well near the house ; 
they had taken out about a cart load of cannon balls, canteens etc. 1 
brought one of the canteens home with me. I think we lost no 
men in the Wilderness. Some one, however, upset a kettle of hot 
coffee on Helps of Company G, who was sent to the rear. 

Our Regiment crossed the Po River jumping down in the water 
which was about four feet deep, holding up our cartridge box ; after 
focing north, south, east and west we threw up some breastworks and 
waited for the rebs. Towards evening they came and we politely gave 
them our breastworks and retreated across the road to the edge of the 
woods. We lost a great many men in this baittle. I was with the 
colors ; we stood on an old road leading down to the river. Sergeant 
Henry and, I think, all the Corporals but Lucas and myself were 
killed. Colonel Beaver was moving back and forth in our rear and 
if it had been in order I would have suggested that we might as 
well go, for it looked as if our Regiment was fighting the whole 
Rebel Army, which we learned afterward was pretty nearly the- 
situation. 

In the very early part of the charge at the Salient, just 
over the first hill I was severely wounded. Was put in ambulance 
with Colonel Eraser of the 140th and taken to the field hospital. 
The Colonel told me on our way back he had but a few hours to 
live. I gave him all the room I could in the ambulance to die as 
easily as possible, but I learned he returned to his Regiment the same 
evening. He was president of our college for a while, I am told, after 
the War. I thought for several weeks I could not live but recovered 
all right and joined the Regiment again at Fort Stedman. Here 
we lived in bomb-proofs, or holes dug in the ground and covered 
with heavy timber. There was no time day or night when you could 
not hear firing. While in charge of the guard one day William Heb- 
erling called me to his post at the gate of the fort. He was blood 
from head to foot. We took him in and found the ball had barelv 



648 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

cut tlie lower edge of his ear. He did not know it until he saw the 
blood. William was a good soldier. Just before this the one hundred 
had made their famous charge under Captain Brown, and Heberling 
came out with two rebels at the point of the bayonet, and always 
said he killed a rebel Colonel in the fort. About this time we upset 
a sutler, who was a New Jersey rebel and did too much talking in 
favor of the Confederacy. The plans were pretty well carried out 
but when I returned I found I had made a poor haul — had twenty- 
five pocketbooks ; but the others fared better and we had plenty of 
groceries for some time. 

After we left the fort I was made Sergeant and de- 
tailed along with Allen (^ross and George Baker to the bri- 
gade commissary. Each brigade had its own commissary and' 
was in charge of a Captain. Here the rations were drawn 
and issued to the different regiments. In the commissaries 
was kept all that constituted a soldier's rations : hard bread, coffee, 
sugar, beans, salt pork, pickles, pepper, etc., so that it was a general 
store and required several of us to run it. Rations were issued every 
day to the rank and file ; the officers were supposed to buy theirs, 
so there was considerable money handled. Captain Wells was the 
Brigade Commissary. We had relieved some men whose time in the 
service had expired. The Captain complained that his accounts 
had been short for some time and he believed these men had not 
dealt honestly with him. 

Now, along with the rations, there was always whiskey 
by the barrel. This was sold by the canteen on order of 
some officer. None of us were tipplers and after taking ac- 
count of stock we concluded a little water in the whiskey would 
do no harm. Now every teamster and wagon carried a small auger 
or gimlet so that these barrels were always short when they reached 
the commissary. We filled up one barrel with waiter and heard no 
eomi)laints from customers. We then secured a ten gallon keg, filled 
it with water, set it on top of the barrel, threw a blanket over it, 
and as we drew out below the water ran in on top we had no more 
trouble with short accounts. This Captain said we would all make 
good business men. Shortly after the rebel lines were broken in 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 649 

the spring I found sometiiing between a miile and jack with ears 
twelve inches long and good lungs. I traded some watered stock 
for a saddle and bridle and rode this mule to the surrender of Lee 
and back to Washington. He served a good purpose for most of the 
time v/e were either hunting for the wagon train or the troops. One 
night I found George Boal, sitting by the road side ; we concluded 
we were both lost and lay down until morning. 

We lay at Farmville several weeks. While here President 
Lincoln was assassinated. I shall never forget tliat night; not a 
voice heard in all the camp, no sound save the whip-poor-will in the 
tree top. It seemed as if all our suffering had been for nothing. 

We were in the rear of the Corps coming through Richmond, by 
this time Cross and Baker had picked up horses and we rode through 
most of the streets of the city. When we came to the outpost of the 
city there was not the sign of troops anywhere. W^e think we were 
the last of the Second Corps to leave Richmond. Thea'e was very 
little discipline on this trip. We issued rations the evening before 
we came through Richmond, then at Fredea-icksburg. Here w'*^- 
stopped at night very near our first winter's camp. One day south 
of Richmond there was a halt in the column. I rode forward to see 
what was wrong. We found an old reb tiying to get up a borse 
tiade with General Miles. The boys gathered around and it looked 
something like a country vendue. Instead of forward march, Miles 
said, ''Well, boys, I guess we had better move." We remained 
near Alexandria several weeks in which time the great review in 
Washington took place; then we closed the commissary, joined our 
Regiment and left for home. Cross and Baker moved to Kansas 
where Cross died about two years ago. 



650 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



thp: story of company d. 



PART IV. 

By D. H. Young. 

I enlisted at Centre Hall August 28, 1862. I left home that 
morning rather undecided as to what my real duty was. On tlie 
one hand was the urgent call of my country ; on the other hand, my 
father, infirm, almost totally helpless, nearly seventy- years of age : 
mother a few years his junior, and an invalid sister, to say nothing 
of "the girl I left behind;" all of whom except the last mentioned 
depended largely on me for their support and comfort. After several 
hours of intense study I "resolved to refer the whole matter to Provi- 
dence. Taking two slips of paper 1 wrote the word "Cro" on one 
and the word "Stay" on the other and placing them between my 
thumb and index finger asked Mr. James Mitchell and Mr. Alex- 
ander Sam])le (now both dead) to please draw one. "What for," 
tliey asked in concert. "Draw one out and it will tell you," was ray 
reply. Mr. Mitchell drew the one marked "Go." When I explained 
what it meant he appeared horror stricken, aud said, "Now, if you 
are killed I can't hel}) but think that I am the cause of your death." 
I told him he would not be responsible, but he told me after my 
return from the Anny that it was a great relief to him when he 
saw me back again. This may seem veiy trifling to some but it 
was a very serious matter to me. The word "Go" was drawn and 
I went, confident that I was doing my duty, and now after the lapse 
of fory-one years I firmly believe that the same beneficent agency 
that guided and controlled me then continued with mo during that 
entire struggle. 

We were sworn in at Centre Hall the same day (August 28). 
arrived at Camp Curtin on the morning of the '30tli and there re- 
ceived the apjx^llation of Company D, 148th Regiment Pennsylvania 
^''olunteers. While encamped at Cockeysville I took sick. Dr. C 
I*. W. Fisher ])rononnced it a mild case of typhoid fever and ordered 
me to the hospital. T remonstrated, told him that if I had typhoid 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 651 

and was taken to that hospital I would be dead in less than two 
weeks. Through tlie kindness of Dr. Fisher, Hospital Steward Jacob 
Kreider and the First Sergeant of Company D, I was permitted to 
remain in our camp quarters for several weeks until I had fully 
recovered. After this spell of sickness I enjoyed belter health than 
I ever did before, was always ready and able for duty until I was 
disabled by wounds received at Ohancellorsville, May 3, 1863. 

January 28, 1863, is a day that I commemorate as one of the 
worst days I ever saw. Mud from six inches to two feet deep ; rain 
fell all night until about day break when it turned to snow. Just 
then we started for the picket line along the Rappahannock. My 
feet were wet before we left camp. It kept on snowing and melting 
until about three o'clock the next morning when the snow was about 
a foot deep. It commenced freezing and the only way we could 
keep from freezing was to form large circles from forty to sixty 
yards in diameter and keep traveling like an old horse in a bark mill. 
How many of our boys now living can recall that eventful night and 
day ? Lieut. Jabez C. P. Jones, of Company B, is one and H. C. 
■Campbell of Company D is another who, I think, are still living.""'' 

May 2d, at Chancellorsville, Charles F. Speaker of Company D 
was wounded by a stray shell this afternoon while we were support- 
ing the skirmish line. I heard and saw tlie missile strike him and 
assisted in getting him out, and thought, at the time, he was dead. 
I have not seen Comrade V. F. S])eakeT since. 

A BATTl.E BY MOONLIGHT. 

Saturday night I stood guard at General Caldwell's tent. In 
the evening there was a short but brisk engagement with Jackson's 
men on our right. It was here that Stonewall Jackson was killed. 
It was a calm, quiet moonlight night, very little stir or sound was 
heard save the occasional braying of a mule. This quiet calm was 
broken probably about midnight by the discharge of a gun followed 
by hundreds and thousands of others. These with the roaring of the 
cannon created the battle by moonlight. Forgetting all about guard- 
ing the General's tent, so far as I was concerned, marauders could 
easily have carried the tent, contents and all away. I stood silently 
watching this work of carnage and slaughter until I heard my own 
*See Casualties. 



652 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

voice utter and repeat the words, "Awful," ''Terrible," "Sublime," 
ajid finally "Charming," because I was charmed. Never before or 
since have I been so deeply impressed. I do not pretend to describe 
my feelings because I cannot. 

ON THE CHANCELLOESVILLE BATTLEFIELD MAY 3, 1863. 

I will quote from a letter to a friend, soon after the battle : 

"You wish me to give you a full account of myself. Well, the 
enemy we encountered were lying flat on the ground partly concealed 
in the brush and leaves at the distance of about tAventy-five yards 
from us, in fact the head of our Company (D) was only about half 
that distance, they fired into our ranks before we knew they were 
there. The first time I received a scratch on the right hip. We re- 
ceived orders to lie down, and fire, at least that is what we did. The 
balls then came like a hail storm. I was soon struck the second 
time in the right hip inflicting a very severe wound, paralyzing both 
right limbs. Our troops then fell back, as many as could made their 
way back to our lines. I attempted it (using my gun as a staff or 
crutch) but fainted from the loss of blood but soon recovered and 
fcund the woods all on fire. I lit a match as best I could, burned 
a space large enough to lie upon and thus escaped tlie flames. This 
was quite a task for me in my weak condition. Two soldiers from 
Company C made their way to the spot and saved themselves. There 
we lay watching our poor wounded comrades burning to death. 
Such a horrible sight I hope I may never see again. The two soldiers 
from Company C were Wm. Sm^iJie and Henry Markle. Late on 
Monday evening we were carried out of the woods to an old log house 
where we lay on the ground without any shelter, with but little to eat 
and drink. It rained several times while we were here. One 
morning (May 4th) I lay in the water six inches deep unable to 
stir. A wounded man had rolled on me during the night. I begged 
him to please roll away but he did not stir. After day break a 
Johnny came along and rolled liim ott" and then I di,scovered that 
the man was dead. There were quite a nunil)er of dead horses ly- 
ing around ; the stench was almost unendurable." 

AMONG THE DEAD. 

The foregoing extract is not as explicit as it should be. The 
first vollev fired into our ranks killed Samuel T^itzel on mv riffht, 
as he fell he struck me across the breast with his left hand. Wth. 
Bible and Bonjamin F. Bloom in front of me, Avere also struck and 
both died from the wounds. Soon after the great fire had passed over, 
a .-(|iiad of Confederate skirniishers passed on at quick step and soon 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA {VOLUNTEERS 653 

returned on a double quick, they never noticed us. An iiour, or more 
perhaps, another squad of Johnnies in charge of a Captain came 
along, they were unarmed and pretended tliey were looking after 
their wounded. They gathered around us, shook hands and told 
of Stonewall Jackson's death, expressed much sympathy on account 
of our suffering, bade us farewell as they saw their Captain approach. 
The Captain imlike his men was rude and gi'uff, he insultingly asked 
what we were doing here. I told him the only thing we could do 
was to lie here until somebody came to help us out. As he was about 
leaving, I said, "Captain, I have shaken hands with every man 
that has been here this morning and want to shake with you. He 
came back, shook hands and left smiling. Night came on, it was a 
sad, dreary night to us. Comrade Markle was shot in the leg, 
from the effects of which he died about a month later. Comrade 
Smythe was shot through the lungs, the ball passing through his 
arm between the elbow and the shoulder and then clean through the 
body. I met him several years after in Tiffin, Ohio, where he was 
running a grocery store. The bullet that hurt me most passed 
diagonally though the right hip shattering the hip bone. I mention 
this to give a faint idea of what a sad trio we were. There was con- 
siderable shooting going on all night; the report of the guns and 
whistling bullets was anything but pleasant to us. We spent the next 
day (May 4th) trying to identify the dead men of Companies T) 
and C. We were twenty or twenty-five yards from them. Of mem- 
bers of Company D we identified Wm. Knarr, Samuel Harshbarger, 
Jacob Kain, Samuel Leitzel, Wm. Weaver, John Murphy, John 
Reed and P. S. Imboden. Those of Company C : Lieut. W. H. 
Bible, Lieut. Frank Stevenson, Nathan Yarnell, Simon Segner 
and Wm. Norris, There were others whom we failed to identify 
owing to distance from them and the charred condition of their 
bodies. This was the evening we were taken out of the woods to the 
log house. The Confederate soldiers whom I met were principally 
men from North Carolina and Georgia and to their credit be it said 
that I never met a more sociable set of men anywhere, I talked 
witli a good many during my stay among them and with a single 
exception never had an unkind word from them. Of course they 



654 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

were uot in position to render us any material aid. They were con-, 
siderably elated ovei- gaining the battle but thought it a dear victory 
in comparison with the loss of General Stonewall Jackson. I tried 
t<^' find out through them what they thought wouhl be done with 
u- wounded prisoners. They told us we would be sent across the 
line under a flag of truce, which proved true. 

I was wounded May 3d alwut 7 :00 a. m. ; lay on the battle- 
field till Wednesday morning May 14th. Arrived at division 
hospital Thursday evening, May 15th, and then had my wound 
dressed for the first time. ^let with many hearty congratulations 
here from my suiwiving comrades and others. 

On Wednesday afternoon. May 14, 1808, after our ambulances 
had brought us to our side of the Rappahannock, while lying on my 
hard couch in the ambulance, a familiar voice greeted my ear, saying, 
''Will you have a cup of tea and a biscuit." I at once recognized 
the voice as that of Rev. A. J. Hartsock, a former schoolmate at 
Pine Grove Academy. I said, ''Yes, Jack; I'll have one." It took 
some time before he could locate me, but I got the cup of tea and 
biscuit all the same and a hearty congratulation beside. I met Com- 
rade Hartsock in Huntingdon several months ago. We talked thc 
matter over, and he appeared to me as zealous and energetic as he did 
forty years ago. The next evening we arrived at division hospital 
as stated above. 

DIVISION HOSPITAL, POTOMAC CREEK, VIRGINIA. 

Among the numerous visitors here was General Hancock, an- 
other officer and an O'rderly. The General passed through and s]X)ke 
to every man in tlie ward except me; of course, he missed me acci- 
dentally. As they were alxmt leaving the' Orderly noticed the Gen- 
eral's blunder. T beckoned the Orderly, and said to him, "Please tell 
(ieneral Hancock that he spoke to every soldier in this ward except 
me, and be sure to tell him that I consider myself as good a man 
as he is." He replied, "I will tell him." One of the nurses then 
lexjtured me for my incivility, even told me I ought to have more 
sense. I thought then that perhaps the nurse was right. In less 
than half an ho\ir, however. General Hanotck and the man to whom 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 656 

1 had spoken retunieJ. The latter introduced me to General Han- 
cock as the man he had missed. The General then, while grasping 
my hand introduced the man I thought was his Orderly as ''Gen- 
eral Gibbons." After apologizing for his seeming indiiferenoe and 
asking quite a number of questions relative to my long stay among 
the Johnnies, he bade me farewell. 

I had two brothers only, and both were killed in battle. Samuel, 
the younger, served nearly four years in the 2d Ohio Cavalry, was 
killed, I think, the last of March, 1865, at the battle of Five Forks, 
Virginia. William, the older, was in the 49th Regiment Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers, and was killed in the battle of the Wilderness in 
1864. 



V 



THE STORY OF E COMPAXY. 

Compiled from Data Furnished by Surviving Comrades. 

In providing for the organization of new regiments nnder the 
call of the President for 300,000 volunteers July 7, 1862, it was 
provided in General Orders No. 75, War Department, Adjutant 
General's Office, Washington, July 8, 1862: 

"(1) In organizing new regiments of volunteers the Governors 
of states are hereby authorized to appoint, in addition to the several 
officers heretofore authorized, one Second Lieutenant for each coni- 
pany who shall be mustered into the service at the commencement of 
the organization, who shall have authority to muster in recruits as 
they are enlisted. If any recruit shall be enlisted by such officer who 
shall afterwards, on medical inspection, prove to have been obviouslj' 
unfit for the service at the time of his enlistment, all expenses caused 
thereby shall be paid h\ such officer to be stopped against him froni 
any payment that may be coming to him from the Government 
thereafter. 

"Any officer thus appointed and mustered shall only be entitled 
to be paid on the muster and payroll of his company and, should he 
fail to secure an organized company within such reasonable time as 
the Governor may designate, his men may be transferred to some 
other company, his appointment be revoked and be discharged with- 
out pay, unless the Governor shall think proper to give him a posi- 
tion in the consolidated company to which his men have been trans- 
ferred." 

In pursuance of the provisions of this orders, Charles Stewart, 
of Brookville, Pennsylvania, was commissioned by the Governor of 
Pennsylvania as Second Lieutenant August 5, 1862, with authority 
to raise a company. He was mustered into service as such at Harris- 
burg the same day by Capt. William B. Lane and immediately there- 
after began to recruit a company in Jefferson County, holding meet- 
ings in various parts of the county in aid of the enterprise. 

Capt. Silas J. Marlin, of the same place, who had previously 
been a Captain in the 105th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, was 
also recruiting a company. There did not seem to be men enough 
to fill both companies and, after Stewart had enlisted fifty-two men, 
he found he had about reached the limit of available men in that 
community. 



r 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 657 

At the same time James H. Benford, of Indiana County, was 
recruiting a company at Plumville in the northwestern part of the 
county, near the Armstrong County line, but was also unable to fill 
it to the required minimum. 

Between the 5th and 21st of August, Stewart had recruited his 
fifty-two men and Benford, including five men from Armstrong 
County, namely, W. C. Devinney, William Fisher, John Kenly, 
John C. Moorehead and Joseph H. Moorehead, had forty-seven men. 
When or how the arrangement for the union of these two detach- 
ments came about does not appear or whether their meeting in In- 
diana was accidental is not knoAvn to the writer. At all events, on the 
16tii of August, 1862, Benford with his forty-seven men left Plum- 
ville for the town of Indiana in hacks and wagons, arriving there by 
noon of that day. They remained there until about -1 :00 p. m., Aug- 
ust 20th, Stewart and his men having in the meantime arrived from 
Jefferson Countj^ in similar conveyances. Whether these two de- 
tachments agreed to unite before leaving Indiana is a matter of some 
doubt but they certainly left for Harrisburg on the same train on 
the 20th, reaching there the next morning and spending the day 
in the preparation of their camp, which was occupied in common. 

After a few days in Camp Ciirtin and the necessary rolls were 
prepared, an election for officers took place which, much to Benford's 
surprise and disgust, resulted in the election of Charles Stewart as 
Captain, John F. Sutton, who had been discharged a few days pre- 
viously from three months' service in Company E of the 19th Regi- 
ment Ohio Volunteers, as First Lieutenant, and George Hamilton 
as Second Lieutenant. Benford being left out entirely by this elec- 
tion, returned home. The organization was completed by the ap- 
pointment of I>evi C. Smith, First iSergeant, and Sergeants William 
T. Clark, Robert A. Travis, George Miller and James M. Sutton; 
and as Corporals, William C. Devinney, George W. Roland, John 
Kenly, Jacob Roland, George Baughman, Peter D. Sprankle, 
Charles M. Law and John L. Mahon. The muster-in of the company 
seems to have been made in two detachments, part on September 1st 
by Captain Sailer and part September 2d by Captain Plummer. 



658 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Captain Stewart had formerly lived in Bellefonte and was well 
acquainted with many of the officers in the companies from Centre 
County. This probably had much to to do with, the fact that the 
company, about a week or more after it reached the camp, became 
part of the 148th Regiment 

But a few days after its muster into the service, the company 
was armed and equipped and went by rail, with the Regiment, to 
Cockeysville, and was there stationed with Companies I and H at 
Gunpowder bridge, one of the most important points on the Northern 
Central Railroad, to guard which during the Maryland campaign 
of the Army of the Potomac the Regiment was sent from Harrisburg. 

At the camp on Gunpowder Creek, called Camp Fairlamb, the 
life of the company became thoroughly identified with that of the 
Regiment, Major Fairlamb being in command at tliat point and th(; 
camp being frequently visited by the Colonel. 

The railroad bridge which crosses the Gunpowder Creek was 
considered the most important point on the road and it was supposed 
that, if any attack were made by the cavalry of tJie enemy, it would 
be directed toward that point. Special vigilance was, therefore, en- 
joined upon the companies stationed there and the lookout was keen 
and constant. E Company captured at one time a man who appeared 
to be a strolling tramp who could give no account of himself and 
who, lest he might possibly be a spy or bent upon mischief, was sent 
to regimental headquarters where, after being examined, it was 
thoug'ht of sufficient importance to send him to the headquarters of 
the department at Baltimore. 

On the occasion of one of the visits of the Colonel to our camp, 
he remained until after retreat and the countei'sign had been given 
out. The Colonel was very careful in his attention to tbe details of 
discipline and particularly to those of guard duty, and was in tJie 
habit of instructing sentinels, by taking their place and showing 
them how to discharge their duties. On this occasion Tommy 
IMcKlwcc, wlio was one of the characters of our ('()m}>any, had heeii 
carefully instructed by Corporal Devinney, who was Corporal of his 
relief, in the details of his duty and, when the Colonel started upon 
his homeward journey to Cockeysville, Tommy promptly halted him. 



i 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 659 

ompelled him to dismount and give tlie countersign. This was, of 
course, in exact accordance with the regulations; and, although 
Tommy thought it was a good joke on the Colonel, the latter was 
delighted at the manner in which the sentinel discharged his duty, 
regarding his authority at tlie time, as is always the case of a sen- 
tinel on duty, as paramount. 

The first death in the company was that of William Fisher 
which occurred at the regimental hospital at Oockeysville October 
10, 1862. 

The first general bi-monthly muster of the company was made 
October 31, 1862. It was quite an occasion and large preparation 
was made for it. The original roll is still extant. The inspection 
and muster were made by the Colonel and the remarks upon the roll 
are in his liandwriting. They are interesting as showing the care 
with which the inspection Avas made and the estimate placed upon 
the condition of the company. The Colonel also made the first 
muster of the company after it reached the Army of the Potomac 
and the remarks upon the roll after it are in the same spirit. The 
subsequent rolls, where the inspection was made by officers from other 
commands, bear the endorsements made thereon ''Good" or "Very 
good," res]>ectively. Tt may be well here to transcribe the certificate 
of the inspector and mustering officer, as showing part of the ma- 
chinery for keeping up the discipline and appearance of the Army, 
as well as the remarks upon the first muster-roll. They were as 
follows : 

"I certify on honor that I have carefully examined this muster- 
roll and that I have mustered and minutely inspected the company, 
the condition of which is found to be, as expressed in my remarks 
hereunto annexed." 

The foot note to this certificate is as follows : 

"It is made the special duty of tlie inspector and mustering offi- 
cer to add the proper remarks touching 'Discipline,' 'Instruction,' 
etc., according to the facts, exhibited in the course of his inspection, 
with such other remarks as may be necessary or useful for the infor- 
mation of the War Department." 



I 



660 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

The remarks on this occasion were: Discipline, "Tolerably 
well enforced ;" Instruction : "First principles and details should 
be dwelt upon more carefully." Military appearance: "Will be 
much improved by increased attention to first principles." Arms: 
"Vincennes rifle, saber bayonet, caliber .69, very inefficient; tolerably 
well kept." Accoutrements: "Old when received; no cartridge box 
plates; brasses need burnishing." Clothing: "Tolerably clean and 
neat; knapsacks should be more carefully packed." 

There were present for duty at this muster three commissioned 
officers and eighty enlisted men ; aggregate eighty-three. There 
were sick two Sergeants twelve privates, fourteen in all ; thus shoe- 
ing the strength, present and absent, three commissioned officers, 
ninety -four enlisted men. 

About j^I^ovember 20, 1862, James Devinney from Armstrong 
County joined the company as a recruit and was identified with the 
life of the company thereafter, until his discharge in the following 
June on surgeon's certificate of disability. 

Before receiving orders to join the Army of the Potomac, John 
S. Weamer had died in the hospital at Cockeysville, November 30, 
1862 ; and, when orders were received and the Regiment left De- 
cember 9, 1862, we left in the hospital at Cockeysville Henry Cling- 
enberger, Amos Cryster, John M. Hartman, William Jordon, John 
Pounds, Jacob Roland and George W. Roland, who were subse- 
quently transferred to the general hospital at York, Pennsylvania, 
where most of the sick left in the regimental hospital at Cockeysville 
were taken. 

Tn passing through Washington, December 11, 1862, First Ser- 
geant L,evi C. Smitli was left in the general hospital there. He 
never rejoined the Regiment but was discharged from the 
hospital on surgeon's certificate Januarv 27, 1863. Tn consequence, 
William T. Clark was promoted to First Sergeant. 

At the muster December 31, 1862, the recapitulation on the 
foot of the roll showed two commissioned officers and sixty-seven 
men present for duty, one officer and twenty men present sick, two 
enlisted men on detached service and eight enlisted men absent sick, 
making an aggregate, present and absent, of one hundred. 



r 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 661 

The roll on the SOth of April, 1863, shows the aggregate at last 
muster ninety-three. ''Present for duty, three oflBcers, sixty-eight 
enlisted ; sick, threei enlisted ; on detached service, two enlisted ; 
absent sick, fifteen enlisted, making a total aggregate of ninety-one. 
Discharged for disability, one, namely. First Sergeant Smith ; de- 
serted, one." 

The company had its share of the services and hardships of the 
winter of 1862-1863 in camp at Falmouth, Virginia, and took part 
in the Chancellorsville campaign. Being on the picket line on the 
Fredericksburg front of the Army at Chancellorsville we were very 
fortunate in escaping without any serious or fatal casualties, al- 
though Captain Stewart was slightly wounded in the foot and re- 
turned to camp without having lost a man after that brief but un 
fortunate campaign. 

June 1st before the march for Pennsylvania began, Second 
Lieutenant George Hamilton resigned and was discharged and First 
Sergeant William T. Clark was promoted to Second Lieutenant 
August 26, 1863, in his place. 

The company marched to Gettysburg and participated in the 
battle there with the Regiment. Nothing specially important pe- 
culiar to it occurred and the details of the battle are fully set forth 
elsewhere. We lost in the battle of the 2d of July Samuel Klingen- 
smith, who was killed, and John Kunkle, who died of wounds re- 
ceived there and was buried in the National Cemetery, section A, 
grave 57. The wounded were Lieut. John F. Sutton and Henry 
Horner, Thomas Luckhart, Thomas MoElwee, George Miller, Eman- 
uel Raybuok, Joseph C. Speedy, Samttel Shilling and James K. 
Wells. After Lieut. Stitton was wounded, Captain Stewart being 
sick and not with the company, there were no commissioned officers 
present for duty. Sergeants Travis and Devinney were the only 
noncommissioned officers of that grade present, Travis having 
charge of the company. 

After the 148th Regiment had been relieved on the front line 
on the 2d of July, an order for a detail for picket dttty from the Regi- 
ment was received, to consist of a Lieutenant, a Sergeant and twenty- 
one men. Sergeant Devinney and Corporal Joseph H. Moorehead 



662 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

and Privates John C Moorehead and William Oberlin were detailed 
from E Company. The picket line was established upon the ground 
over which the battle had raged that day, the detail from our Regi- 
ment being to the left of where General Pickett made his charge on 
the following day. The line remained there all night and all the 
next day, holding its position until the charge was over and all was 
quiet. Being then relieved and re-joining the company, the detail 
was excused from all duty for forty-eight hours in recognition of the 
manner in which they had discharged their duties at the front. 

After the return from the campaign in Pennsylvania and the 
Regiment had become fairly well settled, Captain Stewart resigned 
September 25, 1863. Lieut. John F. Sutton was promoted to 
the captaincy Xovember 15, 1863. Robert A. Travis, who had been 
promoted from Sergeant tiO First Sergeant AugTist 20, 1863, and 
commissioned as Second Lieutenant September 26, 1863, but not 
mustered, was discharged by order of the Secretary of War, in order 
to enable him to accept a commission as Captain in the 8th Regi- 
ment, Ignited States Colored Troops. 

The resignation of the Captain and the discharge of Travis led 
to numerous changes auiong the commissioned and non-commissioned 
officers. Second Lieutenant Clark was promoted to First Lieutenant 
T^Tovembe]" 15, 1863. Sergt. James M. Sutton, who had been pro- 
moted from Sergeant to First Sergeant November 10, 1863, wa? 
made Second Lieutenant January 13, 1864, and Sergeant Sprankle, 
who had been promoted from Cor]>oral to Sergeant November 11, 
1863, was made First Sergeant January 14, 1864. After these ])ro- 
niotions, the Sergeants were Kenly,Devinney, Baughman andMabon, 
and Corporals Charles M. Law, Daniel W. Suiith, Isaiah L. Wells, 
Robert J. Crissman, William J. Postlethwaite, Joseph 11. IVfoore- 
head, Matthew C. Allison and Daniel 11. SnttiM-. as ajvpears by the 
muster roll of April 30, 1864. 

At the muster of that date. Lieutenant Clark was upon de- 
tached service recruiting, Sergeant Sprankle on detached service at 
Carlisle Barracks, Sergeant Mabon detached as Sergeant of brigade 
pioneers, Johnson llamiltnn, nmsician. detached in division head- 
quarter band. Isaac ('ncliraii detached wirli anibnlance c(tr])s since 



THE 148TH PEI^NSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 663 

July 11, 1863, Alexander R. Dimlap detached brigade pioneers, 
John C. Hoover detached in ambulance corps since December 29, 
1862, Daniel C. Law detached as musician in divsion headquarter 
band since February 21, 1864; John C. Moorehead detached at bri- 
gade headquarters, Mounted Orderly John B. Shall detached in 
wagon train since November 9, 1863. 

The following members of the company were carried on that 
roll as transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps during the month 
of April: William Evans, William Jordan, John Pounds and 
Hezekiah Reed. 

The mustering officer at that muster was Lieut. Col. D. L. 
Strieker, of the 2d Delaware Regiment, who was killed the following 
month in the charge at Spotsylvania Court House. 

The muster roll of 30th of June, 1864, shows numerous dianges. 
Isaiah L. Wells, who had been sent to hospital at Washington May 
2, 1864, died of consumption June 5th. William J. Postlethwaite, 
who had been wounded in action at Po River May 10th, died in field 
hospital the same day. Matthew C. Allison, also wounded at Po 
River, died at Fredericksburg, Virginia, May 19, 1864, and the fol- 
lowing men, wounded at Po River and sent to the hospital at Wash- 
ington, died there on the dates mentioned : Samuel R. Gearhart and 
Joseph Long, June 5, 1864; David Luckhart, May 30, 1864, and 
George F. Timblin, June 28, 1864. David Smith was killed in ac- 
tion at Spotsylvania May 12, 1864, and Joseph C. Speedy, who had 
been wounded at Gettysburg July 2, 1863, was discharged April 28, 
1864, on account of wounds received in battle. Sergt. William C. 
Devinney was promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant of the Regiment 
May 30, 1864, and Joseph Moorehead was appointed Sergeant in 
his place. The losses in the company at the battle of Po River May 
10, 1864, were unusually heavy, including Lieut. James M. Sutton, 
whose wound caused the amputation of his leg later, Sergt. Ivenly, 
Corporals Law, Smith and Crissman and Privates John Cummings, 
James C. Cramer, Harman Friday, Samuel R. Gearhart, Erastus 
King, Samuel A. Pilson, Vincent Richards, who was also missing, 
as was also Philip Sloppy and John Snyder, John Wynk(^op and 
Henrr Younc;. 



664 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

In addition to David Smith killed, at Spotsylvania, there wem 
wounded in that engagement Sergeant Baughman, Thomas Garrett, 
William A. Hallowell, Jacob H. Jamison, Jacob Miller and James 
Shoppart. Emanuel Bush was missing in action. 

There were also wounded in action at Cold Harbor from June 
3d to 6th, Sergeant Moorehead, John Meekans, Philip Whitsel and 
Peter Vancile. 

At the June muster, therefore, there were present for duty the 
Captain, not a single Sergeant, three Corporals one musician and 
seventeen privates, making aggregate present for duty twenty-two, 
out of the strength present and absent of eighty-seven, the aggregate 
of the last muster having been ninety-seven. This tells its own 
story and is a most striking commentary on the casualties which 
decimated not only this company but the Eegiment as well during 
the campaign from the Wilderness to Petersburg. It is rather re- 
markable that so good an officer as Col. James C. Lynch of the 183d 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, who was the inspector and mustering 
officer at the end of June, should, under such circumstances, have 
marked everything relating to the company "Good." 

There were missing in action June 22, 1864, John Boyer and 
John S. Ilarman. Joseph H. Law is marked upon this muster roll 
as on detached service at brigade headquarters as bugler. He con- 
tinued in that capacity until the end of the War and was the last 
man of the Regiment killed. 

Lieutenant Clark was discharged on surgeon's certificate, July 
7, 1864, and Lieutenant Sutton November 8, 1864, for wounds, with 
loss of leg, received at Po River. These changes led to the promo- 
tion of Sergeant Sprankle to First Lieutenant September 25, 1864, 
and John Kenly to Second Lieutenant November 30, 1864. These 
two officers and Captain Sutton were all mustered out with the com- 
pany and Sergeant Baughman, by reason of these changes, became 
First Sergeant and Covjwrals Charles M. Law and Daniel W. Smith 
were made Sergeants. 

The muster roll of August 31, 1864, shows the Captain, two 
Corporals and thirteen privates present for duty, the absent sick 



I 




JOSEPH H. MOREHEAD. Go. E 



THE 148TII PENNSYLFANU VOLUNTEERS 665 

numbering fifty-six ; these, of course, includiu<i' the wounded ; the 
aggTegate strength, present and absent, being eightv-thi-ee. 

The October muster shows some imjiTovemeut, there being 
present for duty the Captain, two Sergeants, three Corporals and 
tliirteen jirivatcs, nuiking an aggregate of nineteen, iiftv-three being 
absent sick, and a total strength present and absent of eightv-one. 

The December muster shows still further improvement, there 
Ueiug ])resent for duty the Captain, the Second Lieutenant, two 
Sergeants, four Corporals and fifteen Privates, making an aggre- 
gate of twenty-three, the absent sick being thirty-nine and the aggro- 
gate strength, present and absent seventy-four. 

The muster-roll of the 28th of February, 1865, shows present 
for duty the Captain, Second Lieutenant, two Sergeants, five Cor- 
porals and fifteen Privates, making an aggregate of twenty-four. The 
absent sick were thirty-one and the aggregate strength, present and 
absent, sixty-six, as against seventy-four at the previous muster, eight 
having been in the meantime lost, one discharged for disability, one 
transferred, two died of wounds, one from disease and three deserted. 
Of the latter, two were drafted men. 

E Company had many men of fine character who made excel- 
lent soldiers. Many of them have been already mentioned by name. 
Among the men of this class were three brothers who enlisted at 
Punxsntawney in Jefferson County among the early recruits. They 
were (^harles M. Law, Joseph Henry Law, known as Harry, and 
Daniel C. Law. The latter was one of the very young soldiers 
of the Regiment, as appears elsewhere. Charles became a Sergeant, 
Ifarry was the last man in the Regiment killed and Daniel still Ha^cs^ 
in good health, and is doing his share of the world's work. They 
were devoted to each other, as brothers should be, and an incident in 
the campaign of 1864 during the second diversion to Deep Bottom 
is worth repeating. 

The heat was intense, and after being engaged with his com- 
pany in battle during the morning, Charlie was prostrated by a 
sunstroke or something similar. His brothers carried him to the 
field hospital which was simply the fly of a hospital tent, Harry 



666 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

going back to the Regiment and Dan staying with his brother who 
was unconscious. He finally succeeded in getting a surgeon to In 
at his brother who, after feeling his pulse and finding that he could 
do little for him, said, "There are too many wounded men here who 
must be looked after, without wasting time over a man who is as 
near dead as this one," but added, "If you can get some whiskey 
down his throat, that, if anything, will revive him." Dan took his 
tin cup down to the commissary wagon and secured some whiskey 
which could be poured into his brother's mouth only by prying his 
jaws apart with the handle of a spoon. This, with a vigorous and 
laborious massage, was the only treatment. It was rej)eated, witli 
whiskey and massage alternately, until about ten o'clock at night, 
when about half the contents of the cup were exhausted and Dan l>e- 
came so worn out with his rubbing, and there being no signs of life, 
that he lay down between a man whoso leg had been amputated and 
another who was badly wounded in other ways. When he awakened 
av the end of a couple of hours the contents of his cup were gone 
but, securing another supply, he continued the treatment of his 
brother, without any visible effect, until about two o'clock in the 
morning, when he began to show slight signs of life. This, of course, 
encouraged him to redouble his efforts and about four o'clock he 
became sufficiently conscious to recognize his brother. A continua- 
tion of the treatment uninterruptedly for several hours brought him 
to the point where he was able to sit up. 

By this time orders had come to cany the wounded to the trans- 
port to be conveyed to City Point. Our forces had fared badly and 
there were many wounded to be transported. There was great pres- 
sure upon the ambulances and, although Charlie was about fifty 
]H.unds heavier than Dan, the latter loaded him up to carry him 
to the boat. This, of course, was a very arduous task an<l, between 
carrying him and dragging him on the ground, he succeeded in get- 
ting him most of the way, when fortunately an ambulance came 
along with a vacant seat, the driver of which twtk him and carried 
him to the boat. 

Harry, Avho had joIuimI the Eegiment, had taken the time to 
write home, telling his parents that Charlie was dead, but Dan, not 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 667 

knowing what he had written, wrote later, g-iving them the real 
facts as they were known to him, which he mailed after getting 
Charlie to the hospital at City Point. Both letters were received 
hy the parents in the same mail. The two brothers are yet living, 
one of whom has furnished the main facts for this incident. 

As already stated, Harry Law was detailed as bugler at brigade 
headquarters and John C. Moorehead, who is also referred to as 
having been detailed as mounted orderly at the same headquarter'^., 
carried the brigade flag. The latter, although gone to the great 
beyond, while living, many times detailed the dramatic facts attend- 
ing Harry's last bugle blast. He said that on the 7th of April, 
during the closing scenes of the htirried effort to block Lee's passage 
south and secure the surrender which came two days later, the First 
Division of the Second Corps was warmly engaged. He and Harry 
v/ere sitting on their horses, side by side, when the brigade com- 
mander ordered Harry to blow the call for a charge upon a battery 
of the enemy which was in position on' commanding ground in front 
of the Fourth Brigade and causing considerable annoyance. The 
charge was sounded, the brigade obeyed with a will and just a^ 
Harry took the bugle from his mouth a shell or solid shot from the 
batteiw carried away the upper part of his head, leaving him erect 
bill lifeless in his saddle. ^Notwithstanding the forward movement, 
]\loorehead jumped from his horse, stuck his flag staff in the ground, 
juilled Harry from the saddle and buried him there by the wayside 
on the road to Amelia Court House. Moorehead's death subsequently 
prevented the identification of his grave and the removal of his body, 
Ml). I so this gallant but unfortunate soldier lies in an unknowi: 
pravc. His bugle was given to one of his brothers and was brought 
home, covered with blood of the last man of the 148th Regiment, so 
far as is known, killed in the War. It was given to his wife but 
was destroyed by the burning of her house a few years later. 

Harry La\v w^as one of those neat, tidy soldiers, of cheerful 
disposition and abounding health, whd was always ready for duty 
and always on the alert for frolic or adventure, whom it was a 
pleasure to see on inspection and who cheerfully met all the exacting 
requirements of military discipline and duty. It is said that he was 



668 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

iR'ver absent from dutv for a siiiii'le day duriiiii,- his entire service, 
except ui)oii the occasion of a fnrloiia,li of fifteen days which he 
secured in 1S(»4 by reason of his cleanliness and tidiness in o-eneral 
excellence as a soldier, the fnrlouchs during that winter havino- been 
granted to enlisted men for the most i)art upon competitive exam- 
ination. 

The incidents in the life of E Company, as here recorded are 
few and fragmentary. The company, however, had the usual diver- 
sity of characters in its ranks and quite as great variety of life and 
incident as are more fully descril>ed in the history of other com- 
panies. These characters, if portrayed, and these incidents, if de- 
tailed, would have added materially to the interest and zest of this 
story; but it has been difficult, for some reason, to secure the hearty 
co-operation of the surviving officers and men of the company, 
through ni<)d(>sty or a failure to ap]n-eciate the value of their liel]) 
ii. the effort to worthily transmit to posterity what the fathers and 
grandfathers of many who shall read these pages did as individuals 
to make their country harmoniously united. 

Captain Sutton preserved the muster rolls of the com])any with 
great care and they have furnished many reliable data upon which 
what has been been written is based. Tra\is, who left the company 
in the fall of 1863 to become Ca})tain in a colored regiment; De- 
vinney, who was promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant in May, 1804; 
liaughman, who was mustered out as the First Sergeant of the com- 
))<uiy ; 1). C. Law and a few others have furnished more or less of 
assistance in the preparation of the story ; but, as they read these 
lines, they will realize, as the memories of the past come crowding 
upon them and the incidents in the life of their company and of the 
individuals who composed it are found to b(> wanting, how little has 
been done in this direction. Charlie Law, Clarence Barr of New 
Mexico, Tommy McKlwee and many others who are living could 
have furnished many additional incidents but it has been impossible 
to secure their co-operation. 

At the reunion of our Regiment, at wbicli the preparation of 
this History was finally determined, no one who attended seemed to 
be in better health and spirits than Lewis A. Welch. He told the 



THE i^STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 669 

Colonel, witli great gusto, at the preliminary greetings of the sur- 
vivors of the Regiment, how in camp at Stevensbiirg, in the winter, of 
1863-1864, taking advantage of the (V>lonel's well known punctilious 
cjire to return the salute of a sentinel, although not required by strict 
military etiquette to do so, he presented arms to him as he came 
around his tent with an arm load of wood for the open fire which 
was maintained in a brick chimney built against the side of the tent. 
As he anticipated, the Colonel threw do^vn the wood, straightened 
himself up, acknowledged the salute and then gathered up the wood 
and disappeared within his tent, either laughing to himself at the 
manner in which the sentinel had "done him" or muttering male- 
dictions upon his head for a too literal compliance with instructions. 
Whatever the feelings of the Colonel may have been, Welch was 
greatly pleased at the success of his stratagem, distinctly remembered 
it after nearly forty years and hilariously enjoyed the telling of it. 

Having a sister living at Salona, some twenty miles from 
Bellefonte where the reunion occurred, Welch went there to visit her 
in the evening of the same day upon which he related this incident. 
He had scarcely entered her house and saluted the members of the 
family, when he succumbed to an attack of some heart trouble t(^ 
which he was subject. His tragic death cast a gloom over the suc- 
ceeding sessions of the reunion and his comrade, Charlie Law, whose 
aid he had invoked in case anything should happen him, conveyed 
his body to his home. 

Whatever this story may lack in details and however imperfect 
and insufficient it may be, let it be understood that the men of the 
c<.impany of whom it is written were no whit inferior to those of 
other companies whose his,torians have written more fully of the 
life, character and sendees of their comrades, dead and living, and 
did no less than others to round out, in its full proportions, the life 
aiid character of that solicl military entity, the 148th Regiment, of 
which each company was a necessary integral part. 



THE STOKY OF Y COMPAiS^Y. 

This story is based, for the most part, upon information fnr- 
nished by Lieut. William Lucas, Sergeants BuiTell, William J. 
Mackey, Martin H. Mackey and John M. English and Corporal 
Henry Heaton. They were all original members of the company 
and served for the most part thronghont the entire War and what is 
herein contained came within the personal experience or recollection 
of some one or more of them. The facts and incidents are, therefore, 
vouched for by reliable authority and upon personal observation. 

F was the only one of the Centre County companies which, in 
its original organization and makeup, drew upon any other county 
of the state for any considerable contribution of men. Its organiza- 
tion was peculiar and was not finally effected until its different con- 
stituent elements were brought together in Camp Curtin in Harris- 
burg. 

One portion of the company was enlisted under the direction of 
Martin Dolan, who kept a tavern at Central City near the Milesburg 
T^ailroad Station. His recruits were drawn from the Snow Shoe 
region and the part^s adjacent to Milesburg. Another squad was re^ 
cruited at Potters Mills by William P. Wilson ; another at Spring 
Mills by James Duncan and yet another from Stone Valley in Hunt- 
ingdon County by Geo. W. Steffey. All these were combined, and 
with a considerable sqiuid from Cameron and Elk Counties, enlisted 
by D. C. Freeman, constituted Company F of the 148th Regiment. 

Wilson was a brother-in-law and private secretary to Governor 
Ciirtin but was desirous of entering the military service. He, there- 
fore, came to his old home at Potters Mills and began the enlistment 
of a company. A, C, D and G companies had all been enlisted for 
the most part from Penns Valley and recruits were, therefore 
scarce. He secured, however, the enlistment of a number of men 
al)it\it I'dltcrs Mills and, willi these, those who had lieen enlisted by 
Duncan at Spring Mills were combined. 

William O. Steffey had been a student at Pine Grove Academy. 
Wiien the enlistment of the students of the Academy and others in 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIA VOLUNTEERS 671 

tJie neighborhood for a company began, he went home and enlisted 
a number of vonng men in his neighborhood, expecting to join Pro- 
fessor Thomas' company and secure a commission therein. When he 
returned, however, a consolidation having been formed by 
Captain Musser, of lower Penns Valley, and Professor Thomas, of 
Pine Grove Mills, he found the company practically filled and no 
vacancy for him as a Lieutenant. The result wias that he finally 
united with the squads enlisted by Dolan and Wilson. When these 
different contingents were combined and assembled at Harrisburg, 
the company was still short of its maximum. 

Steffey enlisted about fifteen men. Several of them — notably 
James B. Irvin who went into G Company, joined other companies, 
but nine, including himself, marched to Milesburg and united with 
Dolan. These were James E. Fleming, captured during tbe cam- 
paign of 1804; was a prisoner at Salisbury, ISTorth Carolina; died 
there December 28, 1864, and buried. Martin T. Irvin, promoted 
to Corporal April 26, 1864; killed at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 
1864. David Irvin wounded at Po River, May 10, 1804; mustered 
out with company June 1, 1865; subsequently died; buried at 
Steffeysville, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. David J. Little, 
absent ; sick at muster out of company ; subsecpiently discharged f roi^i 
hospital; died in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he is buried. Wil- 
liam H. Lightner, transferred to (~^ompany C, 9th Regiment Veteran 
Reserve Ct)rps September 12, 1863, diseharge<l June 26, 1865 ; 
living near Petersburg, Pennsylvania. William Miller, captured 
August 25, 1864, at Reams Station; exchanged November 30, 1864; 
mustered out with company June 1, 1865 ; since died. William O. 
Steffey captured at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863 ; died m 
prison at Richmond, Virginia, Januai*y 16, 1864; buried in National 
Cemetery at Richmond. George W. Steffey, wounded at Spotsyl- 
vania May 12, 1864; promoted to Corporal May 16, 1865; mustered 
out with company; living in Michigan. George M. Steffey, killed 

I at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863; buried in National 
Cemetery there; and Samuel Stair promoted to Corporal September 
11, 1864, to Sergeant May 16, 1865; mustered out with company; 
livino- at Newport, Perrv Countv, Pennsvlvania. 



672 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

D. C. Freeman, who had belonged to the first rifle regiment, 
kuown as "The Bucktails," had been wounded in the knee and had 
been discharged in consequence of it, attempted to enlist recruits 
for his old regiment. He was in Harrisburg with a squad of men 
who had been recruited bv him in the counties of Cameron and Elk, 
and was on the way to join the regiment at the iront. Being disap- 
pciuted as is supposed as to the recognition which his efforts at recruit- 
ing would receive in his old regiment, he made an arrangement with 
Dolan and Wilson by which he was to join them in the organization 
of their company and become its Second Lieutenant. 

From this combination resulted Company F, and the oflicers^ 
without any election by the men, became Martin Dolan, Captain; 
William P. Wilson, First Lieutenant, and David C. Freeman, Second 
Lieutenant. 

It will thus be seen that at least four counties of the common- 
wealth sent of their citizens to the organization of F Company, 
although it was counted as a Centre County company and is always 
so referred to in counting the seven Centre County companies which 
entered into the organization of the Regiment. The company left 
]\iilesburg, August 28th. 

Among the men enlisted by Freeman were some of those best 
k);own in the Regiment. The English boys, as they were called, 
Sylvester A. and John M., both now living in C^anieron Comity, be- 
came Sergeants and did much, in every way to promote the efficiency 
of the company and did credit to the Regiment. Sylvester was in 
every battle in which the Regiment was engaged, and although 
actively participating, received his wounds in his cldtliing and across 
one of his hands, so that he was never disabled or nntirted for duty 
thereby. John M. English was proibably as well known in the Regi- 
ment an any other enlisted man in it. Always cheerful and ready for 
duty and, whilst full of mischief and spirit, nevertheless took a 
serious view of duty and was a splendid example of what has some- 
times been characterized as the "thinking bayonet." He wants it 
to be understood that he is ''enj(\ving life as never l>efore, just as 
young as when the rebs charged his little fort in front of Petersburg," 
elsewhere spoken of. He was woimded at Spotsylvania, and al- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLf^JNU VOLUNTEERS 673 

tlioug'h for a time disabled, returned to the Regiment to receive liis 
promotions and render excellent service. He is now serving faith- 
fully and zealously in that other army whose roll is to be ''callerl 
up yonder." 

With these were Albert Lord, still living at Cameron, Penn- 
sylvania, but almost blind ; Inman A. Hallet, who, after his retv 
from the War, went to Oil City and died there ; William B. Phelps, 
who was promoted to Sergeant and died in consequence of wounds 
received at Po River; James S. Riley, known as the "Wild Irish- 
man," became a Corporal, returned with his company and went ti.> 
Bradford, Pennsylvania, where he married, and John H. Smith, 
better known as "Little John," who w^as about sixteen when he en- 
listed. At Harrisburg, when his name was called for examination, 
Phelps answered to it and in that way John, who was fearful of 
his being accepted, slipped through. One of his comrades says of 
him, ''A better soldier was not in the company than 'Little John'." 
At the battle of Grettysburg he was very lame, one of his feet being 
so sore that he could scarcely walk, (^aptain Dolan re])eatedly 
asked him to go to the rear but he said, "iS[o, Captain, if there is to 
be a battle, I want to be there." He went through all right until the 
great charge of May 12th at Spotsylvania, where he disappeared, 
and was never heard of afterwards. 

There were also James Dent, who returned with the company, 
and went to the far West ; John Stringf ellow, a noble fellow and a 
brave soldier who became a Corporal, was wounded at Reams Sta- 
tion and lay inside the enemy's lines all night, was found the next, 
day and brought off by his companions; Ira Johnson died in the 
hospital after entering into active service, as did also Charles Dun- 
lap. Alexander Creighton was killed at Gettysburg, while the Regi- 
ment was supporting batteries in its front A piece of shell struck 
him in the head and killed him instantly. He was buried on the field 
by his comrades and his grave is now in the itTational Cemete"!^)'. 
Christ Havenei- was also wounded at the same time. He was after- 
wards captured at Reams Station August 25, 1864, was exchanged 
March 1, 1865, and discharged after the muster out of the Regiment. 
Subsequent to the War, he resided in Clinton County. James O. 



674 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

•Jordan contracted disease soon after his enlistment and was dis- 
charged March 30, 1863. He is now living near Driftwood, Penn- 
s-y]\-ania. 

On the farm of Perrv John Lncas, in Snow Shoe Township, ai 
the head of some of the tribntaries of the West Branch of the Sns- 
qnehanna, in the heart of the Allegheny Mountains, from which the 
white pine timber was then rapidly disappearing and has now prac- 
tically entirely disap}>eared, there occurred in the early part of Aug- 
ust, 1862, a neighborhood frolic known as a log rolling, to which 
young and old had gathered. They were there to help the neighbor 
who was clearing his land to roll the logs in heaps and fire them, 
preparatory to preparing the ground for "seeding." Into the midst 
of the cheerful, hard-working company came Martin Dolan, of Mile^- 
burg, announcing the call by the President for men to recruit the 
Armies of the Union. 

The disastrous Peninsular Campaign had ended and the Army 
of the Potomac was being transported to tlie front of Washington. 
There was no time for delay and Dolan, with his genial manner and 
impressive Irish brogue, soon interested the party and announced to 
them his intention of recruiting men for a company whicli lie was 
endeavoring to raise and which was to rendezvous at his tavern at 
Milesburg. His voice was encouraging, his manner persuasive and 
the patriotic instincts of many there were stirred by his appeals. 
The result was that on leaving the log rolling he was followed, in a 
few days, from there by a number of recruits for his company. 

Among them was William Lucas, a young man scarcely more 
than sixteen who had been in the military service in what was known 
as the "three months service" at the beginning of the War. He had 
some knowledge of tactics and, when the recruits reached Dolan's 
tavern, at which they found eight or ten others already assembled, 
he was put in charge of the entire squad as acting First Sergeant. 
He called the roll morning and evening and exercised whatever of 
military constraint and control was needful. He also aided in enlist- 
ing recruits in the immediate neighborhood. 

Assisting in this service were Austen C. Iddings and William 
Harper, both of whom were endeavoring to secure some position in 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 675 

the company or in the Regiment with which it was to be connected, 
the intention being to recruit a full company in that neighborhood. 

Before this was accomplished, however, urgent word came to 
Dolan to report with the men already enlisted at Harrisburg, inas- 
much as the Regiment to which the company was to be attached was 
forming and his presence there was urgently needed. This urgency 
disarranged the plans of those who had united in efforts to fill the 
nucleus of the company to its maximum and the recruits, about 
thirty in number, went to Harrisburg by way of Lock Haven, using 
wagons to that point and going thence by rail. 

Among those who went were Iddings and Harper, who, on 
reaching Harrisburg and finding that the company was not full and 
that it would require a combination to complete its organization, and 
finding further that there was no place for them, as they had ho|>ed 
among its officers, returned home, not without a determined effort, 
however, to secure some position which they regarded as justly due 
them, in view of the services which they had previously rendered in 
securing the recruits which had been accepted as Dolan's qviota in 
the make-up of the company. 

Dolan had no military experience whatever and very little apti- 
tude for command and was, therefore, glad to leave his squad, upon 
its arrival at Harrisburg, in the hands of Lucas who marched it to 
Camp Curtin, secured tents and other camp requisites and provisions 
and established the squad in comfortable quarters. Wilson's squad 
reached Harrisburg by way of wagons from Penn's Valley to Lewis- 
town and thence by rail. Dolan was, of course, glad to make a com- 
bination with him, inasmuch as it was likely, by reason of his knowl- 
edge of affairs at Llarrisburg and close personal and family connec- 
tion with the Governor, he would be enabled to prepare the way for 
harmonious organization of the company and the commissioning of 
its officers and secure recruits to fill it to the maximum. 

When the final arrangements were made and the consolidation 
effected, young Lucas, still adting, altliough not actually appointed, 
as First Sergeant, was somewhat surprised one evening, before the 
Regiment was fully organized, to find a stranger, with the regulation 



676 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

clievroii> of a First Seri>'eaiit, callint>' tlie roll in the company street. 
Xo explanation was made to him and he quietly found a place in the 
ranks and, although somewhat humiliated, prepared to serve as a 
private. The stranger Avas George T. (^irvan who had notenlisted 
in the company but had come either witli the Boalsburg company or 
had found his way into cam]i in some other way. Several years after 
the War Lieutenant Colonel McFarlane, who was then living in Belle- 
font© called Lucas into his place of business and explained what until 
that time had been a mystery to him. Curvan, it seems, was from the 
Colonel's neighborhood and he desired to give him a place which he 
was not able to find for him in the company which he had brought 
from home. In the unorganized condition of what was afterwards F 
Company, it was easy to have Curvan named as First Sergeant and, 
at Colonel McFarlane's request, this was done. He acknowledged 
that it had been a mistake and that he very much regretted it, say- 
ing to Lucas, *'I played you a mean trick and am sorry for it." Lucas 
expressed like sorrow but, so far as he was concerned, no protest had 
ever been made and he began in the ranks, rising grade by grade, 
serving as a CV^rporal with the color guard upon its organization 
after his first ])romotion, until he reached the position which should 
have been his at tho outset, and was promoted to First Lieutenant 
May 15, 186."), was for a considerable time in command of his com- 
pany during the time Captain Breon was a prisoner and was mus- 
tered out with the company. 

The final consolidation of the various elements which composed 
the company was not made until after (^olonel Beaver arrived and 
took command of the Kegiment. It was su])|>osed by some of the men 
of Freeman's s(piad that it wa^s through the influence of the Colonel 
that Froemau was induced to uuikc the combination which resulted 
in the final organization of the company l)ut this does not seem to be 
borne out l>y tlu' facts. At all events, the organization of the com- 
|)any was completed the day before the Kegimenit left Harrisburg 
and went, witJi full ranks and a full com]>lemen't of officers, Septem- 
bei' nth, to (\x'keysvil]e and was o\w of tlu^ conijianies which went 
into camp at Cockeysville. the head(|uarters of the T\egiment. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 677 

The life of the c(nn])iaii_v was much the same as that of other 
companies in camp at (^ockeysville. The boys of F Company were 
rather enterprising' and soon became acquainted in the neiohborhood, 
frequenting- a little village two or three miles below C^ockeysville, 
known as Texas, consisting of a tavern and a grou]) of honses in the 
neighborhood of the celebrated lime quarries of that region. The 
company soon learned that however its Captain might be deficient 
in military knowledge and ability to enforce military discipline, the 
Colonel was not only never tired but seemed to be ubiquitous ipid the 
impression generally prevailed that he knew every uuni in the Regi- 
ment, could call him by name and knew more of his daily habits 
than some of them cared to have known. It is possible that in this 
they might have been mistaken but, from the Coloneil's knowledge 
of what every man in the company did and of those who visited 
Texas and other places in the neighborhood, as communicated to the 
Capltain in rather vigorous style, there was good ground for believing 
that liitle went on in the Regiment which was not in some way 
brought to the attention of its commanding officer. 

One of (the members of the company was William Miller, fa- 
miliarly known as "Billy." He had a brother living in the neighbor- 
hood of Cockeysville who came to our camp, after we settled there, 
in search of his brother. Billy recognized him, although they had 
not mot for several years. He, of course, invited his brother to visit 
him but Billy hesitated about going, unless he could be accompanied 
by some of his comrades. Axi invitation was, therefore, extended to 
three of his companions to go with him and take dinner with the 
brother's family. The prospect, of a good square meal was very en- 
ticing and all accepted. The Miller homestead was found after con- 
siderable difficulty, the distance from camp being somewhat great, 
but the party arrived before dinner and, the brother being well to 
do, the members of F Company who were thus favored had an enjoy- 
able time. Not only did they get a good dinner, but Miller's daugh- 
ter, who was a bright, intelligent young woman, was a good musician 
and contribuited much to the enjoyment of the visit. 

The family were Southern in their sentiments and their sym- 
pathies, therefore, were Avith the Confederate cause. They treated 



678 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

our soldiers royally, however, and, inasmuch as Billy could not 
write, they insisted that some one of the party should write and 
keep them informed of the health and fortunes of their kinsman. 
The names of those who accompanied Miller on this trip were J. 
A. Sankey, Stephen Kennelly and William Lucas. It was voted 
unanimously that Kennelly should be the correspondent and he faith- 
fully discharg-ed the duties imposed upon him until he was killed 
at Po River May 10, 186-1. 

It then fell to the lot of Sergt. Jeremiah Asher Sankey to take 
Kennelly's place, who at the time of his death was a Corporal in the 
company. The correspondence continued as before and was kept 
up by Sankey until March 25, 1865, when, having been promoted 
as Lieutenant, he fell mortally wounded on the front line and was 
carried back and died three days thereafter. 

Sankey's death was communicated to the Miller family by 
Lucas who took Sankey's place as correspondent and continued to act 
in that capacity until the close of the War. 

Miller was taken prisoner at Reams Station August 25, 1864, 
was released about the last of ISTovember, 1864, returned to the com- 
pany and was mustered out with it. 

Anticipating a move before Christmas, many friends of the 
men of the company sent their Christmas contributions of provisions, 
such as could not be had from the commissary and of toilet and other 
conveniences which could not be secured from the Quartermaster's 
departments early in the month. Before leaving Cockeysville, what 
was known as "a box from home," containing provisions and other 
things, came to Lucas. In the same mess with him at the time was 
Elias Boyer who was one of the "characters" of the company. Being 
on picket or camj) guard when the box arrived, the other members of 
the mess dined upon a ])art of its contents, among which was a 
fine roast turkey. In order to have as much enjoyment out of it 
as possible, but one side of it was carved in the first attack upon it. 
When Boyer returned, he was informed of the fact of the arrival of 
the box and that he should go into the tent and help himself. He came 
out in due time, complacently rubbing himself, remarking upon the 
splendid dinner he had had and proceeded to enjoy his smoke. When 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 679 

the other fellows entered the tent, not a. scrap of the turkey was left. 
Every bone had been picked clean and the anticipations of a meal 
for the next day were speedily dissipated. Pies, cakes, jellies and 
whatever else the box contained had no charms for Boyer. 

In the midst of the enjoyment of delicacies from home and 
when onr winter quarters were well in hand and almost ready for 
oc'cupancy, marching orders came. When tents and our company 
property were all ready for transportation by rail, a number of the 
fellows of F Company paid a final visit to their friends in Texas, 
in order to bid them good-bye. Everything was lovely, so far as the 
bc'ys were concerned, but the landlord, heretofore referred to, rather 
objected to our familiarity with his eatables and drinkables. He 
cr.me to camp the next morning, our departure being delayed for 
Ir.ck of tranportation, and made complaint to the Colonel. Numerous 
complaints of the other kind had previously been made of the land- 
lord's disposition to accommodate the fellows with what the Colonel 
thought they were better without and, when he made his complaint, 
it is hard to tell who got the worst scolding, the landlord or the boys. 
The ride to Baltimore, our cordial treatment at the Union Relief 
Station, the march across the city from Calvert Street Station to 
the B. & O. Railroad, the delay in Washington and the march down 
the eastern side of the Potomac to Liverpool Point and thence across 
the river to Acqnia Creek and on to Falmouth have been spoken 
of elsewhere and these need not be repeated, as the experiences were 
practically the same in F as in the other companies of the Regiment. 
It is likewise needless here to repeat the experiences immediately 
following the assigniment of the Regiment to the First Brigade, 
First Division, Second Army Corps, and of the erection of winter 
quarters which have been told with more or less detail in a number 
of the other stories. 

The company was perhaps impressed with the frequency and 
constant repetition of battalion drills as being unnecessarily burden- 
some, but we soon learned that these were essential not only to the 
training of the Regiment but to the development of the physique of 
the men and to familiarize them with battalion movements and inci- 
dentally with the more elementary details of the school of the soldier. 



680 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Xo company perhaps needed these more than F Company, inasmuch 
as Lieutenant Wilson was detailed for much of the winter as Adju- 
tant in the absence of Adjutant Lipton who was home sick, Lieuten- 
ant Freeman w^as lame and, as already intimated, the Captain not be- 
ing well versed in military affairs, g-ave but little attention to com- 
pany drill. This being true of some other companies may possibly 
account for the insistence and j>ersist©nce of the Colonel not only in 
the prolonged battalion drills but in the unusual attention to manual 
of arms and other simple movements which could be secured at the 
daily dress parade. 

During this winter in camp, Lieutenant Freeman resigned and, 
on the same day. Sergeant Curvan was promoted to Second l^rieuten- 
ant in his place, Sergeant Breon, who afterwards became Captain 
of the company, being made First Sergeant a few days later. This 
made a vacancy to Avhich William Lucas was appointed. 

As compared with the regiments of our Division which had been 
through the Peniusnlar camimign and had taken part in the 
battles of Antietam and Fredericksburg, ours looked like a brigade 
but, after details for all the various purposes for wdiicli men were 
detailed and after the epidemic of sickness whieli prevailed during 
the winter, our ranks became much reduced by the time sprijig 
opened and the Chancellorsville campaign began. 

We moved with the Regiment to Chancellorsville and had some 
part in the battle. 

In the preliminary movements, while the Regiment was drawn 
up in line. Major Fairlamb asked William Perry, an old woodsman 
from Snoe Shoe how he liked it. A stray shot was at the time com- 
ing occasionally from the front but no enemy in sight. Perry said, 
"Well, Major, to stand hero and l>e shot at and darsent shoot back. 
I be d — d if 1 like it." Perry was standing at the time with gun 
in hand and eyes intently peering to the front. He looked as if he 
was standing on the banks of the Susquehanna waiting for a deer to 
come down. 

We finally found ourselves on the picket line in front of the 
line of battle, facing towai-d Fredericksburg. Perry and the rest 
of us had plenty of occupation after being deployed as skirmishers. 



^- ', ««is>*M»*!«»' 




\ 



lUL 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 681 

The Johnnies were very alert but at the same time very carefiil. 
Lucas and John English finally succeeded in manoeuvring one of 
them from behind a big tree from which the combined effort of both 
failed to dislodge him for a long time. It did look during this en- 
counter as if one Confederate man was a match for at least two 
Yankees. If John should ever see this he will certainly recall the 
incident. 

Col. Nelson A. Miles, who was officer of the day and in charge 
of the picket line, was wounded during the day and, when he left the 
field, there did not seem to be anyone to take his place. Our line 
became separated and Captain Weaver, of our Regiment, who was in 
charge of our part of it, in some way received an intimation by, an 
Orderly or Aide of General Hancock that the line should be with- 
drawn. How it was accomplished some of us have never quite under- 
stood but we finally withdrew by the left flank and the next morning 
were enabled to rejoin the Regiment or rather that part of it which 
remained after the terrible Sunday's fight in which the companies 
which remained by the colors were frightfully decimated, the Colonel 
being among the severely wounded. 

We recrossed the river, returned to our old camp and had no 
unusual experiences until the march for Pennsylvania began in 
June. The details of this march have been told in so many ways 
that the story is quite familiar and our part of it need not be par- 
ticularly recited. 

On the march, a mule having become swamped and being un- 
able to extricate itself, the boys stepped upon it as they went along. 
John English, who Avas always ready for anything, slipped a car- 
tridge into his gun, applied its muzzle to the ear of the mule and 
ir was soon out of its misery. Colonel McFarlane, who was ccfai- 
manding the Regiment in the absence of the Colonel, who had been 
wounded at Chancellorsville, rode back and inquired, as was usual 
in such cases, who "vvas guilty of such a breach of discipline. No 
reply was made, of course, everybody was entirely ignorant of what 
had happened, the Colonel failed to find who was the guilty party 
and rode again to the front. 

During the most of the march from Falmouth to Gettysburg, the 



682 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

men were entirely ignorant of their destination. Some time before 
reaching Pennsylvania, however, we learned that the Army was likely 
to be concentrated in our native state and, when we crossed tlie line be- 
tween Maryland and Pennsylvania, which was plainly discernible 
by the difference in the character of the buildings and farm im- 
provements, there was a general shout of joy. We made a great 
march the day before reaching Gettysburg, coming within supporting 
distance of that portion of the Army already there late in the even- 
ing. Firing began early the next morning and before we had be- 
come fairly engaged we met our first loss in that battle, the first man 
killed in our company being Alexander Creighton. 

During the afternoon of the 2d, as is well known, we moved 
to the left from the position occupied in the morning, without counter- 
marching, and were, therefore, left in front. When brought into 
line, the rear rank was in front, and although the firing was heavy, 
we counter-marched, in order to secure our ordinary formation. Thia 
was done in fine style, although under a heavy fire. We then charged 
through the wheat field and finally drove the enemy from the stion'e 
fence beyond it. When our company crossed this wall several of the 
Confederates threw down their arms and surrendered. 

A day or two previously on the march two of our company had a 
dispute over the ownership of a tin cup, each one claiming it. The 
Captain was called upon to settle the dispute but didn't succeed in 
determining finally to whom the cup belonged. After crossing this 
fence, however, the Captain, who was very cool and unconcerned 
under fire, spied some tin cups lying around loose and called out in 
a loud voice, "Here, any of you fellows that hasn't a tin cup come 
and get one and don't bo fightin' about them hereafter." Tt didn't 
sound so laughable under the circumstances which surrounded us at 
the time but we had many a laugh over it afterwards. 

We held the position gained until after dark and were relieved 
by other troops, going back to the point from which we had been 
moved to assist in the attack of the afternoon. 

Our company suffered heavily in killed and wounded, some also 
being taken prisoners, among the killed being Corporal William H. 
Eurrell and George M. Steffey ; among the wounded, John D. Lucas, 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 683 

Jeremiah McKinley, William Perry and others not now recalled, 
and among those taken prisoners, William O. Steffey. 

After regaining our old position, a detail was made for picket 
duty, the line being established about forty rods to our front. There 
had been heavy fighting there during the day and our pickets found 
the dead thickly strewn over the field, the Regiment which occupied 
that part of the field, as indicated by their caps, being the 111th 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. In the stillness of the night, the cries of 
the wounded which could be distinctly heard, asking for water or 
calling "Motlier," were very pathetic; but, when morning came and 
the sharpshooters opened upon our line when anyone moved and 
particularly later on when the forces on both sides became more 
active, tliese all ceased or were at least drowned in the noises of the 
conflict. 

Pickett's charge will be remembered by all who witnessed it 
from the position occupied by our Regiment. It was not specially 
directed toward the point which we occupied but we were able to get 
in some work on the flank of the supporting columns. 

Little was done on the 4th of July, except to bury the dead, 
for which we had a detail, but we were held in readiness for any 
movements which might occur and were, therefore, kept in line. 

After recrossing the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, on the march 
through the Ix)udon Valley, blackberries were very abundant, and 
the doctor having recommended them as a desirable change in the 
diet of the Regiment, we availed ourselves of the liberty which was 
thus given to skirmish through the blackberry patches which were 
so numerous in our front and on our flanks. 

We followed Lee leisurely for some time and finally, in August, 
reached the camp near Morrisville, Virginia, where we "dug a well," 
laid out a pleasant camp and had quite a restful time after the 
fatigues of the campaign. Colonel Beaver had returned in the mean- 
time and things were lively in the effort to put the Regiment in 
good shape for any demands which might be made upon it. 

About this time (September 8th) Captain Dolan resigned and 
left the Army, Captain Wilson being promoted to the captaincy ; but 
as he was then serving on the division staff. Lieutenant Breon, who 



684 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

had been promoted to First Lieutenant, was in command of the com- 
pany, and after Wilson's appointment in the Regular Army, 
Breon received the promotion to Captain to which he was richly 
entitled and which he had earned by faithful service and conspicuous 
gallantry. These changes opened the way for the promotion of Wil- 
liam Lucas to First Lieutenant, whose recollections constitute the 
bulk of this story of the company. 

To return to the fall of 1863, however, after taking part in the 
retrograde movement from Culpeper to Bull Bun and back and after 
the unfortunate Mine Run campaign, we built and occupied what 
was undoubtedly the best camp we ever had and was one of the 
finest anywhere to be found in the Army. It was laid out on a 
generous scale, was thoroughly ditched, had sidewalks of puncheons 
in all the company streets and in front of the quarters of the line 
officers and also of the field and staff. The ground was not naturally 
well suited for a camp, being rather low ; but, by digging the ditches 
deep, it became well drained and in time became a desirable and 
comfortable camp. The men's quarters were of logs, ^t uniform 
size, having a door at one end and a fire-place at the other, with 
bunks at the sides. 

A notable mess was that composed of the English boys, Phelps 
Hinton and Lucas. The neighborhood was thoroughly ransacked 
for cooking conveniences and this mess secured a large skillet, bought 
from a woman in the neighborhood with the understanding that it 
was to be returned in the spring after the camp was broken up. 

Many recruits came to the Regiment during this winter and 
the time sped rapidly in instructing them in all the duties of a 
soldier, the old men, of course, holding themselves as instructors 
and giving many lessons, which were probably not exactly according 
to tactics. 

We, of course, shared in all the inspections and reviews pre- 
paratory' to the great campaign of 1864. 

The Army was supplied as never before with clothing and arms 
and ainiuunition and, during the winter, was well fed with a greater 
variety of food and with a larger amount of vegetable diet than usual. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIA FOLUNTEERS 685 

The result was that, when the time for the spring movement came, 
all were in good trim and ready for the fray. 

We moved with our Brigade, crossing the Rappahannock and 
manoeuvring with the Regiment through the Wilderness and the 
skirmishes connected therewith until we came to Po River. Here 
we had a sad experience. In crossing the river, which was not wide 
but deep. Corporal David Irvin, Corporal Martin Irvin and Sergeant 
Lucas were together. On reaching the opposite bank, Martin was 
shot and severely wounded. His brother and Lucas took him to the, 
opposite bank but by the time they reached it he was dead. David 
was also wounded during this engagement. 

The following day, after manoeuvring for a position for the 
entire morning, a line was finally formed in the edge of a woods 
opposite a line of breastworks which had been thrown up earlier in 
the day and was then occupied by the Confederates. At the first 
volley, five of our company fell : First Sergt. Robert A. Henry, and 
Corp. Stephen Kennelly, being killed and three others wounded, 
among whom were Sergt. William B. Phelps and Corporal String- 
fellow. John Cooney being also wounded and captured, died in 
Richmond 19th of Jure following. 

During this engagement, William H. Berger, who was a substi- 
tute was severely wounded. His brother, Jacob, who was also one 
of the recruits received during the winter, was helping him back 
when Colonel Beaver gave his horse to carry William to the rear. 
On coming out of this engagement, Elias Boyer and Lucas 
were together when they came upon Major Fairlamb, whose horse 
had become mired on the bank of the river. The Major called to 
Boyer to shoot the horse but Boyer, who was in somewhat of a hurry, 
said he had had enough of shooting and passed on. The Major left 
the horse, crossed the river and the next morning his horse was in 
camp. 
I Our company also suft'ered severely in the charge at Spotsyl- 

I vania two days later. It is impossible to recall the name of all 
H the killed and wounded, but among the killed were Benjamin Little 
H and Luke McAbee, and among the wounded, Constantine Hinton and 
H David Specht and Jacob Weand who were drafted men. 

i 



686 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

It may be well to say here that the recruits who joined us 
during the winter of 1863-1864, whether drafted men or substitutes, 
after they became inured to camp life and familiar with the duties 
of a soldier, could with difficulty be distinguished from those who 
had been more than a year longer in service and who had had the 
vicissitudes of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run and all the 
experience in picket, skirmish and march which made them hardy 
veterans. 

Among the recruits thus received was a squad from Blair 
County, some of whose comrades became members of E Company. 
The following, however, all joined us and soon became efficient and 
reliable soldiers: George Cogan, transferred to Company G, 53d 
Kegiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Veterans, June 1, 1865 ; Michael 
Fox, transferred to same company, discharged June 24, 1865 ; Benja- 
min Hockenberry, who died at Washington, D. C, August 28th 
from wounds received at Deep Bottom, Virginia., August 16, 1864, 
buried in National Cemetery, Arlington; David Kennedy died May 
31st of wounds received at Spotsylvania, buried National Cemetery, 
Arlington; Nathaniel Miller, transferred to G Company, 53d Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer Veterans, June 1, 1865 ; Henry S. Nolder — 
erroneously spelled Nolden in Bates' History — transferred to Com- 
pany G, 53d Pennsylvania Volunteer Veterans, June 1, 1865. The 
fumily history of the latter is somewhat peculiar from the military 
standpoint. Hlis great-grandfather served under Napoleon ; his 
grandfather was in the War of 1812 from first to last; his father 
was in the Mexican War and also in the three months' service during 
the Rebellion ; a brother was killed at Antietam and a son served in 
the Army during the Spanish-American War. This record is cer- 
tainly worth preserving. 

At Cold Harbor, a portion of our company was on the picket 
line and, when the advance was made, we advanced as skirmishers 
and, when the line of battle had passed, we acted a^; ])rov()st gnard 

That was a battle indeed. We secured a position close to tlu' 
eiiCmy's lines and remained there intrenched for some twelve days 
and, after withdrawing, marched to the James River which wc 
cvopserl nnd cnntinnerl our mnrch to Petersburg, meeting with o 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 687 

warm reception from the Joliiinie^^, when we made our first charge 
on the eA^ening of the 16th of June. Colonel Beaver was among the 
wounded in this charge. Later in the evening we took an advanced 
position and, during the early part of the night our ammunition 
becoming exhausted, we were compelled to slacken our fire. The 
enemy, taking advantage of this, crawled up quite close and then 
made a rush for our line, part of which was captured, among the 
prisoners being Lieutenant Breon. The writer and others made their 
escape by running back in the darkness but fortunately in the right 
direction. 

In the first expedition to Deep Bottom, Sergeant David Burrell 
was severely wounded, in consequence of which he was discharged 
the following February. It is doubtful if he ever recovered entirely 
from this w^ound, although still living. 

We made a second expedition to Deep Bottom which has been 
elswhere described which seemed to us to be about as fruitless as the 
first, although both doubtless had their significance, at least in 
the minds of those who planned the campaign. In the latter expedi- 
tion our company lost Benjamin Hockenberry, a drafted man, who 
was wounded and died subsequently at Washington August 28th. He 
is buried in the National Cemetery at Arlington. 

Later in the summer we made our expedition for the destruc- 
tion of the Weldon Railroad which culminated in the disastrous 
battle of Reams Station August 25, 1864; but, before that occurred, 
v.f certainly did get our work in on the Weldon Railroad. After 
tearing up the road, the ties were piled in heaps and burned, and the 
rails, being placed crosswise upon them, were heated and then twisted 
and in many instances wound about trees. This was a new kind of 
warfare and made a decided impression upon our comrades; but 
perhaps nothing during that little campaign will be more enjoyably 
remembered than the green com which we were able to secure in 
■ abundance and Avhieh made a refreshing variety jn our diet. 

I The climax of this campaign was the disastrous battle at Reams 

H Station. Being interrupted in our work of demolishing the railroad 
H by the enemy who seemed to be in strong force, our line was 
H formed behind an embankment which served us as breastworks and 



688 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

preparations made for battle. Oiir Regiment was ordered to the 
front by Colonel Broady, 61st N^ew York Regiment, who was com- 
manding the Brigade, in order to develop the position of the enemy. 
We crossed the railroad, led by Captain Rhinehart, who was in 
command of the Regiment, but before we had fairly started Sergt. 
William J. Mackey was hit and knocked down, probably by a spent 
ball, for, after reviving, which was almost immediately, he continued 
with the company. 

We passed over the works, deployed as skirmishers and crossed 
a field grown up with pine bushes, with woods beyond. Before 
reaching the timber, we discovered the enemy was in force but 
pushed on and displayed the fact that there were several lines of 
battle. We fell back, of course, the enemy quickly following. While 
we were on the skirmish line. Colonel Beaver returned in an ambu- 
lance but, after relieving Colonel Broady of the command of the 
Brigade, was wounded and taken to the rear before we had the 
opportunity of seeing him. 

The enemv made a splendid assault which, under ordinary cir- 
cumstances, would have been undoubtedly repulsed but a new German 
regiment from Xew^ York which was on the left of our Regiment 
b7-oke and gave way and let the enemy in on our flank. This, of 
course, compelled us to fall back and form a new line, which we did 
and held it until night set in. This engagement was one of the most 
disastrous in which the Second Corps ever took part, but the details 
of it have been told elsewhere and it is not necessary to repeat tliem 
here. 

Among the casualties in our company were John Mills and 
William A. Parker wounded, and Albert Lord and William Miller 
captured. 

In September, 1864, we received our new seven-shooters. It is 
needless to say that not only because of the guns themselves but 
reason of the circumstances under which they were received, our 
Regiment being designated as the one in the First Division to re- 
ceive them, they were considered, as the boys expressed it, "dandies." 
Each man claimed his gun to be the best and when, a few days after 
receiving them, we were sent out to the front near one of the enemy's 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLVNTEER^ 689 

so-called farts, you would have thought a severe battle was on, every 
man being on the lookout for something at which to shoot. 

Pat McEntire was firing at a decoy that one of the Johnnies 
had pushed above the breastworks and, having exhausted his ammu- 
nition, was refilling the magazine, when he discovered John D. 
Lucas firing in the direction of his stuffed man. Pat, not knowing 
that it was a decoy, called out, "Dan, get a man of your own to shoot 
at; that one belongs to me." 

John English, thinking he had the best gun in the Reg;inient 
and desiring not to be idle, and being one of the best marksmen we 
had, saw a little knoll in front of our line. He concluded that he 
would crawl out to it, dig a little pit and there secure a better poir 
for observ^ation and at the same time screen himself from the fire 
cf the enemy and have a little fight on his own account. He reached 
the point, hollowed out a little place for his body and began opera- 
tions. The Johnnies, however, didn't seem disposed to fight fair 
and, seeing the fresh dirt and feeling the galling effect of John's 
fire, opened on his little individual fort with cannon. Their aim 
was good ; the first shot hit the mark, the shell exploded and John 
came tumbling back without the aid of stretcher bearers. He had re- 
ceived a very painful, although not a dangerous wound, a piece jf 
the shell catching him on the back near the cartridge belt and burning 
him badly. After the pain had ceased to some extent and he found 
he was not dangerously hurt, John went back to his little fort and 
held it in spite of the enemy. 

It was doubtless because of our superior arms and the facility 
which we soon acquired in handling them that a detail was made 
from our Regiment October 27, 1864, for an assault upon a fort in 
our front which occupied the ground known as the Crater, where 
what was known as the Bumside Mine was exploded in July. This 
assault and the wonderful success of it has been fully described in 
the story relating to it and in several of the other companies' stories, 
so that it will not be necessary to speak of it in detail. We had 
our share, however, in the detail and in the glory, and it is much to 
be regretted that the names of the men who were detailed from our 
company cannot be given with absolute certainty. 



690 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

The winter of 1864-1865 was full of activity and, although 
compelled to be on the alert at all times and under all circumstances, 
the marches were of no great length, the general feature of the cam- 
paign being the extension of our lines to our left so as to develop the 
Confederate position. The details have been given elsewhere and 
need not be repeated here. 

When the spring campaign opened, we moved and fought with 
the Regiment whose fortunes were linked with those of the First 
Division of the Second CoTpe as in other campaigns. 

At Gravelly Run the Regiment under Captain Sutton was un- 
usually successful, bringing in a large number of prisoners and some 
flags, and was complimented in orders by General Miles. 

At Five Forks, Corp. Isa P. Leightley, who was serving with 
the color guard, brougiit the colors oif the field after Corporal Shof- 
stall of E Company, who was carrying them that day, was killed. 
The Regiment was deployed and few, if any, left with the colors and 
but for Leightley they would doubtless have been lost. 

The details of this campaign, its triumphant close and the 
march back to Alexandria are told with so much particularity else- 
where that it is unnecessary for us to enlarge upon them here. 

After reaching Alexandria, Lieutenant Breon returned from 
prison in time to be mustered as Captain of the company before the 
final muster-out, which occurred at Harrisburg in the early part of 
June, three years lacking three months after our muster-in at the 
same place. 




LIEUT.-GOL. WM. P. WILSON 



THE 14STH PENNSYLFANIA VOLUNTEERS 691 



CAPT. WILLIAM POTTER WILSON. 

Captain Wilson's connection with F Company has been referred 
to in various ways in the story of that company bnt the most of his 
military career was apart from it and is, therefore, worthy of special 
notice here. 

He served as Adjutant during a portion of the winter of 1862- 
1863 during the absence of Adjutant Lipton on account of the sick- 
ness which resulted in his death. 

After the appointment of Sergeant Major Muffly as Adjutant, 
Lieutenant Wilson was detailed to serve upon the division staff. He 
was specially fitted for staff duty, by nature, education and training. 
He was descended from loyal Revolutionary stock, his mother being 
the granddaughter of Gen. James Potter who greatly distinguished 
himself during the Revolutionary struggle and was held in high re- 
gard by General Washington and who afterwards served as Vice- 
President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania under 
the Constitution of 1YY6. Captain Wilson had also, as previously 
stated, served as private secretary to Governor Curtin and had an 
extensive acquaintance. He was an intimate friend of Mitchell and 
Parker, both well known Pennsylvanians, who had come with Gen- 
eral Hancock from the Sixth Corps, and his detail, therefore, was 
not unnatural. He served on the division staff for a year or more, 
rendering conspicuous service at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. 

He was transferred to the corps headquarter staff before the 
campaign of 1864, in which capacity, in the campaign of the Wilder- 
ness and in th'e fight at Reams Station, he greatly distinguished 
himself, and for his services at the battle last named was specially 
mentioned in orders. 

After General Hancock left the Army of the Potomac, he was 
transferred to his staff by detail and was subsequently appointed 
Captain and Aide-de"Camp United States Volunteers. This latter 
appointment left the vacancy in his company which was filled imme- 
diately by the appointment of Lieut. Jacob Breon as Captain. 



692 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Captain Wilson was brevetted Major United States Volunteer-s 
December 2, 1864, for gallant services dnring the campaign beforr 
Richmond, Virginia, Lieutenant Colonel United States Volunteer? 
March 13, 1865, for services during the War, and Major United 
States Army March 2, 1807, for gallant and meritorious services in 
the battle of the Wilderness, Virginia. 

After the close of the Civil War, in July, 1806, he was ap- 
pointed Captain in the 21st Infantry United States Army and served 
therein for several years. 

In 1870 he was honorably discharged from the military service 
and for several years engaged in business pursuits. 

For two years prior to his death he suffered from an acute form 
of heart disease^ which required him to retire from all active partici- 
pation in business aifairs, and died at Warm Springs, Virginia, Aug- 
ust 6, 1880. 



THE STORY OF COMPANY G. 

Inttoductiou by the Editur 

The Union Army, as is well known, was noted for tlie intelli- 
gence of its soldiery. The 148th was a type of that class of regiments 
of which it has been said that in its field, staff, line and ranks might 
have been found men wlio could preside over a college, edit and 
print a newspaper, build a locomotive, construct and operate a 
telegraph line or. run a steamboat, while nearly every man was quali- 
fied to teach school. 

The Colonel was a college graduate and a practicing attorney. 
The author of the following story, Capt. James J. Patterson, of Com- 
pany G, was a. fine type: of the classically educated men of the Regi- 
ment. He was the son of John and Ellen Van Dyke Patterson, born 
in Philadelphia June 22, 1838. In his childhood he was taken to 
the old family home at Aoademia, Juniata County, Pennsylvania, 
where he spent his boyhood. His parents removed to Peru Mills, 
where he attained his miajority. After a preparatory course at Tus- 
carora Academy, in Septeanber, 1856, he entered Dickinson College, 
whence he was graduated in June, 1859. He became Principal of 
Boalsburg Aeadeimy in November following where he conducted a, 
highly successful work until August 5, 1862, when he felt it his duty 
to drop all else and take u^ arms in defense of his cauntry. The 
several stories of his company here following show his brilliant 
record as a soldier and his honorable discbarge from the service De- 
cember 4, 1864, on account of disability from wounds received at 
Petersburg June 16, 1864, attests the completeness of his most 
honorable service. 

Since the War Captain Pattei-son, after some years in other 
pursuits, resumed the profession of teaching and won high rank as 
an educator. He was successively Principal of Tuscarora: Academy, 
Dry Run and Airy View Academies and of the public schools at 
Mifflintown. At the latter place, while in the full tide of profes- 
sional success, his health failed and in June, 1894, he gave up the 
work and retired from the life of an active teacher and spent some 
time in the state of Nebraska. At Shaver, Boone County, Arkansas, 
in the picturesque Long Creek Valley, among the Ozarks, with 
health restored by the pure, life-giving air, he is spending his de- 
clining years as a farmer and stock grower. 

He was married December 8, 1863, to Elizabeth McFarlane 
Jack, flaughter of George Jack Esq., of Boalsburg. Four sons and 
five daughters have come to their home, of whom all survive but one 
dear boy. Now, grown to maturity and scattered over the various 



694 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

fields of their iudiistry and usefulness, they and their children arc 
wont, one by one, or in groups, to visit the mountain home and make 
glad the hearts of parents dear, who receive 'tliem ever with parental 
pride. 



THE STORY OF OOMPA^'Y G. 

By Capt. James J. Patterson. 

In tlie quiet little village of Boalsburg, situate at the foot of 
Tussy's Mountain, in her sister towns and villages and throughout 
those beautiful valleys with their rolling fields, deep shade, and 
crystal streams, beautiful as life's young dream, dwelt a people not 
inferior to any on earth in the true elements of sterling \TOrth. 

In love of country and love toward God, with all that these 
imply, they were stalwart and true. A brave, happy and good people 
were they : the climbing step of freedom had scanned the summits of 
those gi'and old mountains and the persistent hand of industry had 
made their valleys teem with the good things of life; their crop^ 
were bountiful, their orchards laden, their homes comfortable, their 
hearts were true. 

The matrons excelled in true womanhood, the home was their 
shrine; the discharge of duty both physical and moral was then- 
worship. The maidens, comely and truehearted, were worthy of 
their mothers. Bright little ones around the family board completed 
the happy home. The church bells were ever wont to give forth their 
peal and the hearts of the people to respond lx)th by word and act 
"Love to God and love to man." Let posterity read and note, let 
them look into the cradle in which was nursed our li]>prties, and 
see from what source has arisen its greatness — the Christian homo. 

Amid such surroundings, the soldiers of Company G werr 
roared. P)i)ni of such parcut-s, nursed amid siich Christian influences, 
they spent their early years nnd grew to maiilioo(!. liitegritv and 
honesty of pur]X)se were in tlicir every act. Patriotism was with 
them a directing force. In the ciaiii-j> \\w-\ were diligent, (ui the 
march enduring, in the light in\incil)U'. 

The spring and early summer of 1862 demonstrated the neces- 
sity of a greater force in the field, a force necessary to hold up tlie 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 695 

hands of those already at the front, a force competent to maintain 
the integTitv tif this Republic and all its beneficent institutions. 

With the call of the Presideiit for 300,000 men oame the con- 
viction of the dwellers in those beautiful valleys, in common with 
the country at large, that the time to act was now. The call came 
as a personal appeal to each and every one. In the schools, at the 
work shop, on the farm — everywhere it was seriously considered and 
promptly acted upon. The first steps toward the formation of Com- 
pany G of which the writer has any knowledge was on Saturday, 
August 2, 1862. The first public meeting in Centre County in 
which Company G was directly concerned was held at Boalsburg in 
the Old Stone Church, August 5th, although several had passed their 
word to each other and several had previously handed in their names 
to Captain McFarlane. 

The meeting was addressed by several persons, notably by that 
sterling old patriot and friend of every good work, the Hon. H. N. 
McAllister of blessed memory. The addresses were earnest and well 
directed and may have aided some to decide upon the path of duty ; 
the larger number had previously determined upon their course and 
took that as the occasion to enroll theiir names. Thirty-three names 
were enrolled in rapid order in the presence of grave and venerable 
men whose earnest looks and heaving breasts gave sanction to what 
was done. Those good old men were giving their sons u]X)n the altar 
of their country, and were solemnly consecrating them to the uphold- 
ing of its liberties and cherished institutions. Let them not be for- 
gotten when the story of the War is told. 

Robert McFarlane, late a Captain in the 7th Pennsylvania In- 
fantry three months service, deemed it his duty to accept the leader- 
ship in the enterprise of making up a company with headquarters at 
Boalsburg. The first conference of which the writer has any knowl- 
edge was on the evening of August 1, 1862, when several expressed 
their willingness to join in the movement. Alas ! Of that group of five 
persons who began the conference three lost their lives on the field, 
■ viz., Lieut. Samuel Everhart, Corp. George J. DufFv and Capt. Jacob 



696 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

On Saturday, August 2cl, the Captain began his enrollment 
with the names of Williiam Devore and William Baily and on Mon- 
day following eleven additional names were added, and it was 
deemed best that a number hold back for the meeting, at which the 
number was increased to forty -seven names. The eleven w-ere Lot 
E. Ivetner, George J. Duffy, Slamuel Everhart, Xathan E. Beans, 
Jackson Hartley, David W. Miller, George Glenn, Adams T. 
Murphy, Daniel G. Musser, Hiram Sweetwood and Samuel Webb, 
making with the Captain himself a nucleus of fourteen persons. 

On the 5th of August the principal of Boalsburg Academy* 
closed school with the announcement that duty called him to the 
front, whereupon one pupil after anotlier arose with the statement 
that he too had reached the same conviction. Then followed a scene 
over which memory loves to linger, but pen cannot describe, nor 
tongue express. When the heart is full men say what they feel and 
what they say is sacred. Similar scenes were enacted at Pine Grove 
and elsewhere wherever men were knit together by any common tie. 
After dismissal there was a general informal gathering in tlie shop 
of Jacob B. Edmonds, as true a patriot as ever loved his country or 
died in her service. The shop was thronged with young men and as 
they passed in and out, there was continually heard, "Yes, I am 
going." So upon the street and elseavhere. The first man the writer 
met as he entered the shop was that noble young man, Samuel Ever- 
hart, who with the grasp of the hand gave the greeting, ''I am with 
you." The comrades of Companies G and C of the Regiment know 
how well that most excellent soldier and warm hearted friend kept 
his word. No matter how hard the service, nor how perilous the 
duty it was always, "I am with you." And ever since his young life 
went out on the field of his glory and he has been sleeping "the years 
of his manhood away," his comrades cherish his memory. 

.Viiiong those wlio gathered in that jeweler's shop and who exerted 
themselves strongly in behalf of the company, in achlition to the watch- 
maker himself (Capt.) Jwcob B. Edmonds, were John W. Stuart, 
George J. Duify, Amos Myers, John Martz, James Shoon. Jackson 
Hartley, James A. Tlionipson ( M. D.). David Storer, Abraham 

*The Editor deems it proper to say th^t the principal referred to was Capt. 
James J. Patterson, who writes the story and who modestly withholds his identity. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIA VOLUNTEERS 697 

Koyer, Greorge W. Ishleir and others, and prominent among- tliem the 
Academy boys, Daniel S. Keller, Wm. C. Holahan, Samuel Everhart, 
Geo. K. Baker, Robert H. Patterson, Wm. S. Van Dyke, Isaac Lytle, 
Jacob B. Andrews, George W. Ishler, James M. Royer, James P. 
Odenkirk, Jacob Kreider and James M. Boal (who was rejected by 
the examining surgeon). Tn addition to those on the 2d and 4th, 
there was added August 5th, James J. Patterson, Jacob B. Edmonds, 
Isaac Lytle, John W. Stuart, Robert H. Patterson, James Shoop, 
James M. Royer, Abraham Royer, Henry C. Allen, Jacob B. An- 
drews, George K. Baker, Benj. F. Beans, William L. IJDttorrt", John 
Bowers, John Davison, Henry Eckinroth, John Gilbert, William C 
Holahan, James B. Irvin, William A. Ishler, William A. Jacobs, 
Daniel S. Keller, Anthony Knopp, George Koon, Sa.muel F. Lytle, 
James F. Martin, John Martz, David M. MoCool, David D. Mc- 
Ilhattan, John Meyer, Amos Myers, John Riley, William H. Swine- 
hart, James A. Thompson, William S. Van Dyke, raising the total 
to forty-seven. On AugTist 6th there was enlisted George W. Gil- 
bert, Thomas J. Lee, Samuel T. Reel, Daniel Royer and Samuel 
H. Snyder. On the 7th John H. Harpster, William McGuire, 
George W. Went, Brice D. Brisbin, Francis M. Hess, Samuel Kelly, 
Isaiah W. Marks and David Storer. August 8th William L. Taylor, 
Daniel Schreffler, John H. Allen, Benj. D. Condo, Charles M. 
Condo, Daniel Condo, Jared Condo, Jos. L. Harpster, Ithiel B. Sny- 
der, James A. Williams and John E. Youts. On the 9th, Thos. John- 
stonbaugh, Wm. Koonsman, George W. Mcllhattan, Reuben Reed, 
George W. Shafer and William A. Thompson. August 11th, Joseph 
l"'ox, Mathias Rider, Henry Fleisher, George W. Ishler, William 
A. Ishler, David Koonfier, Reuben Page, Alexander B. Ross, David 
W. Shires, Thomas Singleton, George W. Ward, William W. Wil- 
liams and George ^^^ Yarlett. August 12th, Valentine Benskotre, 
David H. Ileany (or Henney), James P. Odenkirk and William 
Wingart. August 13th, William I. Berry, Benjamin F. Dunkle and 
John H. Mover. August ir)th, Jonathan Hoffner. 

This list of names does not include the names enrolled who 
failed to pass the surgeon's examination, or those in excess of the 
maximum limit for a company — one hundred and one men. Those 



698 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

in excess were passed over to other companies, some of whom served 
in different regiments. The total enrollment was one hundred and 
thirty-five. The writer regrets that he has no data from which to 
give tlie names of these supernumerary men, the larger part of whom 
entered Company D, 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

August 13th the company rendezvoused at Boalsburg, formed 
line in the street to the number of one hundred and twenty-seven, the 
youth and vigor of the surrounding country. After an affecting 
leave-taking they were borne away in the carriages and wagons of 
their friends and kindred. There was a stop made at Potters Mills, 
where after being joined by the balance of the enrollment, the elec- 
tion of officers was held. Upon the counting of the ballots, it was 
disclosed that Robert A. McFarlane, under whom the initial move- 
ment 1o recruit a com^oany was made, was unanimously chosen Cap- 
tain, and by a vote almost unanimous James J. Patterson was made 
First Lieutenant and Jacob B. Edmonds Second Lieutenant. After 
the election a bountiful dinner was served by the good people of th^ 
community. After the dinner and good-bye the company proceeded 
over the mountains to Ijewistown and at 10 :30 p. m. took cars for 
Harrisburg. At 1 :30 a. m., August 14th arrived at that place and 
were marched to the State Capitol building and slept in the Senate 
chamber, Tn the morning marched out to Camp Curtin, that great 
rendezvous camp for the Pennsylvania soldiers. On the 15th the 
rolls of the men for official record were made. On the 16th the men 
passed the surgical examination ; but few were rejected. On the 
lYth the muster rolls were made out and the excess men were 
assigned to companies then forming in Centre County for the 148th 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. On the 18th the company was 
sworn into the United States service. After muster it remained in 
camp awaiting the arrival of the other companies which should con- 
stitute the Regiment. August 29th these companies began to arrive. 
Septeml>er Hth tlie enlisted men were paid their county bounty and 
enlistment ]>remium. Sej>tember 8th the Regiment was organized 
and in this organization the Boalsburg company became Company 
G of the 148tli Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. 



THE 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 699 

Captain McFarlane of Company G was made Lieutenant Coi 
onel, First Lieutenant James J. Patterson was made Captain, Sec- 
ond Lieutenant Jacob B. Edmonds was made First Lieutenant and 
First Sergeant Isaac Lytle was made Second Lieutenant. And for 
subsequent promotions see the "Company Roster." 

On the evening of September 9th took the cars and next morn- 
ing went into camp at Cockeysville, Maryland. The Regiment was 
stationed along the Northern Central Railroad to guard its track and 
bridges for a distance of about fifteen miles. Company G had its 
camp with Companies E and H at the Gunpowder bridge. This was 
a formative period for the Regiment. The companies were here 
trained in guard duty, and all the other duties that go to make up 
the effective Regiment. The company and Regiment left this first 
field of duty a well organized regiment, prepared to grapple with 
the foe with that confidence in themselves which is a long step toward 
victory. 

While the company lay at Gunpowder Bridge on the 21st of 
September, it met its first sad experience in the loss of life. Charles 
M. Condo, who enlisted from Milheim, Centre County, while bath- 
ing in Gunpowder Creek, was drowned. He was a young soldier of 
excellent promise. 

The Regiment left Cockeysville for the front December 9th, by 
the way of Baltimore and arrived at Washington, D. C, at 4:00 
A. M. on the llith and at 2 :00 p. m. began its first long march. The 
route was first parallel and not far from the Potomac River on the 
Maryland side, and on the 15th led across the river to the "sacred 
soil." On the 18th the Regiment reported to General Couch com- 
manding the Second Corps, Army of the Potomac, and henceforth 
the history of Company G and the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers 
is merged in that of that noted corps of the historic Army of the 
Potomac. The Regiment was assigned to the First Division, Gen. 
W. S. Hancock commanding, henceforth to be known by the proud 
title, "Hancock's men," with all that this implies in the light of sub- 
sequent events. 

This was a winter of training for the fighting of battles upon 
the result of which hung the destinies of this Republic and which 



700 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

stand today among the great battles of historv. "All quiet along the 
Potomac" so ignorantlv and ofttinios sneeringly quotes the ])seudo- 
hero who fights his battles safely distant by the fireside at home. 
Aye, the quiet that precedes the storm, but the camp life near Fal- 
mouth would better be compared to the industry of the hive before 
the swarm. 

While lying and working in Camp Hancock the company suf- 
fered a severe epidemic of typhoid fever, and Daniel G. Musser, 
or Pine Grove ]\Iills, and David W. Shires, of Potters Mills, fell 
victims to it, thus nipped off in youth's early bloom, Ijefore the oppor- 
tunity to try their weapons. The others to the number of forty-nine 
recovered. 

April 29, 1863, the Corps took up its line of march. Company 
G, on picket along the Rappahannock, followed and soon overtook 
the Regiment and brigade, the First Brigade, First Division, Second 
Army Corps. On the 30th marched through cold, drizzling rain, 
crossed the Rappahannock at the United States Ford, and [May 
1st came upon what became the battlefield of Chancellorsvillc. 

Every student of history is acquainted with the general plan 
and result of this great battle, but Company G, as well as everv 
other company in that vast body, had its o^vn experience, not known 
to the world at large. A history within a history but a history of the 
actions of men that largely determines the result of the general en- 
gagement — acts of bravery, skill and endurance, of pure heroism 
and patriotism that individually pass, 'Smhonored and unsung," 
swallowed up in the collected mass. Remember, reader of history, 
that while you accord every word of possible praise to those who 
successfully led, that upon tlie faithfulness, skill and valor of the 
rank and tile (Icjicnds tlu^ final issue of every battle, no matter how 
wisely planned. 

While undoi- iirc all day, IMay 2<1, Coiiijiany G was not heavily 
engaged, though the battle raged on every hand. Six com]>anies of 
the Regiment kept up a shar]) fight all day on the skirmish line, and 
met considerable loss. G was one of the four companies that lay in 
the works. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 701 

On the niorniiiii- of the 3d the enemy having effected a success- 
ful flank movement, the right and rear of the Army became exposed 
and the enemy pressed his advantage. The troops first brought to 
meet this proved inadequate ; part of the First Division, Second 
Army Corps was hurriedly called to form a new line and hasten to 
the breach. The four companies of the 148th not on skirmish, D, C, 
H and G formed the right of the new line and on their left the 61st 
New York, 5th New Hampshire and other regiments rushed in, thus 
extending the line. The little battalion of four companies soon 
struck the enemy in force. The direction of the advancing line was 
such that the enemy had the opportunity to pour in an enfilading 
five upon the advancing right by which Companies D and C wer ; 
almost destroyed and were forced back, but still bravely faced the 
foe. Having noticed that no skirmish line was in front and fearing 
trouble on this account, I sent Corp. George J. Duffy and Private 
David H. Henney to run to the front and try and get sight of tlie 
enemy and the direction of his line. I also kept well advanced 
before the company and in a very short time met Duffy and Henney, 
who through a small break in the thick woods pointed out the enemy's 
line lying on the ground. I at once half wheeled the company, thus 
throwing the left forward which made it parallel to the line of the 
enemy. The movement, though executed with great alacrity, was 
scarcely complete when the volley came. G did not suffer so heavily 
as the others, as the fire did not enfilade them. At the instant G 
completed her wheel, the 61st Ne^v York formed on the left and took 
the new direction, and the companies on the right, forced back by 
their terrible loss quickly conforming to the new direction, imme- 
diately began to advance with the general line. As soon as the enemy 
fired G replied and kept up a hot and continuous fire, which was 
equally well maintained by the 61st New York on the left and the 
companies on the right as fast as they got into position, and they 
lost little time in doing so. The enemy were forced back some dis- 
tance and the position maintained until General Hooker had estab- 
lished his white house line and by orders withdrew the little force 
from their desperate and unequal struggle. No men under their 
first fire ever maintained a more soldierly bearing than did Com- 



702 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

pany G. In this battle Corp. George W. Ward was killed and Wil- 
liam McGiiire and George W^. Ishler were mortally wounded. There 
were also wounded Corporals William L. Taylor and Joseph Fox 
and Privates Henry Eckinroth, Joseph L. Harpster, Daniel fe. 
Keller, David Miller, Reuben Reed, Alexander B. Ross, William H. 
Swinehart and John E. Youts. 

From the battlefield the company withdrew^ a short distance 
and in company with the battalion joined the residue of the Regi- 
ment on the new line, these six companies who also had had their 
experience of hard battle and duty well performed. During the 
4th lay in the entrenchments, no severe fighting on that part of the 
line, and so on the 5th. Upon the 6th, amid continuous rain the 
Army fell back across the Raippahannock and by 3 :00 p. m., after a 
rapid march through liquid mud up to its old quarters at Camp 
Hancock. The company lay near Falmouth and on Potomac Creek 
until the evening of June 14, 1863, when under marching orders it 
took its position in the line. This march led through Stafford Court 
House by Dumfries across the Occoquan by Fairfax Station, Cen- 
terville, over the old battlefield of Gainesville and Bull Run and 
through Haymarket; reached Thoroughfare Gap 10:00 p. m. June 
20tli ; did picket duty here against the enemy's troops on the w^est 
side of the Bull Run mountains and feasted on the luscious black- 
heart cherries that grew in profusion on large trees on the foothills 
and mountain slo]>es of the Bull Run mountains. 

On the 25th the line of March, after a skirmish with Gen. D. 
IT. Hill's (Vrps near Haymarket, led twenty-three miles to Gum 
Spring through drenching showers. On the 26th, to quote from a 
diary: 

"After a sleep, it having rained all night, we crept out of our 
wet nests and resumed our march by 6 :30 a. m., fifteen miles to 
Edwards' Ferry over the Potomac, where we arrived about 1 :00 p. 
M. ; lay in a field as a guard on the south bank of the river waiting 
for the troops and trains to pass over the pontoons. Last of all we 
crossed and the pontoons were taken up and we went into camp on 
the north side of the river at 2 :00 a. m. of June 2Yth ; lay until 4 :00 
p. M. waiting for the other troops and trains to move off. About 
4:00 p. M. started and brought uj) the rear, marched about fourteen 



THE 14STH FENNSYLFANIA (VOLUNTEERS 703 

miles through the towns of Poolesville, five miles from the river and 
Bamesville, seven or eight miles farther on, through an undulating, 
well improved country. On the 28th marched through a beautiful 
country' about fifteen miles and camped in a field by the Monocacy 
River. On the 29th resumed march at 6 :00 a. m. through a country 
"beautiful as the Garden of the Lord," five miles to Fredericksburg, 
thence east across the ISTational bridge, thence north through Liberty, 
eighteen miles, Johnsville, Union Bridge, Uniontown to Union 
Church; distance today thirty-six miles. We were greeted all day 
with smiles, kind words, and refreshed with water and cakes and 
other things grateful to the taste of a soldier. May this page live 
a thousand years to record the goodness of the loyal hearts of Mary- 
land. June 30th, lay all day in camp and were mustered for pay July 
1st. From Union Church through TaneytoAvn and Hameysville we 
came within three miles of Gettysburg, considerable of the distance 
amid the roar of battle. We marched fast knowing that the over- 
powered troops w^ere needing re-enforcement. Tomorrow wdll prob- 
ably be the battle of the War." 

By break of day July 2d moved to a point between Little Round 
Top and the Cemetery, were shelled in the early morning and Sergt. 
Robert H. Patterson was wounded by a shell in the arm. About 
4 :00 p. M. the fierce fighting began on the left where the Third Corps 
opened the battle. The First Division, Second Corps was sent as 
re-enforcement. The 148th was sent as part of this reinforcement 
and soon became hotly engaged at the wheat field and all through 
that afternoon's fierce fight did most effective work. Late in the day 
Company G on the extreme left of the Regiment to prevent a flank 
move and save itself from a flank fire, was compelled to either fall 
back or detach itself. It chose the latter and by a sharp left oblique 
fire followed by a charge of the company, dislodged those of the 
enemy who were forming in the rocks on the left. The enemy fell 
back before the charge, the company retired again and took up posi- 
tion a little farther to the left and oblique to its former line, thus 
extending the gap between itself and the rest of the Regiment. The 
company held this line keepingthe enemy in check until all the troops 
on the right of it had retired, including the Regulars of the Fifth 
Corps, who had joined as re-enforcement. Thus abandoned on the 
right and the enemy closing in on that side, the position was fast 
becoming untenable. Company G began to retire in good order, was 



704 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

met by an officer of General Crawford's staff and bv him conducted 
to a position held by General Crawford and formed in line with his 
men on the right, along an old stone fence, with the Irish Brigade 
to the left and rear. This was a. strong position Avhich the enemy 
did not assail. Soon Crawford's men advanced and drove back the 
enemy in a sweeping charge and Company G rejoined its own Regi- 
ment at its assigned position on the left center. 

The conduct of Company G after its separation from the Regi- 
ment was most praisew^orthy and General Cross, who visited it just 
before he was killed, praised the courage and coolness and effective 
work of the men, and especially enjoined Captain Patterson not to 
permit the enemy to gain lodgement among those rocks, even though 
it became necessary to lose connection with the Regiment and be 
entirely separated from it. Tt was upon this warrant that the com- 
pany took a seeming independence of action, which might appear 
cul]iable on their part, if not supported by a properly constituted 
authority. The fighting of Company G on this part of tlie line was 
of the most determined character, and the charge down the slope was. 
most brilliantly executed ; in this Private James A. Williams was 
killed. 

On July 3d Company G with the rest of the Regiment and di- 
vision after a moat vigorous shelling, assisted in the reception of 
Pickett's charge;, although the heaviest part of the action was more 
to the right of the position held by Company G. The loss of Com- 
pany (ir throughout the battle was Amos Myers and James A. AV 
liams killed; and wounded, First Sergt. John H. Harpster, Sergt. 
Robert H. Patterson, Privates B. P. Beans, D. B. Brisbin, Reuben 
Reed, George W Gilbert, David W. Miller, James A. Thompson. 
The company never passed through so much fighting with so little 
loss. 

It would be a very long story to follow the company in all the 
details of its marches and experiences. After Gettysburg came the 
pursuit of the enemy, fatiguing marches and frequent skirmishes over 
the country between the Potomac nud Rapidan ; intermingled with 
these were many pleasant mnrchos and agreeable encampments. 



1 




Killed at Spotsylvania Court House, W. Va. 



i 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFJNIA VOLUNTEERS 705 

Much transpired that pertained to tlie more comfortable side of a 
soldier's life, notably the long rest at Morrisville, Virginia, the 
reconnaissance to tlie United States Ford and the movement to Cul- 
peper September 14, 1863, and to the Eapidan September 17th. 

In September, 1863, while pleasantly encamped on tihe banks 
of the Rapidan the 148th Regiment was transferred to the Third 
Brigade of tlie same Division. It was with regret that the Regi- 
ment was separated from the First Brigade whose record they had 
helped to magnify, although no reflection is implied against the gal- 
lant Third. 

Upon October 10th began a series of marches and strategic move- 
ments unsurpassed in skill and rapidity of execution by any move- 
ments of the War. These were over the same ground where General 
Lee had so often been eminently successful in engaging the Union 
forces greatly at a disadvantage to tbem. This time, after the feints 
near Culpeper, Brandy Station and Sulphur Springs and more or less 
skirmishing on the flanks, the lines began to approximate more 
closely and converge at Auburn Mills. Here on the morning of the 
14th the enemy opened a sharp sikirmish in which the details of the 
148th bore an active part, and while the Regiment was hastily en- 
gaged in preparing breakfast, the eneaiiy commenced to shell it. 
One shell exploded in the headquarter fire of Company G and the 
company officers and Adjutant Muffly, ^vho was sharing their hospi- 
tality, lost their breakfast and with it alas ! that soldier's solace, the 
pots well filled witli steaming coffee. Henceforth that spot was 
Coffee Hill. The enemy dislodged, the Division marched with 
flankers out and everything ready for the most sudden attack or 
stand of the enemy, thus to Catlett Station. Still the impendini; 
battle is avoided, and the same expectant march continued, but with 
lines more compacted, and a larger concentration of forces. At 
Bristoe Station the Second Corps became engaged with the enemy, 
the fight being opened by the Second Division in a most brilliant 
charge, the rest of the Corps quickly rushing to support. Here was 
fought one of the most brilliant of the minor battles of the War, un- 
surpassed by any in alacrity of movement or force in the attack. 
The enemy were quickly dislodged from their strong position and 



706 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

thrown from their place across our line of march, and put upon the 
defensive upon the right flank of tlie marching column, now at a 
halt. After the battle, wrapt in the mantle of a night of impene- 
trable darkness the Corps marched off silently to join the forces at 
Bull Run, where General Meade was concentrating his forces to 
receive General Lee in a decisive battle. Upon a call having been 
made for volunteers to remain on the ground and form a picket line 
until two hours should have elapsed after the last troops were gone 
or until forced by the advance of the enemy, I offered to stay and 
Company G to a man joined in the offer, although fully conscious of 
the small chance they had of avoiding a rebel prison, for the enemy's 
line was not fifty yards away across the railroad at this point where 
our movement was likely to be discovered. I chose eleven men, enough 
to place one man on a post, and sent the rest with the Regiment. The 
enemy only once shortly after the movement of the troops, possibly 
led by the unusual stillness, felt our line, and luckily from a couple 
of posts in front of Company G, but upon being promptly answered 
all became still again, and with beating hearts the watches marked 
the passage of the tardy minutes. Andersonville or Libby had no 
charm for them — those stigmas on southern civilization. At the ex- 
piration of the time limit, the little band quietly withdrew, each 
man following me as the line reached him, and then through the 
darkness without a guide, marched as best we could, bore to the right 
of the railroad and the first assurance of being right was when we 
struck Broad Run. We safely reached camp at Bull Run at break 
of day after a march of twelve miles through the darkness. The 
enemy coming up found General IMeade held the vantage ground, 
that there would be no repetition of the Pope campaign, and that if 
he wanted a Bull Run No. 3 he must begin the attack, with the ad- 
vantageous position in General Meade's hands and he fully prepared 
to receive him. iSTot wishing to repeat the experience of Gettysburg, 
General Lee on the night of October ISth fell back, never again to 
lead a marching force across that historic ground, but to liegin a 
march which tlumgli accompanied with fighting unparalleled in mod- 
em warfare, steadily led backward until it ended at Appomattox. 
November 7th found Company G at Kelly's Ford of the Rap- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 707 

pahannock pursuing the retreating enemy who with consummate 
skill sought the south bank of the Rapid an. 

J^ovember 27th crossed the Eapidan at Germania Ford. Com- 
pany G did much skirmish duty but no heavy fighting. Close to 
Mine Run in the dark of night Company G was met with a vollej' 
full in their faces. In the flash of the rifles I recognized the Union 
uniform and quickly gave the cry, "Our own men ; do not fire." The 
volley did not strike a man though the balls struck on every side. 
This is an experience that always brings a shudder. The party had 
veered from their course and traveled in a circle and met another 
part of the line coming up. 

On the 2d of December recrossed the Rapidan without an}* 
loss of men on the movement. The weather during this move was. 
very cold which caused much suffering among the men. After this 
Mine River campaign the Army went into winter quarters near 
Stevensburg and remained until after the reorganization under Gen- 
eral Grant. Tn the reorganization the 148th was a^'signed to the 
Fourth Brigade of the same Division, Gen. John R. Brooke com- 
manding. 

Tn the grand movement began May 4, 1864, the company crossed 
the Rapidan with the Regiment in the line, but did not become 
heavily engaged until May 10th at Po River, although much undei 
fire and constantly on the move. On the Po the company and Regi- 
ment were most fiercely engaged and sustained the fight most 
steadily. Company loss that day was, killed, William H. 
Swinehart; wounded, Sergt. John W. Stuart., Privates David H. 
Henney, Anthony Knopff, Geo. Kom, Isaiah W. Marks, Adams T. 
Murphy, William Pittman, Thos. Singleton and William A. Jacobs. 

May 12th Company G bore her part in the grand charge at 
Spotsylvania Court House and was among the first to enter the 
works and all through this series of engagements showed the same in- 
trepid spirit. Among the first in the advance, among the last in the 
retreat, because their whole heart was in the success of the movement. 
Among the fallen on that historic field there were of Company G, 
Corporals Geo. J. Duffy and William S. Van Dyke and Privates 
David Koonfier, William ^I. Gross, killed; George W. Mcllhattan, 



708 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

mortally wounded. There were also wounded Lieut. Isaac Lytle, 
Sergt. Samuel Lytle, Privates William H. Fulton, William C. Hola- 
han, James B. Irvin, Reuben Reed; missino-, Geo. W. Gilbert (cer- 
tainly killed), Dias Shumaker, wounded and died in Andersonville. 

Among those who fell in this battle it were well to pause and re- 
count their virtues. Corporal Duffy was an ideal soldier, brave, cool 
and trustworthy ; as a scout, reliable ; on a post, vigilant, quick to dis- 
cover and interpret any movement of the enemy ; an unerring shot, 
cheerful under the performance of every duty, honorable in all his 
ways and a gentleman in his instincts. Corporal Van Dyke, a lad of 
eighteen, just ready to enter college, he enlisted in the company. 
Bright, vivacious, loved by all with whom he became acquainted, 
he soon found a place in the hearts of his comrades. He was a val- 
iant and enthusiastic soldier, and there is always a sigh for his mem- 
ory. George Mcllhattan was not only a good soldier but his repartee 
and read}^ wit will not soon be forgotten. 

May 13th Philip Glessner was wounded on the picket lint-. 
Then followed the movements by the left flank toward Richmond ; 
with its many skirmishes and many of these almost of the magnitude 
of battles, Abraham M. Royer was wounded May 30th near Totopot- 
omoy and on June 1st William A. Thompson was killed on the line 
near Hanovertown and David Kooitier was killed June -2d near Cold 
Harbor. So day followed day in almost continuous action. 

On June 3, 1864, Company G was in the great and disastrous 
charge on that strong position at Cold Harbor. In the charge the 
company reached the enemy's work, but could not hold the ground, 
bu<" after falling back a few yards and lying down on the ground, 
forced the enemy to keep on their o%\ai side of the work. The men 
with picket shovels and frying pans in that loose, sandy soil soon 
threw up an intrenchment which they held for ten days. First Sei- 
geant Robert H. Patterson was wounded in this engagement, while 
pressing to grasp a rebel flag on their works — a wound which in- 
capacitated him from further service, and robbed the company of an 
especially active and efficient officer. Benjamin Condo, twin brother 
of him who was drowned in the Gunpowder, was also wounded here 
and died on the 17th. Another good soldier gone from the ranks. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 709 

Froin tliis work constant sliar]) .shooting was kept n]> and no one 
on either side dared expose any part of his bodv. The least exposure 
brought the inevitable rifle eraek Here Jonathan IToflfner was 
wounded on the 5th and William A. Gabrick on the 11th, the duty 
here was continuous and critical. On the night of June l^Jth the 
position was abandoned in front of Cold Harbor, and the Army 
quietly stole away under cover of night and by morning had reached 
Ilarrisori's Landing on the James Jviver and thus completed one of 
the most successful movements of the War gaining without bloodshed 
what had cost so much fighting in 1862. 

On the 15th crossed the James and marched to a point near 
Petersburg. On the 16th joined in the attack on the works, defend- 
ing the city in this advance. Colonel Beaver was wounded and thus 
again we lost the pTesence and direction of our gallant commander. 
I was struck on the leg by a piece of timber thrown bv a bursting 
shell, receiving a contusion, not very serious at the time, but which 
in the end made it necessary for me to leave my connnand and go 
through life with an uneven step. These attacks were continued on 
the I7th and 18th ; but little progress was made and heavy losses 
were sustained, though the losses of (\)mpany G were not so heavy. 

In a movement on June 22d the Brigade was flanked by the 
enemy and the position of the 148th Regiment became very critical, 
but having extricated itself with some loss of life and prisoners 
joined in the repulse of the enemy. In that action C^ipt. Jacob B. 
Edmonds, Company C, formerly First Lieutenant (^)mpany (i, was 
killed. Nathan E. Beans, William V. Starliper and Brice D. Bris- 
bin were captured, the first named on the 16th and the last two on 
the 22d. The contest settled into a siege. In this the company did 
much hard duty, engaged in one picket fight after another, almost 
daily under fire of rifle and shell, sometimes these skirmishes 
assuming the pro|X)rtions of a battle. There was much shifting on 
the line entailing long and rai>id marching. Among these were the 
march to Deep Bottom on the night of July 30th and again on Aug- 
ust 15tli with its attendant liai'd fight of the 16th, in which fell one 
of Company G's best soldiers, William Devore. With such men to 



710 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

defend, the coimtrv could not suffer defeat from lack of stabilitv 
in the rank and file. Lot E. Ketner and George W. Went were 
wounded in this battle. 

On the 25th of August at Reams Station was fought one of the 
heavy battles of tlie Petersburg series and a full share of it fell to 
Company G. From the depleted ranks Benjamin F. Bean, a good, 
reliable soldier fell among the slain. Benjamin F. Dunkle and 
Samuel T. Reel were wounded. In this engagement the Regiment 
having come in from the skirmish line occupied a slight breastwork 
with not sufficient men to form a jDcrfectly close line one man 
deep; they were charged upon by the enemy in line of battle with 
set bayonet, but so firmly did the men withstand the charge that they 
beat back the line of battle, though so close that some of the men 
Vvere struck and prodded with the bayonet, notably Sergeant Fox, of 
Company G, received three bayonet cuts in the face yet stood his 
ground and by the valor of himself and the other comrades of the 
line beat back the attacking line. 

During September and October the service was much the same. 
On the night of October 27th tlie detail of Company G made parr 
of the regimental detail of one hundred men under Cantain Brown 
of Company K, who so brilliantly captured Fort Crater, on 
the enemy's line of defensive works. For particulars see the general 
regimental story. In this dash Private vSamuel J. Rager was ca]> 
turod. He died in prison. 

All through the fall and winter the same line of arduous duty 
was continued and many changes transpired in the company. Many 
were worn and enfeebled by service, disease and wounds. Many 
were placed on special dc^tail which involved absence from the com- 
pany. Many were lost from the com])any by disease, by death, trans- 
fer and discharge, because of inability to jierform active service in 
the field. But those who remained were ever ready for duty. At 
the time of the last general advance on Richmond the men bore their 
part bravely and were remarkably immune from loss, though at 
Adams Run, Anthony Knopff and Francis May were wounded and 
at Sailors Creek, Samuel Everhart, First Lieutenant Company C, 
former Sergeant Company G, was killed. lie was one of those who 



THE i^STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 711 

prominently helped win for Company G the prestige it enjoyed. He 
was made Lieutenant Company C on account of especial merit. 
Centre County has reason to be proud of this worthy son and his 
name and fame should be preserved to latest posterity. It is only 
necessary to add that after Appomattox Company G, with a sense of 
duty well performed, proudly bore its part in the Grand Review ai 
Washington, that historic display, when the Nation welcomed the 
return of her victorious preservers and brought all her resources to 
do them honor. From this review the Regiment proceeded to Har- 
ri'Sburg, Pennsylvania. Company G, under command of Captain 
Harpster was mustered out in June, 1865. 

At Harrisburg the soldiers became civilians and as citizens eii 
tered the various pursuits of civil life, thereby showing that not only 
as good S'Oldiers but as good citizens they were ready to tread the 
path of duty. As veterans and Grand Army men they have evei 
morally, intellectually, industrially and socially helped exalt the 
Nation for the preservation of which many of their comrades died 
and for which tliey had themselves given of their sweat and blood, 
of their youthful vigor, aye and often in the hour of defeat, had 
travailed in anguish of spirit for the country they loved so well. 

The veterans of the Civil War have handed down to posterity a 
legacy of valor, patriotism and good citizenship that will be treas- 
ured through the ages, and the story will, to coming generations, be 
told of how after they had bared their bosom to the storm of battle 
until the victory was won, as civilians, they joined the best element at 
home and with their characteristic ardor helped advance everything 
tliat tended to exalt the Nation. In this the men of Company G have 
done their part and continue to do. One by one they have passed 
the "portal." Some yet remain. 



712 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



rilK STORY OF G (X)MPAXV 



PAP.T II. 

Sketch of Lieut. John IV. Stuart. 

John Washington Stuart, sun of David A. and Martha Joliu- 
ston Stnart, was bom August 2'S, ISi-t, in Harris Township, Centre 
County, Pennsylvania.. 

He enlisted in G Company, 148th Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, August 13, 1863, at Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, as a 
private. The circumstances under which he enlisted are graphically 
told in '"The Sister's Story," who describes the enlistment of the 
boys who were then attending the Boalsburg Academy. He went 
v/ith his company to Harrisburg and was mustered later in the month 
of August. He was promoted to Corporal September, 1863, Ser- 
geant in 1864 and to Second Lieutenant February' 8, 1865. 

The young fellows of this company, particularly the Academy 
boys, were of an enterprising disposition, always on the alert for 
something to do and, in the main, content with whatever came their 
way. Stuart was not an exception to this rule. He has been known 
to say that he was homesick but once during the entire term of 
service, which was after a breakfast of black coffee, hard tack and 
fat meat in Camp Curtin. He felt then, as one of his older com- 
rades of G Company, Peuben Page did, who, after the same break- 
fast, remarked, "If I had known there were no better accommodations 
tlian this, I would not have subscribed." 

Stuart held his own in the Regiment, sharing all its experiences 
witliout special incident, until June 10, 1864, when at Po River he 
was wounded by a minie ball through his cartridge box. When 
he recovered his breath, he felt behind him to find where the ball 
had come out and then discovered that it had not entered the 
abdomen. He owed his life doubtless to the suggestion of his com- 
rade, Corp. George Duffy, who was immediately beside liim. 
aru] who lost his life two days afterwards at Spotsylvania, that 
l.c pull his cartridge box in front of him, as it migiht stop a bullet. 




John W. Stuart 1904 
Late Lieutenant Co. G. 



THE 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 715 

The suggestion was a prophecy. It did stop the bullet and his life 
was thereby saved. The wound, however, was painful, if not danger- 
ous, and he was sent to one of the general hospitals at Washington, 
where he remained three months. For the greater part of that time 
he was in ward as a patient. 

During his convalescence he had charge of the contrabands about 
the hospital, drawing and distributing their rations to them, and, in 
that way, became familiar with the details of the commissary de- 
partment. It would have been easy for him to continue in 
this place, as he was importuned to do, but, as he told Dr. Pancoast, 
the surgeon in charge when he asked to be sent to his Regiment 
and the doctor said he thought he was foolish to give up a good job 
and go to the front to be shot at, that was what he enlisted for. 

After rejoining and serving with his Regiment for some time 
in front of Petersburg, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant, 
being the youngest man in the Regiment to hold a commission. Dur- 
ing the absence of the Adjutant on a ten-day leave, he was appointed 
Acting Adjutant and, upon his return. Lieutenant Musser, the regi- 
mental Quartermaster, having been detailed as Acting Brigade Quar- 
termaster, Stuart was detailed to act as Regimental Quartermaster 
and served in that capacity until the close of the War. 

When the Confederates commenced their retreat from Peters- 
burg and our Army cut loose and started in hot pursuit, Stuart 
foimd himself in company with Colonel Shallenberger, the Corps 
Quartermaster, and rode with him day and night hunting roads and 
keeping the supply and baggage trains up with the troops. 

On the day after the surrender, he was sent with his train to 
Appomattox Court House, which was then within the rebel lines, 
hcvstilities, of course, having entirely ceased, to load his wagons with 
the arms which had been laid down by the Confederates and take 
them back to Farmville, the then base of our Army's supply. When 
reaching there, however, the officer in charge of the exchange would 
not allow the guns to be removed until their men were paroled and 
Stuart was, therefore, obliged to stay two days among the Confed- 
erates and, in doing so, was not far from the famous apple tree 
under which Lee and Grant met to arrange terms of surrender. One 



714 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

of the valued relics of the War is a piece of the apple tree with 
"Appomattox C. H." in raised letters cut thereon bj Serg-t. David 
H. Henney of G Company. 

Stuart continued as Acting Quartermaster of the Regiment on 
the return to Washington, took part in the Grand Review of the 
Army of the Potomac, secured transportation for the return of the 
Regiment to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where it was mustered out. 
turned over regimental and company books and the equipment which 
belonged to the State of Pennsylvania to the Adjutant General, was 
paid off by Major Mendenthal and thus wound up his military 
career. 

He was, at the time of his discharge, less than twenty-one years 
of age, and as Acting Adjutant and Acting Regimental Quarter- 
master, had an experience which in interest and usefulness fell to 
the lot of few, if any, so young as he was. 

The illustrations which accompany this sketch show him at en- 
li>tment, as a Sergeant before his promotion, and as he is today. 
'Jhey afford a striking illustration of what the Army did in the devel- 
opment of our boys and how kindly time has dealt with those of 
good physique who have dealt kindly with themselves during the 
well-nigh forty years since "Johnny came marching home." 



THE i48rH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 715 



THE STORY OF OO^IPANY G. 



PART 111. 

By D. IV. Miller. 

1 was a boy scarcely fifteen years old at the fall of Fori 
Sumter, and when the calls came for vohmteers, many of us wished 
we were only big enough to go with the companies that were leaving 
for the War. 

In August, 1802, Captain McFarlane was raising a company. 
We thought this our time, as many of us were very young, and 
our parents were more willing to trust us with him than with any one 
else. The enlisting began at a meeting, and I was among the first to 
put down my name, I think on August 4, 1862. With others, we 
crossed the Seven Mountains to Lewistown, and were at Potters 
Bank for dinner. I was a big bashful boy, had never been out of my 
native county or seen a railroad. At dinner the men all nished for 
places at the table, and I was left out. The Captain, seeing me 
standing back, called to me to come and sit on his knee and share 
his plate — an invitation I gladly accepted. He told me I nmst look 
out for number one, as I could not always mess with him, a bit of 
advice by which I profited. 

We went by rail from Lewistown to Harrisburg on cattle cars. 
Arriving at dark, we slept on the floor in the capitol building. An 
old man said if he had known there would be no beds he would not 
have "subscribed." 

After the Regiment was organized. Captain McFarlane was 
made Lieutenant Colonel, and Lieutenant Patterson was promoted to 
Captain of onr company. We went with the Regiment to Cockeys- 
ville, and were posted with two other companies at Gunpowder 
Bridge. On Sunday, September 21st, while three of the Condo boys 
were bathing, Charlie was drowned in sight of his brother Ben. A 
number of us were taken down with typhoid fever, and Samuel 
Everhart and myself were taken to the old stone hospital at Cockeys- 
ville, but seeing I wonld die if left there. Colonel McFarlane kindlv 



716 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

ordered me moved t<> a private room in a hotel at his own expense. 
Thus thanks to him and to Surgeon Fisher, and to the good ladies who 
visited me, I was soon convalescent, but not being fit for duty, was 
sent to the York, Pennsylvania, Hospital. I rejoined the Regiment 
some time in January, and shared the experience of all the comrades 
during the winter. 

At Chancellorsville I witnessed tlie death of Geo. W. Ward, 
the first man killed in Company G, and also the wounding of Mc- 
Guire and Ishler, the former mortally, and received a rather serious 
wound myself. 

On the Gettysburg march in crossing a small stream, Col. E. 
E.Cross of the SthlSTefwlHamipshirejOommanding the Brigade, posted 
himself with a staff officer one on each side of the column, and 
compelled the men to march through the middle of the stream with- 
out removing their shoes. Some of the men made some criticising 
remarks, and Colonel Cross overhearing them, mistook his man and 
struck Corporal Duffy on the back of the neck with his sword. One 
of the boys said, "I'll bet if Colonel Beaver were here he would not 
dare do that." 

When we met the ambulance containing tlie body of General 
Reynolds, Geo. Mcllhattan said, "Boys, if the I'ebels are killing th<^ 
Generals they will not have much respect for us little fellows." An 
inspection of arms the first thing on the 2d of July indicated very 
clearly what was ahead of us. On the march to the wheat field T 
saw JamesWilliams of our company pierced with a rebel bullet. On 
the 3d Comrade Amos Meyers was killed on picket, and during the 
shelling a number wounded, myself being one of them. This sent 
me to Chestnut City Hospital, Philadelphia, and I did not return to 
the Regiment until September. Was in the retrograde movement 
to Centerville, aud in the melee at Coffee Hill and Bristoe Station. 
At the latter place I saw Sergeant Barr of Company B lose an arm 
by a shot from one of our own guns. That evening, when there 
was to be a detail made to hold the ground while the troops moved 
off, Captain Patterson volunteered Company G. We held the ground 
the required time, and then slipped away in the darkness, without a 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIA VOLUNTEERS 717 

guide, and came up with the Regiment at Centerville the next 
morning. 

October 9th, Wni. A. Ishler was discharged, and our report 
shows fifty-three men for duty. The Mine Run campaign was very 
severe in its exposure to winter weather. Company G was engaged 
wi'th the rebel pickets and Corj). George Duffy, ^vho was the best 
marksman in the company, silenced a rebel picket. After the return 
to camp, in the early part of this winter, there were some changes 
made in Company G which were not in all cases for the interests 
of the company. One who served to the close of the War saw 
men who had been set aside pushed ahead, and in spite of opposition 
come home commissioned officers, among them the Quartermaster of 
the Regiment, another Captain of the company. Corporal Everhart 
lost two stripes one day, received them again the next, and was killed 
in the last battle of the War, holding a Captain's commission. On the 
5th of January John Martz was asked to resign his warrant as Cor- 
poral, but w:as soon after reappointed, tlien promoted Sergeant and 
carried the color. He never attended a sick call, never missed a 
day's duty from his enlistment to his discharge at the close of the 
War — a record that is hard to beat. Colonel McFarlane told me that 
]Martz was one of three men in our Division who was given a furloii^li 
as a prize offered for passing the best inspection of person and 
accoutrements, but about the time the furlough was to be granted, the 
Army got orders to move home. 

Before leaving our winter camp at Stevensburg we were trans- 
ferred to Brooke's Brigade, new commander and new associates. My 
three mess men, who moved out of camp that spring, are all dead. 

Reference has been made to the scalding of the foot of Frank 
Hess by the spilling of a can of boiling coffee. When the shoe and 
stocking were taken off, the skin came with them. He was sent 
away, and never returned to the Regiment. 

At Po River Stuart and Jacobs were wounded. While the com- 
pany was forming, Henry Swinehart was shot by a sharpshooter. 
In the charge at the Salient, at the command "Forward !" the first 
man to fall was Everhart, shot through l)oth legs, then Duffy next. 
ISToble Duffy ! Shot through both legs and bleeding, by his side lay 



718 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Mays, a mere boy, shot and crying; with piiiii. The stretcher curriers 
came to take Duffy back. He told them to take that boy back first, 
and tlien come for him. Meantime the line was changed, and when 
the men returned Duffy was outside our lines and (5ould not be 
reached. The next morning when we advanced we found him, cold 
in death. Wni. Xau Dyke had liis head slu't off. CT(x>rgeMcllhattau 
shot through the body and died in June. Joseph L. Harpster was 
wounded through the head and left on the tield for dead. The rebs 
turned him over, said he would never give them any more trouble, 
but it began to rain and poor Joe reviveil, was taken prisoner, is 
living yet. About the time Johnson's Division surrendered and the 
prisoners were coming in, Sam Kelley of Company G was not 
pleased at the way the prisoners were coming in. He said, ''Why 
in h — don't yez come in in regular order? Yez ought to have our 
Colonel to drill yez awhile.'' At Cold Harbor we skirmished, cross- 
ing the field witliout the loss of any men, and then charged the rebel 
line. Lieutenant Burchfield of Company 1) was in ccnnuuind of our 
company at this place, and to his credit be it said, he laid the first rail 
t'> build tlie bi'eastworks iu our front. HereDa\'idKoonfier was killed 
and Ben Condo was mortally wounded, dying in a few days. Wo were 
left on picket with the Regiment when the Army moved from 
Cold Habor. In the charge in front of Petersburg, June 16, Cap- 
tain Patterson was wounded, as was also Colonel Beaver. Lieutenant 
Llarpster of Company G was serving as an ainbnhuK»e otticer, and on 
a visit to me in 1901 he gave me a history of his experience on the 
22d of June. lie said that after some heavy firing he was sent 
to tlie front, and in riding down a road he ran into a rebel force 
with some of our men as prisoners. Among them he recognized 
David Brisbin of his own coniapny, and was afraid Rrisbin might 
give him away, but he did not, and as he wore corduroy trousers and 
had no blouse on, the rebel ofiicer thought he was one of their own 
men, and asked him which way to take the prisoners. He was 
pretty badly scared and anxious to get away, and directed them into 
a byway, and turned to go back the way lie luul come, when suddenly 
he rode into another body of rel^l trtx>ps. He told the officer in 
charge to clear the road, as there was a batterv cominij behind him. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 719 

He then put spurs to his own sorrel and escaped, but Brisbin Ijad a 
visit in Richmond. 

At Deei> Bottom on the IGth of August, Wm. JJevore was killed. 
At Reams Station, on the 25th of August, after our line was formed 
along the railroad, Company G with another company, I think K, 
was ordered to skirmish across an open field with Sergt. Joe Fox in 
command. We were driven back, and when the reljels charged on us 
they planted their colors in front of Company G. Ben Lhinkle 
reached for the flag, and was shot through the arm. Joe Fox went 
to the rescue, and was stabbed in the face and neak with a bayonet. 
Ben Beans, who was standing beside me, was shot, and his blood and 
brains spattered over my face and clothes. To my right I saw 
iialston and Keys of Company (J give up their lives. Here also 
Colonel Beaver lost his leg. 

Some time in October, while on picket in front of Petersburg 
with Samuel Hammer, there was some firing along the line. Ham- 
mer, thinking to have a little fun, put several charges of powder luto 
an old musket he found in the ditch, intending to put it off by 
pulling a string, and while in the act of aiming his gun, a rebel 
sharpshooter shot him in the temple, and he fell at my side. 

While at Fort Stedman Sergt. Samuel Eyerhart returned to 
the Regiment. During the evening there was considerable cannon- 
aoing from the rebel lines. We all went to the bomb proof, but Ever- 
h?rt, being weary, lay down in a tent outside the proof where Ser- 
geant Fox and I generally slept. We prevailed on him not to stay 
in the tent, as shells sometimes fell in the fort. A moment after 
he left the tent it was torn to pieces. 

The detail of Company G as part of the one hundred men for 
the assault of Fort Crater on October 27th was as follows : James 
Irvin, Ge^>rge Koon, Adams Murphy, John Myers, Anthony Knopf, 
Henry Fleisher, D. W. Miller, and W. A. Jacobs. Allen Cross of 
C'ompany D was detailed as pioneer to cut the wire of the abatis. 
After the capture of the fort and the failure of support, the boys 
of Company G all got back safely. 

Early in December, 1804, I was detailed for duty at Fourth 
Brigade headquarters, and remained there until we were disbanded. 



720 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Gen. John Ramsey commanded the Brigade. The staff officers were : 
Lieut. Joseph W. Muffly, Acting Assistant Adjutant General ; Cap- 
tain Brady, Inspector; Lieutenant Hatch, Acting Division Com- 
missary; the Orderlies were Jack Moorehead of Company E, 14r8th. 
Shorty of the 64th New York, and Harry Law as bugler. One day 
one of the Orderlies at brigade headquarters got drunk, and Cap tain 
Brady asked me if I could ride a horse. I told him I had always 
been accustomed to working with horses. He gave me the fellow's 
place and sent him to his regiment. After that Captain Brady was 
always my friend, and I went with him several times where it was 
not very pleasant to be. 

About a year before this James A. Thompson was detailed to 
Second Corps headquarters.* Company G boys seemed to be in de- 
mand. In October, 1864, Geo. W. Went of Company G was detailed 
to Hazzard's Rhode Island Battery. 

The operations of the winter and spring in front of Petersburg 
and on to Appomattox have been very fully described in other stories. 

On the 31st of March the company lost one of its bravest and 
noblest officers in the death of Capt. Samuel Everhart, who was shot 
dead in the line of duty. We have the original order signed by 
Humphreys, Miles and Muffly, promoting him to Adjutant so near 
the close of the War. He had been like a brother to me, and without 
disparagement, I think he was the best man the Regiment lost. 

About this time Adjutant Muffly left headquarters, and Lieuten- 
ant Crain of Company I took his place. Within a few days of 
the surrender poor Harry Law had his head knocked off' by a rel)el 
solid shot, and Thomas J. Lee of Company G was detailed to succeed 
him as brigade bugler, and served to the end. 

And so we came to the surrender, and saw the rebels stack their 
arms for the last time, and then we turned our faces homeward, 
camping a few days at Burkesville Station, then to Manchester, 
Richmond, and on to Alexandria and Washington, where we took 
part in the Grand Review. On the 20th of May, at dress parade, 
the order was read that made the survivors of the 148th Pennsylvania 



*See copy of the order following this story. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 721 

Volunteers the same as other citizens, save the service they had 
rendered for their country ; thence to Harrisburg, where we were 
disbanded, each going his own way. I got transportation with the 
horses to Lewistown in company with John H. Fortney of Company 
D, and from there rode horseback across tlie Seven ]\Iountains to oki 
Centre County. Two of the horses belonged to Quartermaster Musser 
and one to Lieut. John W. Stuart. 

We parted as a band of brothers, and still cling to the memory 
of those tattered banners under which we fought together, and which 
we restored to tliose who gave them to us. We are now grown gray 
and our ranks are vei*y thin, but until we pass away we will sustain 
the reputation of this noble Regiment. 

It has been said that the like of the great Review in Washington 
will never be seen again, but it will. That one had owe, drawback. 
The brave and noble dead who deserved the honors most were not 
there, but when the last trumpet shall sound, they will be gathered 
from every battlefield and pass in grand review with us before the 
great white throne, under the banner of the cross, to hear the Cap- 
tain of our salvation's welcome plaudit, "Well done, good and faith- 
ful servants." 

Comrade Thompson has preserved the original extract from 
the order detailing him and it is here inserted as a souvenir of per- 
sonal interest. 

Headquartebs Second Army Corps. 

Cole's Hill, Culpeper County, Virginia, April 14. 1864. 
Spec I AT. Orders No. 105. 

EXTRACT. 

The following named enlisted men are hereby detailed as 
couriers at these headquarters under the provisions of Special Order 
Jso. 92 A. of P. April 0, 1864, and will report without delay to 
Lieutenant Colonel Walker. Assistant Adjutant General : 

Private James A. Thompson, G Company, 148th Pennsylvania 

Volunteers. 
******** * * * * 

By command of ]\1a.i()k General ILincock. 

(Signed) Francis A. Wai.kei;, 
Acting Assistant Adjutant General. 



722 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

1Ie-U)QUaktki;s Fihst Division, Second Coeps. 

April 14, 1864. 
Oificial: (Signed) John BUncock, 

Major and Acting Assistant Adjutant General. 

Headquarters Eouirni Bkigade, Fikst Division, Second Corps. 

April 15, 18G4. 
Official: (Signed) Ciias. P. Hatch, 

Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant Generat. 

Headquarters 148tii Pennsylvania Voi.unti-:eks. 

April 15, 1864. 
Official : J. Wendel Muffly, 

Lieutcnenit an^l Adjiilant. 



I 




THE STORY OF (H)MPAXV H. 

By T. U '. Myton and D. W. Woodring. 

Company 11 of 14Sth Reginiont, Pennsylvania \'oliinteers, was 
composed of men enlisted at Belief onte and in the neighborhood of 
Port Matilda, Snow Shoe and Milesbnrg in Centre County, with 
some from Phillipsbnrg and a few from other counties. 

At Bellefonte, Dr. Geo. A. Fairlamb, a physician in active prac- 
tice, determined to abandon his profession and sacrifice his practice 
to become a soldier for the Union, and having received authority 
from Governor Curtin to raise a company, began in the early part 
of August to enlist men for the three years' service under the call 
of President Lincoln for three hundred thousand volunteers. 

About the same time the Rev. William H. Stevens, who had 
been by the East Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, appointed preacher in charge of the Port Matilda Circuit of 
Centre County, detennined that for him the time had come when 
at his country's call, he should lay aside his clerical robes and in 
her defense assume the uniform and the duties of a soldier. 

In pursuance of this determination, he made preparation to 
leave his charge and to enlist men for service in the field. 

He called public meetings at different points in his charge at 
v.'hich he and otliers made patriotic speeches urging young men co 
enter the country's service. At one of these meetings held in the 
Baptist Church at Martha Furnace, one of the speakers said jn 
concluding- his speech, that he had so much property he could not 
leave it or secure the services of any one to whom he could safely 
entrust the care of it. As he sat down a young man in the rear 
o£ the church, Daniel IT. Baumgardner, arose and said, '"Gentlemen, 
I pity this poor man, who would offer his life for his country^ if it 
were not for his possessions. Think 'of what he would lose if he 
should happen to be killed, how his wife and children would suffer 
No, gentlemen, it is not for such men. but for us who have nothing 
t3 leave but our families, no difference whether we are able to leave 
them anytbing to live on or not; our lives are not worth much at 



724 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

any rate or we would be rich.'' Quick as a flash, the first speaker 
sprang to his feet and said, ''Young man, I have a proposition to 
make to you, if you are ready to go, come on," and he wrote down 
his name and the young man came forward and as promptly wrote 
his beneath it and others quickly followed. This man did not become 
a member of Company H, but afterwards enlisted in Company C 
of the same Regiment. The young men thus enlisted attended fhe 
other meetings and took part in securing recruits and in response 
to their efforts, the young men came from their mountain homes, 
from the lumber camps, farms, furnaces and forges of Centre County 
a part of the superb material which was to make the name of the 
Regiment to which they should belong, famous in the history of tlieir 
country. 

But, nothwithstanding the fact that the young men responded 
promptly, enlistments were not rapid enough to satisfy the zeal of 
the doctor and the preacher and it was agreed between them that 
their forces should be united to form one company rather than 
wait to complete two, and a day was fixed for the meeting of men 
they had enlisted, in Bellefonte, and in the evening of the 8th day of 
August, 1862, in the public square in front of the court house, these 
men were first fonned in line. 

They were inspected and hurriedly examined by Dr. Fairlamb 
who pronounced them fit for service, they were then dismissed for 
the night with orders to meet the next day to be transported to Lewis- 
town, then the nearest railroad station on the Pennsylvania Railroad. 
On tbe 9 til day of August, 1862, Company II encouraged by the 
patriotic speeches and cheers of their fellow citizens and saddened 
by the farewells and tears of their loved ones, left Bellefonte in 
wagons which had been provided for that purpose and after a weari- 
some all day's ride over rough mountain roads, arrived at night at 
Lowistown. After waiting here for some time they were furni.shed 
with transportation to Harrisburg in box cars (then the usual mode 
of transporting volunteer soldiers). 

On the road between Lewistown and Harrisburg, the car in 
which this company was riding caught fire in the front end, causing 
a great deal of excitement among the men. The smoke was dense, 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANU VOLUNTEERS 725 

almost suifocatiug and for a time the prospect of being roasted alive 
or killed by jumping from the ear, seemed to be the only alternative 
before them. 

The engineer was igiiorant of their peril and there was no 
means of communicating with him. One man, named Anman, did 
jump out of the car and was found dead beside the tracks and buried. 
Finally Herman H. Clapp and Alexander Gibb, volunteered to make 
the effort to go forward and notify the engineer. They were lifted 
to the roof of the car by their comrades and at great j^ersonal risk, 
reached the engineer, who stopped the train until the lire was 
extinguished. 

Harrisburg was reached without further incident where the 
company enjoyed its first soldier's breakfast, but the boys who had 
been used to being well fed in their homes, did not relish army fare 
and talked seriously of discharging the cook and reorganizing the 
commissary department of the United States Army on a more liberal 
basis, especially in the matter of such essentials as butter and milk. 

After breakfast they were marched to Camp Curtin and as- 
signed quarters, the camp was rapidly tilling with new companies 
which were arriving daily, and new regiments were being rapidly 
organized and sent to the front. 

The company was organized with Geo. A. Fairlamb as Captain, 
Geo. A. Bayard as First Lieutenant and William II. Stevens 
as Second Lieutenant, and began at once to learn the duties and 
discipline of soldiers. They were examined on the 16th day of 
August, 1862, and tJie same day sworn into the United States service 
for three years or during the War. On the 12th day of August, 
1862, while at Camp Curtin, Robert Blackburn and Samuel H. 
Orris of Perry County, Pennsylvania, and on the 30th day of 
August, Jacob Snyder and William Snyder, Reuben Hagan and 
Thos. W. Myton of Huntingdon County, joined the company. 

The company now had on its rolls, one hundred and one names, 
the maximum number for an infantry company. 

On the 8th day of September, 1862, the Regiment was organ- 
ized as the 148th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, with James A. 
Beaver as Colonel, Captain Geo. A. Fairlamb was promoted to 



726 THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIJ VOLUNTEERS 

Major, and Lieut. Wm. H. Stevens to Chaplain, First Lieut. Geo. A. 
Bayard was promoted to Captain, First Sergt. John L. Johnston \.o 
First Lieutenant, and Second Sergt. Jolm A. Bayard to Second 
Lieutenant and the company was designated as Company II. 

Uniforms, equipments and arms were issued to the Regiment 
and on the 9th day of September, 1862, it bade farewell to Camp 
Curtin and at eleven o'clock at night left Harrisburg, arriving at 
Cockeysville, Maryland, the next morning at eight o'clock, where the 
Regiment went into camp in a beautiful little grove, a few rods 
south of the village called Camp Beaver in honor of the Colonel. On 
the 14th of September, Companies E', G and H went into camp on 
Jessup's farm near a bridge over a beautiful little stream called 
Gunpow^der River, under the command of Major Geo. A. FairlamD. 

The camp was called "Camp Fairlamb" in honor of the Ma.jor 
and was an ideal camp of instruction for volunteer soldiers, situate 
OJi elevated ground with a beautiful meadow on each side, a bountiful 
supply of pure spring water, plenty of wood for fuel, in a beau- 
tiful and fruitful country, abounding in poultry and sweet potatoes 
and apples, with a village and a paper mill near by, in which a large 
number of pretty girls were employed. 

It was indeed a pleasant fate for a soldier to be consigned to 
such a camp, and it would have been fully appreciated by the Ixvv- 
of these companies if two years later they had been ordered to 
return to tbis place. 

Here for nearly three months we were carefully drilled in all 
the duties and discipline of the soldier. Few of our duties were 
liiborious and none of them dangerous but the boys had not learned 
much of the privations of army life and while in camp at Gun- 
powder River in the state of Maryland, the men were divided into 
messes of six each, and much preferred to do their own cooking, dis- 
dained company cooks, whether from habits formed prior to enter- 
ing the service or because the cooks selected by the officers did not 
suit. On one occasion, two men from the company went out to the 
country and came back at night, each carrying a turkey. They 
made hot water and scalded them and were busily engaged in pluck- 
ing the feathers from the fowls, when the officer of the day (then 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIA VOLUNTEERS 7^7 

night) came slipping up behind. One of the buys saw him when 
close by and suited the action to the word by saying, "Captain, 
will you have a turkey for dinner tomorrow as the Colonel will b( 
down." The officer nodded consent and w\as given the largest. It 
was cooked, the Colonel was there and needless to say no questions 
v/ere asked at to where the fine fowls came from or how they got 
into camp. The two men ^vho brought them in have since passed 
away, the one in Missouri, the other in Pennsylvania. Both were 
fine soldiers and so far as can be learned no member of this com- 
pany was ever known to take anything he could not carry. While 
performing duty at this camp, frequent complaints were made to 
company headquarters by farmers and citizens residing in the vicin- 
ity, that foraging parties from Company H had been committing 
depredations. One instance, where some honey had been confiscated, 
the owner found a cap with the letter H upon it, brought the cap 
to camp and after considerable conjurings it was found two or three 
of G men had exchanged caps with H men the evening before and 
the case was reported to the Colonel at Cockeysville by th(i party 
who lost the honey. Nevertheless, the hone}- was eaten in Company 
G, instead of H, as appeared from the prima facie case made out by 
the farmer against Company H. 

While in camp here some of the messes had tlieir tents labeled, 
to-wit, ''Boar's Nest," "Dirty Mess," "Sheep Mess" and "Turkey 
Mess." Company H men were not all angels as we well know, but 
there were a few as near as could be in this world and whose conduct 
at home and in the Army was a shining light and examples for any- 
one to follow. For instance C. O. Whippo, long since dead, and 
John D. Wagoner whose examples will live in the minds of those 
who knew them long after they are gone from this earth to the 
celestial abode above. Others we might mention who were always 
willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in distress. Very little 
selfishness existed among the men in this company, all shoulder to 
shoulder in the common cause, ready to perform any act or face any 
danger that was presented in common with their brothers in arms, 
always jolly, ready for fun and sport when such occasion presented, 
ready and uncomplaining on the long tedious march. Would to 



728 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

God that all could be seeu together as they ouce stxjod in line on dress 
parade. But as this can never be, let us hope for that la&t meeting 
on that ''ever green shore." 

Nearly every day, long trains of railroad cars loaded with 
soldiers passed our camp going south and we longed for the day 
when the order would come to send us to join one of the great 
ai-mies in active service. Orders oame to prepare barracks for the 
winter and the men with an ill grace began the work of erecting 
them, but before they were finished, the long wished for marching 
orders came. 

These orders were hailed with delight by every soldier; even 
tlie citizens seemed pleased. There had been some foraging done on 
personal account and the persons whose property had mysteriously 
disappeared, were willing to part with us without showing any 
regret. 

The only persons who did seem to feel a real regret that we 
were leaving and did not try to conceal their sorrow were the girls 
at the paper mill and of the village. As we filed out of Jessup's 
meadow into the road leading to Cockeysville for the last time, 
they stood by tlie roadside and bade us a tearful and final good-bye. 
At Cockeysville the companies of the Regiment that had been 
long separated, were united, the Regiment was loaded in box cars 
and started for Baltimore on their way to the front. 

The history of the company from this time forward is merged 
in the history of the Regiment of which it formed an integi'al part. 
It participated in all the camps, camp duties, services, marches and 
battles in which the Regiment was engaged and contributed its full 
share in the sacrifice it was called on to make. Its surviving volun- 
teers claim with pride their share in the glory it has won and the 
enviable place its record occupies in the history of our country. 

This general history appears elsewhere in this volume and need 
not be repeated here, we care only to record hereafter the history 
that is incidental and personal to the company or the members 
thereof, which if not noted now, will be forever lost. Beyond this, 
we feel it our sacred duty to record here brief biographical sketches 
of our comrades killed on the field of battle or dead from wounds 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIA VOLUNTEERS 729 

received in tlie battle line in the discharge of their duty and a roll 
of our company showing the service, date of death and place of burial 
of our dead and the service, place of residence and address of our 
comrades living. 

Baltimore was reached the evening of the day we left Cockeys- 
ville and we marched through the city to the Union Relief Associa- 
tion, where a good supper of boiled beef, potatoes, cold ham, bread 
and ooifee had been prepared for us. 

While the Regiment was forming at the Baltimore depot, the 
Major came down the line with "Freddie," a beautiful Newfound- 
land pup of which he thought a great deal, and speaking to Hiram 
Knippenburg, said, "Hiram, won't you take Freddie and see that 
he gets safely to the Washington Depot." Hiram took Freddie and 
t> be sure that he would not lose him, took him up in his arms, 
Captain Bayard came back from the head of the company and 
looking down the line to see if it was dressed, saw Hiram with 
Freddie and said wickedly, "Knippenburg, what are you doing with 
that dog, put it down and dress up there." Hiram obeyed orders. 
Directly the Major saw Freddie running about at will and brought 
him back. Hiram took him again in his arms, and leaving the ranks 
stood on the pavement, again the Captain saw him and said angrily, 
"Knippenburg, put down that d — d dog and take your place in the 
ranks." Hiram reluctantly obeyed. Just then came the order to 
march, the Captain took his place at the head of his company, Hiram 
slipped out of the ranks and "Freddie" was safely conveyed to the 
Washington Depot. 

Leaving Baltimore the. next evening, the entire night was spent 
in making the trip to Washington where a substantial breakfast was 
furnished by the Relief Association but it was neither so good nor 
so plentiful as the meals furnished at Baltimore. 

After waiting in barracks at Washington for some time, the 
orders for our march came, the Regiment was formed and marched 
through the city, the drum corps playing "Dixie." The roads were 
very muddy and the marching laborious, we were burdened Avith 
heavy loads having brought from our camp everything in the way of 
personal belongings that we thought would contribute to our com- 



750 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

fort, but soon we found it would be impossible to carry the loads 
that we had imposed upon ourselves and march as we should. 

An incident of this march demonstrates how easy it is to be 
mistaken in the physical qualities and endurance of men. Among 
the men of Company H, was a slim, pale faced boy, named Geo. W. 
I'arnsler. Nearly every man in the company had at some time ])itie(l 
him on account of his appearance and the general belief that he 
could not endure the hardships of the service and he was constantly 
being advised to accept a discharge (which the men thought he ought 
to get on making application for it) and go home, but on this even- 
ing after a most fatiguing and exhausting march, when the company 
went into camp for the night, Farnsler was near the head of the 
Company and many of the large and apj)arently strong men, who 
had been giving him advice were straggling far in tlie rear and 
Farnsler was not again worried with their disinterested advice. 

It was indeed an arduous and trying duty, the change from our 
short marclies, our good roads, to the long, all day marches over 
rough, muddy roads and from our comfortable camp to the rough, 
cold bed in the woods or fiehks wherever and whenever night over- 
took us, was distressing and we began to lament our folly in praying 
for active service in the field and longed for a return to our pleasant 
quartei'S on tlie Gunjwwder. l^ut after days of snch experience, the 
beys accepted this as they had everything they had been called on 
to perform as a matter of course and before we reached the Potomac 
opposite Aoquia Creek Landing, we were able to do a full day's 
marching without great exhaustion and to sleep on the cx)ld ground 
in comparative comfort. 

The Potomac Kiver was crossed in steam boats on the 16th of 
December, 1862, and on the 17th we left the landing for the front. 
The march was long and wearisome and at night we bivouacked in 
a thick ])ine wood innnediately in the rear of the Army of the 
Potomac. The wagon train did not get up at night and we were 
without supper. In a grou]) of six men of the company, it was 
decided that if they could not have much to eat, they at least would 
have a roaring fire and all set to work gathering wood. While en- 
gaged in this work, some f)ne fin shed a covey of quail and they 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 731 

scattered in every direction. One lit at Bob Cassidy's (Big Bob) 
feet and ran under a log. Bob thought of the provision that had 
been made for the Israelites in their wilderness journey and caught 
and killed it. After the wood had been gathered, an account of 
the stock of rations on hand was taken and it was found that the 
entire stock for six hungry, tired soldiers, was one quail, one small 
piece of very fat pork, three handfuls of cracker crumbs and a few 
spoonsful of dried raspberries, the last item from a box from home. 
The quail was cooked in one tin cup, the fat pork added to make 
gravy, the berries were stewed in another tin cup and when the 
cooking was done tlie su})per was divided with scrupulous exactness 
into six parts and eaten. Under the influence of the warmth from 
the blazing log fires, the weary men were soon comfortable and sleep- 
ing soundly, to be wakened in the early moniing by the sweet notes 
of the bugle call in the cavalry and artillery camps and the rattle of 
a thousand drums in the infantry camps. 

Early in the morning, without breakfast, the Regiment marched 
in rear of the camp to Greneral Couch's headquarters. As we passed 
through a sunken road, our comrades from nearby camps gathered 
on the banks to see us and we were saluted with questions such as, 
''What brigade is this ?" ''Where are you from V "Are you 
artillery or infantry V' "What is the caliber of your guns ?" ''You 
v;ill not look so trim and clean after you are here awhile." To all 
this guying 7iot a man uttered a word but marched in silence like 
regulars. 

At General Couch's headquarters, we were assigned to the First 
Division of the Second Army Corps and were by General Hancock, 
Division Commander, assigned to the First Brigade and in the even- 
ing we bivouacked in the woods where our camp was to be. The 
wagon train came up at night and we had a good sup|>er and slept 
the sleep of the just on the cold ground, on a cold night in December. 

We now went to work to prepare a camp for the winter and 
in a few days had a well laid out camp built. The woods wei-e cut 
away, streets and parade ground made smooth and clear of brush 
and stumps and the binish burned. The men from the coaling and 
lumber camps were just the right kind of men to construct a city of 



732 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

log housjcs, wiinii and comfortable to live iii during the cold, disagree- 
able weather of a Virginia winter, and we soon had one of the 
cleanest, prettiest, most orderly camps in the Army of the Potomac, 
within which a rigid discipline was enforced, everything being done 
in strict accordance with army regulations. The school of the soldier 
begun on the Northern Central Railroad, was continued here with 
the arduous service of picket duty in front of the enemy added. 

The winter was cold and dreary and this part of the service 
was very trying and exhausting, but the men were ke])t busy every 
day that was at all fit for men to be out, they were regularly drilled 
and were putting in about a.s many hours of this kind of work as 
if employed in any other business. The health of the men was good ; 
up to the 5th of March, not a death had occurred in the company. 
On that day Thomas Gephart died of typhoid fever. He was an 
excellent soldier, quietly and uncomplainingly doing his duty and 
always present for duty until stricken with this disease of which he 
died. His body was sent to his home. 

On the first day of April, Amos Sweetwood, one of the largest 
and strongest men in the company, died of the same disease in the 
regimental hospital. His body was embalmed and sent home. One 
or two others were sick with the same disease but recovered and re- 
turned to the company. 

With the pleasant days of spring, picket duty became a 
])leasure, the health of the men improved. Most of those who had 
been sick and in the hospitals returned and when on the 27tb day of 
April, tlie Second Army Corps started on the Chancellorsville cam- 
paign, the ranks of Company H were filled with strong, healthy men. 

The Tveginicnt had its first experience in actual war at the 
battle of Chancellorsville. On the 1st and iM of May, it was almost 
continually under artillery fire and in the evening of Sat\irday, the 
2d, Companies A, B, E, F and 7v had a sharp tight with the Con- 
federate infantry on our advanced line driving them back. 

On Sunday nioniiiig. May 3d, Companies D, C, G and H, 
carrying the colors, were taken from behind the breastworks they 
liad built for their protection and thrown hastily into the woods 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 753 

behind the Chancellor House and in front of the Bullock House to 
help hold the Confederate line which had turned our right, until the 
Army could change its line from in front of the Chancellor House 
to a line running near the Bullock House. The companies moved 
directly into the thick woods without skirmishers, striking the Con- 
federate line obliquely, giving them an enfilading fire. On our righr 
at about twenty yards distant, the men were taken by surprise. 
They were nearly on the Confederate line before they saw it. To 
most of them the first knowledge of the presen<?e of the enemy way 
their first volley, but with that stubborn courage and j^ertinacity that 
peculiarly characterizes our American soldiers, they held their 
ground until the object they had been sent to accomplish had been 
secured and the Confederate line driven back, but their losses were 
appalling; more than half of the men who entered the woods were 
killed or wounded. As was said by one of the survivors, it seemed 
as they fell back that there were more men left on the line of battle 
than were retiring. The losses were greatest on the companies from 
the right. Company H lost seven men : Michael Flinn, Corp. Mat- 
thew B. Lucas, William Ludwig, Wyerman S. Miller, James M. 
Test, Ulyssus Wants, Harrison Yeager, killed ; and two, Frederick 
Ruder and Adoniram J. Yothers mortally wounded ; and twenty- 
two, Capt. Geo. A. Bayard, Lieuts. John L. Johnston and John A. 
Bayard, Richard Miles, Geo. H. Xeiman, Peter Frantz, John W. 
Gahagan, Geo. T. Jones, David Steiner, Oscar Runk, Benjamin 
Zimmerman, C. O. Whippo, John I). Wagner, S. H. Orris, Daniel 
Cr. Farley, Francis J. Hunter, S. B. Wyland, Geo. N. Long, William 
B. Lucas, Michael I>ebkechner, Thonuis W. Myton and Daniel W. 
Woodring, wounded. Nearly all of these were young men from 
nineteen to twenty-one years of age, as men of this age formed a very 
large majority of the company and the Regiment. 

Captain Geo. A. Bayard was severely but not dangerously 
wounded in the face. He had beautiful black whiskers which he 
cherished and cared for with some pride. The ball struck him on 
the chin, and mowed a wide swath through his beautiful whiskers, 
leaving an ugly, ragged, painful wound. But the Captain did not 
care so much for himself, he prized the welfare and comfort of his 



754 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

men above his personal safety and ease, and as soon as his wounds 
had been dressed, busied himself in looking after the interests of his 
toys who were seriously wonnded. On this mission, he came to 
Corp. Richard Miles, lying in the tiekl hospital in the woods, who 
had been shot through the right arm near the shoulder necessitating 
amputation at the shoulder joint. The C^iptain approached him and 
said, "Dick, are you very badly hurt ('' "Yes,'- said Dick, "I am 
very seriously wounded." ''Corporal,"' said the Captain, looking 
very soberly at him, "Ha\e you anything to send to your wife, any 
words you would like to have delivered to your relations and 
friends '^" The Corporal quickly raised himself on his left elbow 
and said, "Captain, don't talk that way to me. Don-t talk that way 
to me, I'll be at home before you are." And he was. Matthew B. 
Lucas was shot through the arm and Geo. T. Jones, who was shot 
through the leg and captured, says, "Brady Lucas was shot through 
the arm, a flesh wound, I was the only man left. The Johnnies 
killed him on the battlefield when he went for a canteen af water 
for himself and me." 

Colonel Beaver was severely wounded at Chancellorsville and 
was not witli the Regiment at the battle of Gettysburg. For some 
reason the mien of Company H did not like the Colonel appointed 
to command them. A comrade says, "Colonel Beaver was not with 
us at Gettysburg, if he had been we would never have gone into 
battle wrong end to, with half of the Regiment about faced, the 
guide in the center and the color company for left guide. His head 
never got muddled that Avay." But notwithstanding the confusion 
caused by this uiistake, they did their whole duty and maintained 
the reputation they had won at Chancellorsville. There they showed 
they knew how to die, liere they proved they knew how to fight. 

The loss of Coni])any IT in the battle of Gettysburg was two 
nien, Sergt. Samuel McGinley, and James Stewart killed, and one 
officer, Seciond Lieutenant John A. Bayard, and two men, fhimes K. 
Beals and Jolm Green mortally wounded, and Edward P. Jones, 
John Freeze, Samuel Gunsalis, wounded. 

The h)ss of Jack Bayard was a personal loss to every man in 
the conipniiy. Who tliat ever was a member of the company can 



THE J48TH PENNSYLFANU VOLUNTEERS 755 

forget the many little acts of kindness and consideration shown by 
him to them under circumstances and conditions which made kind, 
considerate acts more precious than gold. A comrade who helped 
awry him from the field says, ''I went to the hospital and stayed 
all niffht with him, eave him water and did all I could to make him 
comfortable. While I was with him he never munnured or 
complained or showed any signs of suffering, although he knew 
his wound was mortal. I left him in the morning and never saw 
him again. No braver man than he lost his life in the War of the 
Kebellion, no kinder heart was ever put in a human being. I never 
heard him speak harshly to one of his men, but was always trying to 
make them comfortable." 

After the battle of Gettysburg, following the retreating Con- 
federates to Williamsport, thence to Harper's Ferry and back again 
to near Culpeper Court House, then.came the affair at Auburn Mills 
QT Coffee Hill, the battle of Bristoe Station and back again, cover- 
ing the retreat of the Army to near Centerville, and then the Mine 
Run campaign closed the active work for the year 1803. Froui 
Mine Run the Hegiment returned December 1, 1863, to near Stevens- 
burg and went into winter quarters. 

The company was now commanded by oiiicers thoroughly edu- 
cated in tlieir duties, seasoned veterans who had faced death in some 
of the fiercest battles of the War. During the fall of 1863 and the 
winter of 1864, forty-six drafted men and recruits were added to 
the company filling its ranks again and its rolls showed ninety-two 
effective officers and men. 

This new material mixed with the men who remained of the 
original company, under the circumstances, was soon transformed 
into disciplined soldiers and when on May 4, 1864, they crossed the 
Kapidan to begin the campaign of 1864, it was probably a more 
efl^ective company for active campaigning than it had ever been, its 
ranks full of strong and vigorous young men, thoroughly drilled and 
accustomed to the hardship of anny life in active service in the 
field. 

The Regiment passed through the battle of the Wilderness with- 
out loss, the heavv fi^'hting was on and near the center and on the 



736 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

right and the Regiment was on the extreme left of our line. The 
following incident, although not strictly a part of the history of 
Company H is so characteristic of our first Captain, that it has a 
place here. 

In the evening of our first day's tight at the Wihlerness, the 
Regiment was marching toward the right in rear of the battle line, 
seeking an opening where it could go into action. Just as the 
sun was going down the Colonel ordered Majcu' Fairlamb to ride 
down the line to find an opening in the line where the Regiment 
could go in. The Major rode down the line but could find no place 
for the Regiment and it was forced to lie in the rear of the line 
in reserve, but as the Major was returning he heard the voice of his 
friend Colonel Ilammill of the 64th New York, in the front, where 
a fierce fight was in progress, giving command. He concluded to join 
them and rode forward and took part in the fight which resulted 
in the capture of the 12th North Carolina Regiment. As the Con- 
federates were hurried through our line an enthusiastic soldier of 
Colonel Ilammill's regiment said to the Confederate Colonel, "John- 
ny, that was a bully fight, why didn't you hold out a little longer^" 
"Because I was not a d — d fool," said the Colonel. 

When the fight was over. Colonel Beaver rode down the line 
inquiring for the Major. No one knew where he was, but just then 
the Major rode out of the brush and said, "Colonel, I could not 
find a place for the Regiment to go in and knowing it would not 
be called upon to do any fighting this evening, and hearing Colonel 
Hammill's voice in the front, where the fighting was going on, I 
went in with them and we had a nice little fight out there." 

On the 10th of May, 1864, a little more than a year after their 
frightful sacrifices at Chancellorsville, the company was again called 
on to make sacrifices that seemed out of all proportion to the advan- 
tage that could reasonably be expected to be derived from the move- 
ment. Early in the day the Division had Ix^en thrown across the 
Po River and for most of the day had been engaged in a fierce 
fight. Late in the day the other regiments of the Division were with- 
drawn, leaving the 148th to cover the retreat without noticing that 
its flanks had been exposed by the withdrawal of the other regiments 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIA VOLUNTEERS 737 

of the Brigade. They found themselves late in the day alone, with 
the Confederates on two sides of them and on the third side a line 
ol' fire in the burning woods. 

Nothing but the consummate skill and coolness of officers and 
men saved the Regiment from destruction or capture. The losses 
were very heavy. In Company H one man, Isaac Sweetwood, was 
killed ; two, Lieut. James B. Cook and William McDonald, mortally 
wounded; eleven, William H. Kellerman, Samueh M. Moyer, Jacob 
Bracken, Darius L. Sanders, John D. Wagoner, Frederick Shaffer, 
David Stiner, Valentine Stonebraker, Irvin Lowry, Joseph Lape and 
Henry Johnston, wounded, and one, Ephraim Klinger, captured. 

Lieutenant James B. Cook, "Cookie" we always called him, 
every man in the company loved, for his chivalrous courage and 
manly kindness. He was the friend of the men he commanded and 
the hearts of all who knew him sorrowed for him when they heard 
he was dead, as well those who stood by him in the line of battle 
when he fell, as of those comrades who by the fortunes of war had 
been compelled to leave the service and return to their homes and 
were first apprised of his untimtely death when his luime appeared 
in the long list of the slain in this battle. 

A comrade writing of his death says, "We were busily engaged 
in the fight at Po Biver when Lieutenant Cook came up to me and 
said, 'Dan, let me give them a shot.' I loaded up, gave him my gun 
and stepped back, he stepped into my place and just as he fired, a 
minie ball from the rebels struck him in the right leg above the 
knee. He fell back and I caught him in my arms and laid him 
down." 

Two days later the company formed a part of the troops who 
charged on that angle of the Confederate line at Spotsylvania Court 
House, appropriately called the "Bloody Angle," and helped to figln: 
the fiercest infantry fight of modem times. They were in the front 
line and were among the first to enter the Confederate intrenchments. 
The company was again called upon to suffer heavy losses, having 
two, Samuel Gunsalis and John W. Carlton killed, and twelve, 
Uriah K. Brown, Robert Cassidy, John D. Deihl, Robert J. Kelly, 
Geo. A. Wilson, Christian Stuck, William McKinnev, William J. 



^ 



738 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Lucas, Ge^). W. Freed, Robert Custard, William H. Klose, Robert 
Blackburn and John Moore, wounded. 

March and counter-march followed this battle, seeking some 
weak spot in the Confederate line where it could be assaulted with 
some hope of success. In discomfort and much weariness, they 
marched, but always uncomplainingly. 

N^ot less glorious than the courage exhibited at Po River and the 
''Bloody Angle" of Spotsylvania, was the high soldierly spirit that 
enabled them thus to perform this most wearisome duty of the soldier 
and do it well. 

After one of these marches, the Regiment was lying down wait- 
ing for the order to advance when a rebel shell came shrieking 
through the air and fell in the mud at Corporal Famsler's feet, the 
shell turned over in the mud, the fuse still smoking. Captain Bay- 
ard who was lying a few feet in the rear of Farnsler and near the 
shell, partly raised himself, looked for an instant veiw soberly at the 
smoking fuse, spat viciously at the shell, swore a prayer or two and 
lay quietly down to 'await the result. Fortunately the fuse died out 
and no explosion occurred. 

Then came the race for Cold Harbor in which tlu* Fiiion Army 
seemed to come out behind. 

The Regiment had now lost fully one-half oi the men who had 
crossed the Rapidan River, when we came out of winter quarters, 
strong, confident and self-reliant, by death, wounding and captures, 
but undaunted by these fearful losses, it took its place again in 
the charging lines for the bloodiest and most fruitless charge of the 
campaign. , 

In the early morning they went fonvard, part of the company 
was with Major Forster in front of the assaulting column. To this 
detail Cai)tain Bayard said before daylight in the morning, "Wheji 
you see the line of battle coming deploy, move forward and drive 
in the rebel pickets, then lie down till the line passes over you, then 
fall back to the line you now occupy and hold it for a line, if the 
battle line is driven back. 

A comrade thus describes this charge: ''Pretty soon the line 
rf battle came in sight and the picket deployed drove the rebel 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFJNIA VOLUNTEERS 739 

picket line behind their works and lay down. The battle line moved 
over us, jumped over the breastworks and sent the Johnnies helter 
skelter, but in a fe^v minutes we were ordered to throw up breast- 
works. It was a hot place, the Johnnies had an enfilading artillery 
fire on us and they made it hot for us for a while, but our batteries 
soon got around and shut them up on that line and they did not 
dare to look over their works, if they did they got plugged. So we 
soon got a good line of works within a few yards of theirs and held 
them till our Army slojjcd around to the left and flanked them 
again," 

The loss of Company H in this fight w^as one, Herman H. Clapp, 
killed; and one, Hiram G. Moore, wounded. 

After the charge had been made and the new line of breast- 
works thrown up, there was a lull in the battle and private Robert 
Fulton, who had been down the line to the left, came back and re- 
ported to Captain Bayard that Herman H. Clapp was down there 
wounded lying between the lines. Captain Bayard called up Sergt. 
Herman K. Miller, and said, "Sergeant, go down the line to where 
you will find Herman Clapp and if possible get him and take him 
back." The Sergeant went down tJie line, found the body of Clapp 
lying between the lines, here only a few rods apart and in point 
blank range of the rebel rifles, disregarding the warning of his com- 
r.'ides, he threw off his accoutrements, leaped over our breastworks, 
ran rapidly to where his wounded comrade lay, picked him up 
and brought him safely within our lines, without receiving any 
injury although rifle balls were flying thick and fast all the time. 
But poor Clapp was shot through the head and died next morning. 

The flank movement now made by the Army of the Potomac, 
transferred its field of operations to the James River and to an 
assault on the front of Petersburg. 

The Regiment had worn away by deaths, wounding, captures 
and hard marching to a mere skeleton of the splendid organization 
that had entered on the campaign and the company had now become 
a small squad, but being called upon for renewed services in this 
assault on the enemy's works on June 16, 1864, they went gallantly 
forward as they had gone on every occasion thus far and again they 



k 



740 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

were doomed to be repulsed with great loss. Sergeant Ward, of 
Company H,earrving the colors found when the Brigade began falling 
back that he was so far in advance that he could not escape being 
<;aptured, buried his Hag in the sand where it was found and recov- 
ered next day by those who saw his heroic act, but he was captured 
and died in Millen Prison, Georgia, as described by Sergt. Herman 
K. Miller in his story of the capture. 

The loss of the company was again (considering the number 
present for duty) frightfully large having one, John F. Boring, 
killed ; two, William H. Makin and William Pearson, mortally 
wounded, and three, iPeter Frantz, Henry Phillips and William 
Snyder, wounded ; Sergts. William Ward, Herman K. Miller and 
Thomas Jordon and John T. Funk, captured, three of whom died in 
Andersonville and other prison pens of the South. 

The attempt to carry Petersburg by assault was now abandoned 
and the Army sat down to a regular seige. Strong intrenchments 
were thrown up in front and a vigorous campaign on the enemy's 
right and left flank was begun, in which the Second and Sixth Corps 
were principally used. On the 21st day of June the Second and 
Sixth Corps established a line on the Jerusalem Plank Road and 
on the morning of the 22d a forward movement was attempted. In 
making this movement, the flank of the Second Corps >vas exposed 
and a rebel column was thrown between the Second and Sixth, 
striking Barlow's Division of the Second Corps on the flank, rolling 
it up and forcing them to fall back. This battle was known as the 
^'Battle of Strawberry Plains" but the men facetiously called it 
^'Barlow's skedaddle." 

It was especially disastrous to Company H in tbe number of 
men captured. The losses were Captain Geo. A. Bayard, Sera:t. 
William Snyder, Sylvester Sanders and John H. Williams, captured. 

On the 25th of August^ the Regiment took part in the disastrous 
battle of Reams Station, one of the fiercest, and for the numbers 
engaged, one of the deadliest battles of the War. 

During the fighting in this battle, the men of the 148th engaged 
in a hand-to-hand fight and the bayonet was freely used. Their 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 741 

losses were three, Jacob Frantz, Israel JJeisher, wounded ; and 
William F. Montgomery wounded and captured. 

On the 6th of October, the Regiment received a merited and 
hard-earned distinction in being designated as the one liegiment in 
tliat splendid Division (the First Division of the Second Army 
Corps) to receive Spencer repeating rifles. 

On the 27th of October, occurred the famous charge of Captain 
Jeremiali Z. Brown and his one hundred men of the 148th 
Pennsylvania on the Confederate fort near the Jerusalem Plank 
Road, resulting in the capture of the fort. The rashest, bravest, 
m.ost hopeless charge made by any body of troops on either side on 
any position, during the War. 

That they were not able to reap the fruits of their victor}' was 
not their fault. They proved conclusively that they were not afraid 
alone to charge a strong Confederate fort, but they were unable alone 
without any support to resist a charge made by a division. 

The contribution of Company H to this charging column was 
eleven men : Lieut. Alexander Gibb, William H. Kellerman, Syl- 
vester Hill, James Ludwig, William H. Alurtz, Irwin Lowry, John 
Williams, only four of whom came back when the assaulting column 
was driven out of the fort, and one, William H. Kellerman, coming 
back after eight days of exposure and privation between the lines. 
He first came back bringing two Confederate prisonei*s with him 
whom he turned over to Captain Montgomery, who directed him to 
return to his comrades, which he did. When they were driven out, 
he dropped into a picket hole and to avoid the hot fire from the rebel 
forts thought he would remain in the hole until the firing ceased, 
but before he could get out the Confederate videttes were posted 
between him and our line. He determined that he would not be 
captured and although it was intensely cold and he had no provision 
or blanket with him, he subsisted on roots and bark within his reacli 
and water that he could get when it rained, waiting for a dark night 
when he could steal through the rebel picket line. It came at last 
after eight days and he crawled into our lines and tumbled into our 
breastworks among the astonished pickets, more dead than alive. 
His feet were badly frozen and his limbs almost paralyzed. His 



742 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

injuries rendered liiui unfit for further service in the field. He was 
complimented in General Orders and given a thirty days' furlough. 

This ended the active field operations of the campaign of 1864 
and the Regiment settled down to seige duty in winter quarters. 

During the campaign of 1864, one officer, Captain Geo. A. 
Bayard, and fourteen men of Company H, were captured in the 
different battles of that year. Captain Bayard in his story, vividly 
describes the prison life of an officer in the prison pens of the South. 

Of the fourteen men who went into this hopeless imprisonment 
but one, Sergt. Herman K, Miller lived to return to the ranks of 
the company and he tells his story elsewhere in this work. 

Of all the men who laid down their lives that the country 
might live, these men and those who died under like circumstances, 
from other organizations, deserve the highest honors the gratitude 
of their fellow countrymen can devise, for their deaths were the 
result of the deliberate choice to maintain their honor and preserve 
their fealty to their government through many months in starvation 
and rags and death, surrounded by the loathsome and brutal condi- 
tions of rebel prisons, commanded by tyrants and guarded by 
cowards, when they were offered food and clothing and comfortable 
surroundings if they would dishonor aivd forswear their allegiance 
to the Government. 

Their deaths were not only brave and patriotic, they were also 
vicarious. They died that others, their comrades in arms, might not 
die, for the Government in a cold-blooded business proposition bv 
ile chosen officers, decided that it was better that these brave men, 
wasted and starved in these prisons" until they were unfit for im- 
mediate service, should die as prisoners rather than exchange them 
for a like number of healthy, well fed, rebel prisoners, wlio could at 
once be sent to tlieir annies and become an effective force in pro- 
ti acting the War. 

As a business proposition this may have been correct but wao 
hardly just to the man who suffered, or worthy of the Government 
they had so faithfully served. 

To think of Sergt. William Ward, brave, strong, manly soldier 
that he was, saving his country's flag in the face of the enemy, when 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 743 

he could not save himself, and then look at the picture drawn by 
Sergeant Miller of Sergeant Ward, starved, naked and dead, alone 
on the ground of the prison pen at Millen, Georgia, and to know 
that this death might have been avoided is enough to make every 
comrade desire to curse the man by whose order it was permitted, 
however distinguished he may have been, regardless of what might 
have happened to himself or comrades in the field and able to fight 
if this exchange had been made. 

With the opening of the spring campaign, the Regiment marched 
with the Brigade to which it belonged. It had been decimated by 
the fearful losses of the past year but it had lost nothing of the 
soldierly bearing and courage that had ever distinguished it. Every 
one now felt that the end was near and that they were now to gathei- 
the fruit of all their suffering and sacrifices. 

The fierce fighting of the year before had worn away the Army 
of North Virginia. It was na longer able to contend with its old 
antagonist, the Arm}- of tlie Potomac. The places left vacant in its 
ranks by tlie dead, could not be filled nor could the material resources 
for another campaign! be supplied. 

Its one hope was in flight, but the results of the hard fighting on 
our left in 1864, enabled Grant to place almost insurmountable ob- 
stacles in its way and make a successful retreat impossible. 

On the 27th of March, we participated in the battle of Hatch- 
er's Run and on the 31st in that at Adams Farm. On the 2d of 
April it moved five miles through the enemy's lines to Sutherland's 
Station on the South Side Railroad. 

Here the Regiment achieved its crowning victory, capturing 
seven hundred prisoners, two guns and two flags. Company H, 
under command of Capt. II. H. Montgomery, was in its place in 
the line and contributed its share to these victories. On the 7th of 
April they participated in the battle of Farmville, then came Appo- 
mattox and the end. 

.Vnd now they stood where for three long, weary years of war 
they had prayed and hoped to stand, in the glory and gladness of a 
complete unlimited victor\\ All that they had contested for had 
been affirmatively decided. The Union restored and preserved, tht 



744 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

glor\- of the flag niaintained, the dignity and authority of the Con- 
stitution established over every part of the United States, secession 
and state rights, as aJBfirnied by the Confederacy, had with it found 
the last ditch and was dead or dying in it. 

But with the joy of the great victory, which they, in a very 
material way, helped to win, came the sad memories of the forms 
and faces of the comrades they had loved and lost in striving for 
the great and priceless triumph. Of the nearly one hundred strong 
young men, who on that bright beautiful summer morning, nearly 
three years before, had so proudly marched away from Bellefonte, 
and the nearly half a hundred more who had joined them since, how 
few remained. 

There were hearts in that short line of bronzed veterans of 
Company H, whose lament for comrades lost could only have been 
expressed in eloquent words like the lament of David for Jonaithan 
after the battle of Gilboa. 

There was compensation and comfort in the thought that their 
comrades had shed their blood and earned their graves where the 
fighting was fiercest and the destruction of life was greatest onthe 
great battlefields of the War, and that they had not suffered and died 
in vain. 

From Appomattox they returned by slow and easy marches to 
Richmond where the flag of the Union was now floating ovei- the 
Confederate capitol, by the way of the Wilderness and the graves of 
their comrades ; to Washington, now the undisputed capital of the 
firm and enduring Union maintained by their courage; to the Grand 
Review where, for the last time what remained of their splendid 
organization, was reviewed by the great commander, to Harrisburg 
the capital of the great state whose honor and flag had been safe in 
their hands ; to the final dissolution of the splendid organization that 
had bound them together for three awful years of bloody struggle and 
to ''Home, sweet home." 

With the capture of Capt. George A. Bayard and his imprison- 
ment, the last of the commissioned officers of the company who had 
entered the service with it, was lost to the company. After his re- 
lease and before he returned to the company. Captain George A. 




SERGT. D. H. BAUr/lGARDNER 



THE i4hTH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 745 

Bayard was successively promoted to Major and Lieutenant Colonel 
of the Regiment. First Lieutenant John L. Johnston had been pro- 
moted to the captaincy of Company A of the 148th and left the com- 
pany. Second Lieutenant John A. Bayard had been mortally 
wounded in the wheat field at Gettysburg and First Sergeant Jame* 
B. Cook had been promoted to First Lieutenant and had died from 
wound received at the battle of Po River, 

The command of the company now devolved on First Lieut. 
H. H. Montgomery, who had been regularly promoted by successive 
steps from Fourth Sergeant, and remained under his care and com- 
mand through all the campaigns and battles until the end and was fin- 
ally discharged with the rank of Captain, having received that mer- 
ited recognition of his services on May 6, 1865. 

At the battle of Reams Station, Virginia, August 25, 1864, his 
life was probably saved by the thoughtfulness of Jacob Frantz, who 
called his attention to a rebel sharpshooter in close range who was 
about to shoot him, but Frantz's thoughtfulness for his commanding 
officer resulted unfortunately for himself, for the Confederate 
turned his gun on him and before Frantz could fire the rebel 
shot, his ball striking the stock of Frantz's gun, carrying away the 
two last fingers on his left hand and, glancing, struck the trigger 
guard destrovinir the same finders on his riirht hand. 



746 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



THE DRAFTED MEN AND SUBSTITUTE'S STORY. 

SUPPLEMENTARY STORY OF 11 COMPANY. 
Compiled by Myton and Woodring. 

In preparing some material for the story of Company H, it \va> 
found that of the drafted men and substitutes who became memberb 
of this company in the latter part of October, 1863, not one of them 
had deserted, and the original rolls show that, for tbe time served, 
their record was as honorable and their losses as heavy as were tlit* 
records and losses of the original veteran volunteer. This, in the 
light of what is generally believed to have been common with this 
class of soldiers, is so praiseworthy and exceptional as to require 
special recognition. What was true of H was found to be equally 
true of all the other companies of the Regiment. 

These facts excited the curiosity of some of the comrades and, at 
their solicitation, the men referred to offered their story, which is be- 
lieved to be worth a place in the record of any organization, great oi 
small, that in that great war served the country. The story is derived 
from the recollection of several comrades and is as nearly in their 
ovsm language as it is possible to put it in combining their stories. 

The squad consisted of eleven men who were all from Cambria 
County. The first mustered into the United States service was Geo. 
W. Constable, a substitute for his brother. He says: 

"I was mustered in on the 23d day of October, 1863, at Hunt- 
ingdon, Pennsylvania, and, after I had been supplied with a new 
suit of clothes, was taken upstairs in the Court House, put in a room 
by myself, the door locked and a guard placed in front of the door. 
Before that was done I thought T was a patriot but now I thought 
I was regarded as a criminal. At the close of the day, when the 
officers had left and the squad of the invalid corps was in charge of 
a Corporal, he came and talked with me for a long time, asked me 
why T came to the Army, thought it strange that T should leave u 
good home to serve in the Army. He kept looking at his watch every 
few minutes and finally got up and went downstairs, leaving me 
without a guard and the door unlocked. Presently he came back 
with two or three others. Thev told me to take off my new clothes 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 747 

and put on a suit of their clothes ; they said mine looked too new. 
Then we all went downstairs and I was given my first drill. I was 
instructed how to hold a gun and how to salute officers and they left 
me to stand guard for them, when the officers were not there. When 
the roll was called, I fell in with them but, as my name was not on 
the roll, it was not called and I did not have to answer, but after- 
ward as I performed my guard duty the experience for the day was 
confusing and I could not understand it. In the morning I had 
started in as I thought from a high and proper motive, though under 
a name that did not sound just as well as volunteer. I had been 
accepted into the service of my country, looked upon as a criminal 
and before midnight was on guard as a member of the Invalid 
Corps. I could not understand it at all but I knew I was getting 
my Army experience wrong end first." 

On the 24th of October a large squad was mustered in and in 
the evening all were shipped for Harrisburg, arriving there during 
the night, and were quartered in a large building without any light, 
except the light of a small lamp by which some men were playing 
cards. In the morning they discovered that their Army experiencw 
had indeed begun and they could comb graybacks from their hair 
with a coarse comb. They were destined for Carlisle and in the 
morning were placed in charge of a squad of the First Battalion of 
the Invalid Corps. Arriving at the station, it was found that a train 
would not leave for some time. They broke up into squads of two 
or tliree, each squad in charge of a guard. When they came together 
again, some of the boys had procured some whiskey and on the road 
from Harrisburg to Carlisle the guard was supplied with it plenti- 
fully, with the result that we entered camp exhibiting the peculiai 
spectacle of the guarded leading the guard and carrying his gun. 
They remained at Carlisle two or three days and left for the front 
in charge of some officers of the 148th. 

There were one hundred and twenty-five men in the squad bnt, 
when they reached the Regiment, ten men were missing. Fron-, 
Washington they were shipped on flat cars to Bull Run. Here they 
found the rebels had torn up the railroad and destroyed some prop- 
erty. This was tlieir first sight of actual war. From this point to 
the camp of the 148th they had to march. One of them thus graph - 
icallv describes their march : 



748 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

"We started on the march and marched till long- after dark and 
got lost in the woods and were ordered to lie do\vii and keep very 
quiet, for the rebels might hear ns. We laid down and did keep very 
quiet. We were all green and they could make us believe anything. 
The night was very quiet and we slept soundly but just at daybreak 
we were startled from our beds by the most unearthly noise we ever 
heard. We jumped from our beds and stood in terror, expecting eveij' 
moment to be our last. We had heard of the rebel yell and I had 
read in school of the tomahaAvk and scalping knife and war. whoop. 
My hair stood on end. I thought my time had come ; so we waited 
for death till daylight revealed the fact that we were near the camp 
of a large army train and the noise we heard was the government 
mule ordering his breakfast. 

"On the march the next day we passed an old field in which 
were a large number of persimmon trees loaded with fruit. We had 
never seen persimmons before but the fruit looked luscious and de- 
sirable to eat and the officers kindly ]>ermitted us to take and we did 
eat of the unripe fruit and discovered that the officers did it mali- 
ciously in the hope that we could then keep our mouths shut. 

"Our march was a long and weary one. On the road we passed 
over a bridge, composed entirely of dead horses ; it was a good, strong 
(as to odor) bridge. At last we reached headquarters of the Second 
Army Corps and were sent to the 148th Regiment. When we ar- 
rived on the parade the old soldiers did some tall laughing at us but 
it did not take us long to get naturalized." 

When the squad arrived in camp, it was divided into details for 
each company and afterward the men were permitted to exchange 
places so that friends could serve together. In this way it came that 
all the men of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, became members of 
Company IT. They were Uriah K. Brown, John F. Boring, Jacob 
Bracken, George W. (Nonstable, David B. Jones, Henry Johnston, 
William II. Makin, Adam M. Makin, William Pearson, John Sheeler 
and George A. Wilson. 

The laughing and twitting we suifcM-cd at the hands of our vet- 
eran comrades Avas all good natured and we found tliem exceedingly 
kind and obliging and we soon foiuid ourscdves greatly indebted to 
them for many favors and nnich wise counsel. At this time there 
were only sixteen men of the old company present and fit for duty. 
Wo were again examined by the regimental surgeon, who remarked 
that he did not see what thev sent such thin<>s down there for. 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 749 

Eight days after joining the Regiment we were given guns and 
two hours later started for Kelley's Ford, where we were to smell 
powder and hear tlie bullets sing for the first time. That night we 
were put on picket with strict orders to shoot every man that did not 
stop when ordered. However we did not shoot anyone, and it was 
seen in the morning that the rehel picket line we were watching so 
closely was only a row of little cedar trees. From there we marched 
to Mine Run where the rebel picket line was the real genuine article 
and did not wait to be shot at but very promptly offered to perform 
that service for us, without invitation or ceremony. 

The weather was intensely cold, our blankets froze to the 
ground, we ran out of provisions and, between hunger and cold, were 
fast losing our love for the service. Orders came for us to fall back, 
which we did with alacrity, and the charging rebels followed to see 
that we got safely over the Rapidan. After ten days of this service 
we returned to our old quarters and, on December 7, 1863, started to 
build winter quarters a mile and a half from Stevensburg and spent 
the winter in drilling and picket duty at Kelley's Ford. 

On the 3d of May, 1864, we broke camp, crossed the Rapidan 
at Ely's Ford and, in tlie evening, reached the battlefield of Chan- 
cellorsville. From there to the Wilderness as we marched we heard 
the sound of fighting that had already begun. There we were halted 
and ordered to throw up breastworks. Some men found a plow and 
tying a rope to it plowed up the ground, while the others threw up 
the dirt with our tin ]dates. 

We were not under fire in the Wilderness but we ran against a 
snag at Po River on the 10th of May. Here the fighting was fast 
and furious and we new men were under fire for the first time and 
were able to prove t<t our comrades that, although a man might wait 
to be drafted or be willing to serve as a substitute, tliere was nothing 
in those facts to prove that he was not willing to meet and endure 
his full share of service and sacrifice. Five of the new men were 
killed and seventeen wounded in the entire Regiment in this battle. 
We were forced back and, to cover our retreat, our batteries on the 
hill opened fire over our heads and threw their shell so low that they 
injured some of our new men. 



750 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

The Po River was a narrow stream and the pioneers had felled 
trees across it and on those we got over. As George W. Constable 
approached one of those logs to cross over a little fellow very badly 
wonnded appealed to him to help him over. He took the small man 
under his arm and stepped upon the log to cross over. Just then a 
man stepped in front of him and he promptly pushed him from the 
log and, when he turned round he saw the man he had pushed off 
was the Colonel. Constable was frightened but Beaver said, "All 
right; go ahead !" 

At Spotsylvania we charged the rebel line at daylight and took 
them by surprise. Many threw down their arms and surrenderea. 
We thought we had captured the whole Rebel Army but we were not 
long in finding out our mistake. They rallied their forces and drove 
us back. One of the new men said, "I came down that hill ten feet 
at a jump, a piece of shell or a limb struck me and sent me almost 
out of sight in the soft ground. I wanted to be entirely out of sight 
for a while." 

We fought and marched day and night; had hardly time to eat. 
Constable said it took ten miles of fire for him to cook a beef's tongue 
he had secured and said Captain Montgomery measured the distance. 

At the North Anna River we formed in a corn field and were 
ordered to lie down, a hard rain came up and converted the 
surface of the corn field into a mud puddle. Among the new 
men "was a queer genius whom we named Knickenbracken. He 
would not drill and would not be mustered for ]>ay but, when 
it came to fighting, was there every time. Captain Bayard 
was a little excited and, seeing Knickenbracken lying in the 
mud, said, "Get up, Knickenbracken !" He rose up on his 
hands and knees. Just then a rebel shell fell close in front of us 
"ker flop," throwing the mud all over us, and out of the shower of 
mud was the voice of the (^aptain saying, "Lie down, Knicken- 
bracken.'' When the mud had all fallen, Knickenbracken peeped 
out under his blanket and said, "What sort of orders are you giving 
us. Captain ?" 

After more marching and fighting, we at last brought up in 
front of Petersburg. Hero we had a lively time dodging shell and 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 751 

"juking" bullets. It was a very hot place but an interesting one. Here 
in the fall we were given Spencer rifles and bore our full share of 
the hard fighting. 

On the 27th of October, a detail of one hundred men from our 
Kegiment charged and captured the rebel fort in front of us. 01 
Company H's detail of ten men in that charge, only three came back 
alive. William Pearson, one of the new men, came back from the 
charge wounded. We carried his knapsack to the ambulance on 
which he left for the hospital. He laughed when we bid him good- 
bye and said, "Well, 1 guess 1 am good for a furlough," and he wa^, 
for in two hours he was dead. We hung around the front of Peters- 
burg sometimes in one fort, then in another. 

Our dinner on Thanksgiving Day was something to be thank- 
ful for: Goose (mouldy), apples (rotten), baked beans (sour). 
There were lots of pies at the commissary for the officers, but we 
shared with them witliout an invitation. 

At last we landed at Fort Cummins on the left of the line, with 
good winter quarters, doing garrison and fatigiie duty. The fatigue 
duty consisted in building a dam to drown the rebels out but we 
never got any water in the dam. We were allowed whiskey when 
working on the dam but it never came. One day Captain Sutton 
was in charge of the work. We were sure we would have some. He 
wrote an order and sent a man to the commissary with some canteens 
for it. He did not return and the Captain sent a Corporal and a 
guard after him. They found him along the road, took the canteens 
and started for the dam but did not get there — the temptation was 
too strong for them — and finally the Captain started to hunt them, 
found them on the road and to save further trouble took the canteens 
to camp himself and that was the last of the whiskey. 

While we were there, a man was to be hung for some crime he 
committed and, while the troops were trying to form a square about 
the scaffold, they scared up a rabbit and, in the excitement of the 
chase, almost forgot they had a man to hang. 

On the 25th of March, 1865, we started for the rebels and were 
not long in finding them. We had some hard fighting at Southsido 



752 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Railroad. It was our last tight and we "done them up brown," tak- 
ing a great many prisoners. 

After this our Regiment w^as detailed for forage duty for tho 
Division. We got down to business and soon captured some cattle 
and an old mule. We drove the cattle ahead of us and loaded the 
mule with all the knapsacks we could pile on him and he toted them 
along all right, till in crossing a field below Farmville we came to m 
wide open ditch over which we wanted liim to jump. He refused ; we 
coaxed him ; he could not do it ; we persuaded him ; he tried, landing 
on his back in the bottom of the ditch, witli our knapsacks under 
him. We fished them out as best we could and thereafter bore our 
own burdens. 

We soon gathered up a good herd of cows, hogs, sheep and some 
geese and lived well. 

In crossing the country we came to a fine mansion. Some of 
the boys being of an inquiring turn of mind went in and found 
peach brandy in the cellar. We had been having plenty of apple 
jtjck Init it was liot and the drink of connuon ]>0()pl<', l)Ut h(»re was the 
drink of the first families of Virginia, the very "nectar that Juj>itet 
sips." It was soft and smooth and drank well. We drew a tin cu]) 
full and drank of it. The effect was magical ; we were no longer a 
predatory band of soldiers tramping over the country, committing 
various acts of ]>etty larceny, but the v(n-v war gods, the conquerers 
of the realm ; all things were ours by sacred right of conquest ; why 
should we not take what we chose ? We drank deeply of the delight- 
ful beverage and our importance and the glory we had acliieved were 
greatly increased; the night came on as sweetly as an evening in 
Araby the blest and we folded ourselves by the wayside as pleasantly 
as though we had been tucked in a bed of eiderdown and covered 
with silken wraps by the gentle hands of our mothers. The detail 
moved on and left us alone in our glory. When we awakened, the 
sun was shining full in our face, but whether it was rising or setting 
we could not tell, nor which was east or west, north or south, or which 
was the rear or which the front of the Army were problems entirely 
beyond our ability to solve. We were a vagabond in a land where 
every man's hand was sure to be against us, as our hand was against 



THE 148TH FENNSYLf^ANU VOLUNTEERS 755 

every man. Fortunately the lowing" of the herd our comradec 
was driving attracted our attention, giving us direction and, by a 
forced march, we overtook them. 

We arrived just in time. Orders had been received to abandon 
the herd and join the Brigade. As we came to the front, the cry 
was everywhere that Lee surrendered and the War was over. Below 
us was the old Army of Northern Virginia which we had been fight- 
ing for four years, broken and ragged and starved but as sullen and 
belligerent as ever, but they had reached the last ditch ; the news 
was true; Lee had surrendered; our work was done and joy wa^ 
supreme with the men in blue. Strong men wept for very joy. We 
were to see again the green hills of our grand old state and enjoy 
again the comforts and pleasures of our homes. We shook hands 
with the rebels and congratulated them, then we shook hands and 
congratulated ourselves ; then, with light hearts and springing steps, 
we began our return march. At Burkesville we received our first 
mail and the congratulations and praises of our friends, and learned 
of the excitement reigning at the I^orth. 

At Alexandria, with deepest regret, we were separated from our 
old comrades with whom we had fought for more than a year, and 
were transferred to the 53d Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteer Regi- 
ment. We saw them break camp and march away for home. A 
month later we followed them and were soon at our old homes among 
the green hills of Cambria County, again citizens of our great com- 
monwealth, doing the Ix-st we could to diseliarge the duties of civil 
life. 

As illustrating the intelligence, proficiency and zeal with which 
some of the drafted men and substitutes discharged their duties a^ 
soldiers, it may be well to add here some facts which appear in the 
records of the several companies of the Regiment and, in order to 
understand the significance of them, it is well to remember that this 
class of recruits joined the Regiment in the autumn and winter of 
ISOo and the early spring of 1864 and that the Regiment as a whole, 
having enlisted in September, 1862, had the advantage of a full year 
of service, and it is not to be presumed that the claims of the older 



754 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

men for promotion would have been ignored for the benefit of those 
who came later. 

The following, who were all drafted men, except where it othei- 
wise appears, were promoted in their several companies as indicated. 

William Latta of B Company was promoted to Corporal August 
17, 1864. 

Jerome B. Stuart, of C Company, was promoted to Sergeant 
June 1, 1864, and was subsequently made Second Lieutenant of the 
109th United States Colored Troops August 2, 1865. Lewis A. 
Wood, of the same company, was promoted to Corporal and killed at 
Po Kiver May 10, 1864. 

William J. Bickford, of D Company, was promoted to Corporal 
December 10, 1864. Jacob Cory, of the same company, promoted 
to Corporal January 1, 1865. Charles H. Hohnbon, a substitute 
promoted to Corporal March 14, 1865. 

John A. Flack, of H Company, promoted to Corporal January 
1, 1865. 

Ru&sling S. Adams and Russell Weeks, of I Company, pro- 
moted to Corporal ; date not given. 

At the time the Regiment was mustered out in June, 1865, the 
men who enlisted early had but two months to serve. All of the 
original officers and men were, therefore, discharged and the regi- 
mental organization as such became extinct. The recruits, draftea 
men and substitutes, who came to the Regiment in 1863 and 1864, 
had from one to two years to serve. The able-bodied men of these 
were, therefore, all transferred to the 53d Regiment of the same 
brigade which, having enlisted as a veteran regiment, continued its 
regimental organization, there being an expectation or at least a 
possibility that their services might be required later either in the 
South or in Mexico, in case the attempt to establish a monarchical 
form of government in that country should be persisted in by France. 



THE STORY OF COMPANY I. 



PART I. 

By Adjutant Joseph E. Hall. 

One afternoon of a pleasant August day in lSt)2, a number of 
wagons were made ready to take a company of volunteers from the 
town of Brookville, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, to the nearest 
railroad station forty miles distant. An unusual number of people 
■were in town that day to exchange farewells when necessary but to 
remain with them who were going as long as possible. Soon after 
noon these farewells were spoken, tears at parting were seen on 
many faces, while comforting words were exchanged, and promises 
made with as much of cheer as could be brought to the surface, the 
wagons were loaded and the men went off with cheers and shouts, 
leaving behind them a sense of loss and loneliness. The jolting of 
the wagons and the sights along the roads were ma<lo the occasion 
for many a good natured sally, and as the farm people would look 
out at the passing wagons and be greeted with a hearty "'Good-by^e," 
the remark came naturally, ''They seem like a happy lot of fellows," 
to be followed in most cases by the additional remark, "Poor fel- 
lows, they do not know what is before them." A ride of twenty 
miles that afternoon brought the company to the town of Punxsu- 
tawney where supper and lodging were provided. An early start was 
made necxt morning with a promise of breakfast about eight miles 
further on. As this town of Marchand was neared, farmers came 
out to invite a wagon load to stop for breakfast and where the invi- 
tation was accepted an ample and appetizing meal was furnished 
with the compliment of the host and hostess. Where the writer took 
breakfast three grown up daughters with sisterly interest accom- 
panied us in our wagon to town about a mile and a half distant, and 
when the company got together and started off bidding them good- 
bye, a very limited number of us, more daring than the rest, left an 
impression on each fair cheek, which they did not resent as we were 
Uncle Sam's boys, and they were for the Union. 



756 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

The town of Indiana, our destination, was reached soon after 
the middle of the day. Here our teams and teamsters left us and 
we parted with home associations to try the experience of a soldier's 
life, which began here, by loading the company into box freight cars 
for transportation to Harrisburg, which place we reached during 
the night. JSText morning our breakfast of a piece of dry bread and 
some coifee in a tin cup was disposed of with many a joke over tne 
orders that were given for ham and eggs, veal cutlets, etc., that did 
not materialize. Camp Curtin was now our rendezvous for a week. 
Before leaving home the company by ballot had selected Silas J. 
Marlin, Captain, John A. McGuire, First Lieutenant, Orlando H. 
Brown, Second Lieutenant, and these men now assumed the duties 
of their office. After two or three days in camp. Captain Marliu 
informed us we were assigned to a Regiment to be commanded by 
Col. James A. Beaver wdio had been Lieutenant Colonel of the -15th 
Pennsylvania. This news gave satisfaction in the thought that our 
regimental leader had seen service and we were not to be subject 
to the caprice of a novice. We learned too that Captain Stewart's 
company formed in Jefferson and Indiana Counties, and Captain 
Core's company from Clarion County were to join with us, and later 
that we w^ere Company I and the others E and K as given, and that 
our Regiment was to be known as tlie 148th Pennsylvania. A re- 
ligious service in camp one evening brought us in contact with many 
men of the Regiment and with T^ieutenant Stevens, afterwards Chap- 
lain of the Regiment whose sym])athetic natui'c, and anxiety to 
promote both the physical and moral welfare of the men were shown 
during the history of the Regiment by numberless acts of heroism 
and self sacrifice. 

After a week in Camp (''urtin the Reginiont was sent to do 
duty along the railroad between Baltimore and Harrisburg and 
Company I with three other companies were stationed at C^'ockeys- 
ville, Maryland, where the routine duties of a soldier's life began. 
Here we formed the a('(|\iiiiiitan('e of the Colonel and other tield 
and staff officers, and soon recognized in our leader a disciplinarian, 
ambitious to bring his Regiment to such a state of ))roficiency in 
niilitars' tactics a« to make its reliabilitv in action a certaintv. While 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANU VOLUNTEERS 757 

here Captain Marl in left us to enlist some more men to fill up the 
company and returned one day with eighteen men, three of whom 
became somewhat notable characters. One of them was William 
llodgers, conspicuous on account of his advanced age. As he 
marched into camp, his gray hair, tall and slender figure, attracted 
attention and criticism that such an old man should be enlisted, 
as he could be of very little use as a soldier. He proved himself 
on the contrary one of the best soldiers in the com})any. His duties 
were quietly and conscientiously performed, and on the long 
marches, the fatiguing duties incident to an active campaign, or in 
line of battle, William Rodgers was to be depended on. He passed 
safely through the War, and for years after his soldierly bearing 
ajid dignified carriage made him a conspicuous character on the 
streets of Brookville. He was past eighty years of age before his 
final summons came and his comrades laid him to rest. Another 
of these recruits was James Cochran, a stalwart lumberman with 
a splendid physique and a generous appetite. Jim was an all 
around good fellow in many ways, but not over anxious to do duty, 
or over scrupulous as to his means of avoiding it, or his methods 
of satisfying his appetite occasionally at the expense of that of his 
comrades, but shrewd enough to meet any suspicion of his irregu- 
larity with a visage so unruffled and a protestaton of innocence so 
apparently sincere as to carry him along safely. This quality 
possibly proved his salvation in prison, for Jim was captured at 
Reams Station, and we expected him to die of starvation, but he 
did not. If the writer is correct, Jim never returned to the Regi- 
ment, but after the War when questioned by his comrades, used to 
divulge some of the means he resorted to in order to duplicate him- 
self and his rations while in prison. He frequently outwitted the 
guardian of the Confederate supplies and when detected in some 
scheme, had plenty of leisure to devise a new one. Jim's memory 
was remarkable, and when his comrades after the War wanted a 
witness to assist them in a pension claim, he was most accommodat- 
ing and generous with his evidence. He became engaged in covering 
roofs with some kind of asphalt preparation and died from the 
effects of a fall from a roof which he was coverins;. The third 



758 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

recruit \va.< William Acker a stranger to all in the company, who 
enlisted at Harrisburg, and whose good nature and quaint expres- 
sions did so much when men were tired and irritable on a long 
march, to keep them in courage and amuse them. Acker lost an 
arm as the result of an unfortunate mistake by one of the later 
recruits, while on the picket lines during the latter part of the 
campaign, and left the service very much to the regret of his com- 
rades. 

Colonel Beaver issued an order soon after our arrival at Cook- 
eysville giving the following daily program to keep us well em- 
ployed. Reveille, 5 :30 a, m. ; breakfast, six ; company drill, seven 
ta eight; cleaning guns, accoutrements, etc., eight to nine; guard 
mounting, nine ; squad drill, ten to eleven-thirty ; twelve, dinner ; 
1 :00 p. M.^ non-commissioned officers drill ; two to four battalion 
drill ; five, supper ; five-thirty, dress parade ; eight-thirty, tattoo ; 
nine, taps, when all lights were to be extinguished. On Tuesday 
and Friday as much of the Regiment as could well be brought to- 
gether would be exercised for a couple of hours in regimental drill it 
seme convenient locality. x\fter the arrival of the eighteen recruits 
referred to Captain Marlin announced his appointment of Sergeants 
and Corporals, which were later confirmed by the Colonel, thuugli 
most of the men had been serv^ing in the positions designated. As 
non-commissioned officers and privates we had at the time no knowlr 
edge of the reason for the order that came on the Ttli of December, 
ordering us to pack up and start next day for Washington to report to 
General Casey, but it came, nevertheless, though followed by a later 
dispatch giving us a day longer. The packing was done, however, and 
about noon of the 9th we bade farewell to Cockeysville. One man of 
Company I had died during our stay here, William Orr of Knox 
Township, Jefferson County, a very excellent man, engaged to be 
married to the sister of another man of the company, contracted 
typhoid fever and seeming to lose his grip partly through home- 
sickness, could not be brought through the disease and died at tlie 
temporary hospital to the regret of the entire company who respected 
him and mourned his death, while their sympathies went out for 
the bereaved ones at home. Twelve others were left in the hospital 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 759 

here, all of whom recovered later as we now remember. Company I 
was taken by rail to Baltimore along with the other companies 
gathered up by the way and marched through the city about two 
miles to the Union Relief Association. About 4 :00 p. m. we were 
ordered out to take the cars for Washington, arriving at five o'clock. 
The order to march, came about 1 :00 p. m. and we set out for the 
front. This afternoon on this march I was taken with cramps and 
giving out was prescribed for by Major Fairlamb and placed in one 
of the covered wagons hauling horse feed where I obtained relief 
and secured some rest before the Regiment stopped for the night. 
Our march ended with our arrival at the camp of the Anny of the 
Potomac and assignment to the First Brigade, Firet Division, Second 
Corps. The division had been desperately engaged at Fredericks- 
burg, losing in killed and wounded and missing two-thirds of their 
number, and it was not surprising in view of the recent loss, coupled 
with the disastrous defeat of our Army, that we found the survivors 
in depressed spirits, lacking confidence in General Burnside's ability 
to lead an Army successfully against General Lee. This feeling 
was dissipated as time passed, and a change of commanders nor 
long after followed by liberal rations and cheering orders from head- 
quarters, brought about a feeling of cheerfulness and confidence. 

During this winter occasional boxes and packages came through 
the lines from our friends after being carefully inspected by the 
provost marshal department. Lieutenant McGuire received word 
from Philadelphia friends that a box was on the way filled with a 
turkey, cake and other equipments for a fine Christmas dinner, 
including a bottle of vinegar. The box arrived. The turkey had 
been roasted somewhat and looked very tempting, the cakes were 
first class but the vinegar could not be found and the Lieutenant was 
cross at official interference which deprived him of "seasoning" to 
his dinner, and expressed his displeasure in language more forcible 
tiian elegant. A later examination of the turkey showed it to be 
stuffed with the very bottle that was missing, and the Lieutenant's 
joy at this discovery was quite amusing following so closely his 
uncalled for invective. Robert Omslear of the company succeeded 
by hanging the fowl in front of a good fire and turning it frequently, 



760 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

ii< getting it pretty well cooked, and the otHcer with some friends 
from other companies partook of a choice and rare meal to which the 
vinegar seemed to lend a good deal in the way of hilarity. 

Abont the middle of April the paymaster paid us his first visit 
with very gratifying results and a few days later our overcoats and 
dress coats were packed and sent to Washington for storage. Our 
A tents were exchanged for the light shelter tent, and our heavy 
rifles for the lighter .58 caliber Springfield rifles. Company I made 
tliese exchanges very willingly. Adjutant Kobert Lipton having 
gone home on sick leave died there. On April 27th Sergeant Major 
Mufily was a})pointed Adjutant and 1 was promoted to Sergeant 
Major. 

Next morning the start was made for United States Ford to be- 
gin the campaigTi preliminaiy to the tragic battle of Chancellorsville 
where the company was first under fire. Company I with four other 
companies of the Regiment was engaged on the left of our line to- 
ward Fredericksburg and held that part of the line during the en- 
gagement. Andrew Craft was killed in this battle, James Mc- 
Manigle and T\. B. Lyle wounded. The four companies of the Regi- 
ment supporting this line lost very heavily on the morning of the 
3d when taken to the right to assist in checking the advance of the 
enemy on that side, and they were among the last to retreat to the 
new position where our Army had made another stand. Captain 
!Marlin was given deserved credit for successfully withdrawing the 
six companies of the Regiment from the picket line in the face of 
the enemy. After the return to camp, R. M. Wadding was detailed 
as one of a party of thirty-two men sent back under a flag of truce 
to bury our dead, and had some interesting experiences in connection 
with the performance of that melancholy duty. 

On the march through Maryland and into Pennsylvania the 
company sufl^ered no casualties though sometimes on the picket line 
opposing the enemy's forces. The night of July 1st was one of sober 
reflection in view of an almost certain renewal of the engagement 
b/Cgan that day near Gettysburg. Frederick Gillhousen, in particu- 
lar, felt so strongly impressed that this battle would end his days 
that a wound not thought very serious at the time so preyed upon 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 761 

him as to destroy his courage and in a few days justify his fore- 
bodings and cause the loss of a good soldier. In the engagement in 
the wheat field on the afternoon of the 2d, I saw some of the com- 
pany receive very serious wounds. R. M. Wadding fell with what 
appeared to be a fatal wound in the abdomen. Not proving fatal, 
however, he tells since of lying there three days, sometimes on the 
Union side, sometimes among the Confederates, and at one time in 
trying to give a wounded Confederate soldier near him a drink of 
water in answer to his pathetic appeal, rolled his canteen which, un- 
fortunately, took a wrong direction and stopped out of the reach of 
either of them, each too badly wounded to drag himself to it. Sergt. 
Edward Murphy had an arm shattered necessitating subsequent 
amputation. Edward Plyler also lost an arm. John Howard was 
shot through the lung. Andrew Hagerty was wounded and not 
afterwards found. Thomas McCullough and Harrison Long each 
afterward died of their wounds. John Shuster and Hugh Barr were 
more or less wounded. Samuel Shaw was instantly killed. Com- 
rade R. B. Lyle says Company I lost seven killed and four wounded 
at Gettysburg. Company I secured four or five prisoners during this 
engagement in the wheat field which the Sergeant Major then with 
the company sent back under guard of two men. Colonel Cross com- 
manding the Brigade came along about this time shouting, '^Close 
up," and being informed all were doing well, responded, "That's 
right," and passed to our right to receive his death wound shortly 
after. Lieutenant McGuire was wounded in this battle. 

Harry Long, as he was called, was the shortest man in the com- 
pany and generally on marches seemed to carry the largest load. 
He was among the favorites in the company. 

During the summer following the battle of Gettysburg after 
the return to Virginia, Company I received an addition to its num- 
bers of twenty-six men sent from the recruiting stations in the 
Xorth. About this time Captain Marlin was detailed as Acting As- 
sistant Inspector General on the stalf of General Caldwell, com- 
manding our Division. Lieut. O. H. Brown was absent on duty 
nt Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and for a time Company I was under 
command of Lieutenant McCartney of Company B. Lieutenant Mc- 



762 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Guire returned in September and took charge. The writer recalls an 
ei:trj in his diary about this time of a fine of one dollar against B. 
F. McGiffin for snapping a cap on his rifle contrary to orders and 
believes the amount was never collected. 

During the winter following I was sent with Alex. McQuiston 
as part of a regimental detail for recruiting service. During this 
winter a number of sick and wounded returned for duty and several 
additions by recruits filled the company over its minimum for the 
spring campaign. Second Lieut. O. H. Brown had been discharged 
by general orders while away from the Regiment, and Orderly Sergt. 
J. Frank Grain, secured the promotion. In this campaign of 1864 
Company I lost at Po River three men killed and five wounded (so 
says Lyle; names not given) and in the memorable battle of Spot- 
sylvania, two days later. First Lieut. John A. MoGuire received a 
mortal wound which caused his death in two or three days. His 
loss was very much regretted as he had made himself a popular 
officer, and was fearless in the discharge of duty. There were two 
men killed, three wounded and four missing at this time (as per 
Lyle) and at Cold Harbor the company lost one killed, six wounded 
and four captured (Lyle). It was here that William Acker lost an arm 
as already mentioned. The recruiting detail returned here just after 
the Army left and were ordered to guard the wagon train on its way 
across the James River to Petersburg. In the first charge of June 
16th the company lost one killed, three wounded and one missing 
(Lyle). 

On the 2d of August in front of Petersburg, Second Lieutenant 
Grain was promoted to be First Lieutenant and I was made Second 
Lieutenant of the company. Captain Patterson of Company G 
kindly presented Lieutenant Hall with a sword which the newly 
commissioned officer very gratefully accepted. The company 
took its part in the engagements about Petersburg, losing 
heavily in missing at the battle of Reams Station on the 25th 
of August. At least two of these missing men are believed to have 
died in prison. One of these, Lewis Dibler, was reported to have 
been shot and killed by a guard at Salisbury, North Carolina, and 
Hugh Barr also (H(m1 there. On the 6th of September T received 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 763 

a commission as Adjutant 183d Pennslyvania and the next day was 
mustered and left the Regiment to assume duty in my new position. 
My place in the company was filled by promotion of First Sergt. 
Frank W. Clark, who served as Second Lieutenant until the close of 
the War. The men of the company were pleased to be a portion of 
the one Regiment in the Division to secure the new Spencer repeat- 
ing rifles, which they soon learned to use effecti\'ely. Lieutenants 
Crain and Clark were with the company during the remainder of its 
organization and with it engaged in quite active and aggressive 
service, the superiority of the rifle used by the Regiment bringing 
it quite often to the front. 

Captain Marlin after his assignment to staff duty during the 
summer of 1863, continued to act as division inspector serving as 
such upon the staff of Generals Caldwell, Barlow and Miles. For 
gallant service at Reams Station he was made brevet Major, and 
during the winter following was brevetted Lieutenant Colonel in rec- 
og-nition of his valuable work. He was commissioned Major of the 
Regiment on June 1, 1865, but was not mustered as such, being at 
the time on duty at Fortress Monroe under General Miles, who had 
charge of the captured chief of the fallen Confederacy. At his home 
in Brookville after the War, the title of Colonel Marlin was given 
him, and he held an honored place in the community for over twenty 
years, until in 1888 he was called to answer the final summons, 
leaving a widow and one son. Besides the transfer of myself to the 
183d Pennsylvania, James W. Rea was transferred to the Signal 
Corps, and Sanderson P. Stacy won a lieutenancy in the 43d Regi- 
ment United States Colored Troops. Alexander McQuiston after 
his return from recruiting service was killed by the enemy's bayonet 
thrust before Petersburg (Reams Station [?]). McGiffin only 
escaped a similar fate by being a good runner. One of the 
coolest men in action as the writer remembers him was T. 
S^\'inefold. This was particularly noticeable at Gettysburg 
where he took such deliberate aim and, unlike many who 
seemed desirous of exhausting thier ammunition, fired only 
when he felt he could fire effectively. Strengthened by a conviction 
that he was not to lie shot, he was ready to take the advance of a 



764 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

charge, ami iii.sj)ire(l others hv his lieroie and iialhint conduct. lie 
survived tlic conHict and is yet a respected citizen in the commimity 
from which he enlisted. J. M. Davis was the youngest member of 
the company, being about fourteen when enlisted as a musician. 
He never served in that cai)acity, but with his gun and equipments 
performed faithfully the work of a private soldier. 

J. M. Love and J. W. Smith, after two years of active service 
were transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps. Sergt. Robert Kis- 
singer has a record of valuable service performed as a spy, and 
Corp. William Harley rendered at one time somewhat similar ser- 
vice, capturing one of the scouts of the enemy in front of Peters- 
burg. 

R. M. Snyder also served in the Veteran Reserve Corps, doing 
some effective work in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, in quelling 
disturbances in connection with draft riots. For this work he was 
promoted to Sergeant of his company. 

Alexander Douglass was the only member of the color guard 
who escaped from the woods of Chancellorsville, but he brought the 
colors with him. He was among the missing at Spotsylvania Court 
House, May 12, 1864. 

R. M. Wadding after an absence of something over a year 
from the effects of his wound at Gettysburg, returned to the Regi- 
ment and was soon after detailed for clerical duty at the head- 
quarters of the Division where he remained tin til the close of the 
War. Many other instances of personal braxerv and special duty 
on the part of members of the company did not come under notice 
of the writer or have passed from memory during the years that 
have lapsed. Their omission from this narrative will in no way 
detract from the record of honorable service to which each one "vvho 
did his duty is entitled or lessen the ai)prcM*iatioii and gratitude of 
their countrymen. 

There are twenty-three survivors so far as known at this writ- 
ing, viz: l^wis Cobb, Isaiah S. Davis, John M. Davis, Jacob Haugh, 
R. B. Lyle, John W. Demott, Lyman E. Ma]x^, IST. P. O'Connor, 
J.W. Smith, T. Swinefoi'd, Lewis A. Slaii liiian, doliial ^'asbinder. 
R. ]\r. Wadding, living at or near Brookville. Pennsylvania; .\, E. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 765 

Hall, Clatskanie, O'regon ; Wallace Coon, Tionesta, Pennsylvania; 
Calvin Dixon, DuBois, Pennsylvania; Harrison Katz, Clarington, 
Pennsylvania; David M. Hillis, Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania; I. J. 
Grenoble, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; B. F. McGiffin Topeka, Kan 
sas; J. M. Love, Collensburg, Pennsylvania; Joseph Antiiurs, present 
address nnkno^vn ; Samnel Ransom, present address nnknown. 



766 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

THE STORY OF COMPANY I. 



PART II. 

By Corp. Jacob B. Rumbaugh. 
I enlisted in Company I, 148th Regiment, in Jefferson County,, 
Pennsylvania, near a place called Hagerty Town at a brick hotel with 
a frame addition. The upper floor was used for a ball room and the 
Icwer floor for a ware room. I went down stairs when the speaking 
was about over and on my return I met my brother-in-law, James 
Tniby, who told me to hurry as they were calling for volunteers. 
We started to go in and just as Truby stepped in the floor gave away. 
Some two hundred people went down with it. It looked to me as if 
the earth had opened and swallowed them. There was no person 
badly hurt. I remember that a woman went down with a baby in 
her arms and lit on a whiskey barrel. Some one asked her if she 
was hurt, and she said, "ISTo, but I am mad because I couldn't get a 
drink out of the barrel." In a few days we went to Harrisburg, were 
sworn into United States service, and went to Cockeysville with the 
Regiment. We stayed there until December; then we went into 
Virginia when the first Fredericksburg fight was over; did picket duty 
until Chancellorsville, our first battle. We were marched from one 
place to another for some time, then sent to support a battery. We 
were placed in front of it and they fired over us. I had my head 
up to see what was going on in our front when Lieutenant McGuire 
told me to keep down or I would get hurt and just then something 
grazed me on the side of the face. I got down. On Friday evenin^g 
Colonel Beaver sent our company out on the skirmish line. Our 
Regiment was called the Sunday soldiei*s and just as we were ready 
to start tlie Colonel said, ''Boys, show them what Sunday soldiers 
con do." And we did. We were out on the skirmish line from 
Friday evening until Sunday afternoon and we drove the rebels 
back every time they came up to us and on Sunday morning they 
sent a line of battle against us and we drove that back, then we 
had rest until in the afternoon when a battery opened in our rear. 
Wo thought it was our own battery. Captain Marlin sent Sergeant 
Murphy back to tell them to elevate their giins or they would hurt 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 767 

some of us. The Sergeant came back on the run and said they were 
rebels that were shelling us and were forming a line to advance on 
us. We got out of that as soon as we could and glad we were to get 
where we could make a cup of coffee. We then went back to our 
old camp. In June we started on the march to Gettysburg. We 
marched two hundred and thirty-five miles and arrived there on 
the evening of July 1, 1863. On the 2d we fought in the wheat 
field. 

We had fifty seven men in Company I when we went in and 
twenty answered to their names after we came out. It looked as 
thouo-h we would all be killed or wounded before we were 
relieved. I saved a rebel's life there. He was lying behind a rock 
and firing on us until we got right up to him and then he sur- 
rendered. After he surrendered! Cal Dixon was about to shoot him, 
I struck his gun up and said not to shoot. I thought it would not 
be right to kill him after he had surrendered. After the battle I 
asked Dixon why he was going to kill the reb and he said it made 
him so mad to think he would lay behind the rock and fire at us 
and then surrender. When going off the battlefield I helped carry 
a wounded Colonel off the field, but do not remember what regiment 
he belonged to. Then on the 3d we were under that heavy cannon- 
ading when it made the earth tremble. On the 4th I was sent back 
to the hospital sick and then was sent to Chestnut Hill Hospital, 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I was there about three months. I 
got back to the Kegiment in ISTovember in time for the Mine Run 
movement. We were there two or three days. We were out sup- 
porting a skirmish line and nearly froze as the weather was very 
cold. May, 1864, we started on that terrible campaign of 1864 
when it was march all night and fight all day. Our Regiment got to 
the Wilderness on May 6th. Our Brigade was put on the reserve 
at Po River. We advanced through the bnish and waded the stream. 
On the 10th we had a hard fight with the rebs. Our Regiment held 
a whole division of the enemy until they got the rest of the brigade 
across the Po River. We stayed until we were almost surrounded. 
The woods got afire and the wounded that could not walk were 



L 



768 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

burned. We lost about tbree bundred men killed and wounded 
on tbe Spotsylvania field. 

On the nigbt of May lltb tbe Orderly Sergeant came 
and woke us up and told us tx) put our tin cups in our 
haversacks and not to speak above a whisper and fall in ranks. 
We knew then that we bad some hard fighting to do ; by this time 
wo did not expect anything else, for if there was any fighting to be 
done we always got our share of it. We started on the march in a 
drizzling rain. We followed a man with a lantern and we would 
go a little way, halt, advance and halt. We kept that up until about 
midnight when we halted and the Colonel formed the Regiment in 
five columns, two companies in a column. We fixed our bayonets 
and lay down on the wet ground. Just at the break of day we got 
the command to forward. We started and never stoppel unitl we 
were in the rebel's works at Spotsylvania Court House. Then the 
slaughter began. Men were killed with bayonets and butts of guns 
until they lay eight and ten deep; there were ten thousand men hurt 
in twenty minutes. Trees shot down with minie balls. Brush 
cut down as though mowed down with a sickle. The last I saw of 
Major Fairlamb he was on the breastworks waving his sword and 
saying, "Come on boys, the last day of the Rebellion is here," in that 
fine voice of his. He was soon captured. We were there several 
days. 

Then we went to the North Anna and tlience to Cold Harbor, 
whore we made another charge that did not succeed. The dead and 
wounded lay thick on the field. We charged over, fell back a short 
distance and threw up breastworks with our bayonets and tin pans. 
Some stood up and fired at the enemy while the rest worked. We 
were there about ten days. Before this, at North Anna River where 
our Regiment was ordered to advance and find the enemy's position, 
\ve were ordered not to fire a shot. We advanced over a field that 
was planted in corn until we came upon the enemy. They opened 
on ns with muskets and artillery. We turned about and marched 
back without the loss of a man. We went back a short distance and 
were ordered to lie down. A heavy rain came up and we had to 
wait until it was over. When we left Cold Harbor we started for 



THE 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 769 

the James River. We crossed the ri\-er and went to Petersburg 
where it was fight nearly all the time. I could tell of seventeen 
battles I was in but it was the same thing over and over. It wa^ 
fight, men getting killed and wounded by the thousands. 

August 25, 1864, T was captured. We were sent to tear up the 
Weldon Railroad ; there were two divisions of the Second Army 
Corps there. We had a fight at Reams Station with A. P. Hill'^ 
Corps of four divisions and two divisions of Longstreet's Corps. The 
rebs had six divisions against our tw^o small ones, but we put up a 
hard fight before they broke our line and captured fourteen hundred 
of us. We went back through a piece of woods and there was not 
a stump or tree or sapling that was big enough to shield a person 
that did not have a dead or wounded rebel behind it. They said it 
was the dearest victory they had ever won. Here is where Colonel 
Beaver and I left the Army. The Colonel lost his leg, and we never 
got back to the Regiment. The prisoners were sent to Richmond to 
Libby and Belle Island. I was there about a month, then was sent 
to Salisbury, North Carolina. There is no pen or tongue that can 
tell the suffering that was in those prisons. We were starved for two 
and three days at a time and when we did get anything to eat we 
could eat it all at once. It really was not fit to eat when we did 
get it and it had to do twenty-four hours. We had no shelter or 
blankets to cover us for over one month. Then our Government 
sent us some tents. If there is a hell on earth Ave surely were in 
it. The rebs would send ever)' morning a four-mule team into 
the prison pen to take out the dead. I have seen as many as fifty 
taken out in a morning. One man would take a man l)v the head 
and one by the feet and throw him into the wagon and take them 
out and bury them in a trench. There was between twelve and 
thirteen thousand in the prison from Oetober to February, and there 
were only four thousand five hundred and some odd came out when 
we were let out on paiT)le February 22, 1865. I came home in 
March, took the typhoid fever and the War was over before I could 
go back t.0 my Regiment. 



770 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



THE STORY OF COMPANY I. 



PART III. 

By I. J. Grenoble. 

(Comrade Grenoble was the only Centre County man in Company I. — 
Editor.) 

The desire to be a soldier was brought upon me by the excite- 
ment and a number of friends that had enlisted at the time. Being 
only sixteen years old I feared they would not accept me. I had 
been living with Maj. J. B. Fisher a number of years. His military 
career being well known to the Governor and others, he was pre- 
vailed upon to take the colonelcy of the regiment. As he helped 
largely with his influence to swell the ranks of the companies formed 
in the county, and during the excitement he had the war fever, and 
had fully decided to go. So he called me back into his office in 
his store at Centerville, now Penn Hall, and requested me to stay 
with his family if he went, saying that his wife gave her consent, 
and he would go that afternoon and see his parents and if they would 
let him go he would leave. But their protest against his going was 
so strong that he yielded to their wish. Then, as I told the boys that 
had gone, that if the Major did not go, I would come, not to take 
the colonelcy, but to be with them in the ranks. So after the Major 
had decided, I determined to go but unknown to any one except 
three chums, who always said if I would go they would surely go 
along. We agreed to meet at Musser's Hotel, at Centerville, on 
Sunday evening, September 7, 1862, after church at Green Grove. 
We all went to church and met at the hotel. John Brown, who 
worked for Mr. G«o. Musser, was to haul U3 as far as the top of 
Seven Mountains that night. The three had all kinds of excuses 
for not going just then and declined, and Brown refused to take me 
to the mountain top. So I had to go alone and traveled across the 
Seven Mountains to Lewistown, the nearest railroad station. I 
arrived there before noon and boarded the first passenger train for 
Harrisburg, arrived lat© in the evening, and staid . at a hotel over 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 77 1. 

night. Tuesday morning I made for Camp Curtin, where the 
boys were in camp. They were surprised to see me and still more 
so when I informed them that I came to stay. They did not expect 
that I would be accepted, being too young and small. But I passed 
after some hesitation and urging by the doctors. 

The company I had intended to join was full, so Capt. Robt. 
H. Forster, of Company A, advised me to join Capt. Silas J. Mar- 
lin's company. So by evening of September 9th I was a member of 
the 148th. The difficulty came Avhen they were to give me the uni- 
form — none small enough, so I went in my citizen's clothes for 
several weeks while in camp at Cockeysville, Maryland. While here 
the peaches were in season. An old farmer had a large orchard 
about a mile back from camp. He did not have much sympathy 
for the boys in blue, but was trying to make all the money from 
us by sending two loads of peaches a day to the camp for sale, but 
if any of us went to his house he was too stingy to offer any, and 
when we tried to buy some he wanted more than what his boys were 
selling them for at camp. One day several of us had gone out to 
his place and a few called at the house and entertained him and 
his wife while the rest secured a supply of the fruit and retreated 
to a piece of woods where they were joined by the entertaining com- 
mittee and all enjoyed a good mess of the fruit. 

While doing picket duty just below Fredericksburg, Virginia, 
the boys got quite intimate with the Confederates and established 
a kind of exchange. Our boys gave coffee, salt, etc., for tobacco. 
Through this they got quite sociable and whenever an opportunity 
came we talked together. Several times the Johnnies invited our 
boys to come across the river to a social dance in a private house in 
the city. This was accepted by a number of the boys, among thehi 
were Lieut. John McGuire. All returned much pleased with the treat- 
ment and courtesy shown towards them by the men, officers and 
ladies in Fredericksburg. One night while on picket, the officer of 
the day came to us and gave orders not to cause any alarm to be 
made if we noticed any person crossing the river, but to call quietly 
the nearest officer. While all was quiet only a strong wind near mid- 
night, an object was noticed moving and coming across the river. 



I 



772 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

We followed instructious, and a person dressed in rebel uniform 
came, was taken to the rear by officer of the picket line to General 
Hancock's headquarters. It was the General's spy. 

I remember well the day, Afay 1, 1863, when we reached Chan- 
cellorsville, when the nnister-in roll was called, many answered for 
the last time to their name on this soil. We moved out on high 
ground in line of battle and could see the rebs place their troops and 
cannons on a hill in front of us. We were ordered to lie down on the 
ground. While the Colonel was sitting on his horse, he said, ''Lay 
low, boys, I'll tell you when to get up and fire, and we'll show theui 
that Sunday soldiers are good soldiers in front." I suppose he was 
thinking of what the Irish Brigade boys said: that they wanted to 
be our reserve in time of battle and they would make us keep our 
place ; as they claimed that the first volley fired into us would cause us 
all to run. But as we all well know after the battle the Irish boys had 
nothing to say about us as Sunday soldiers. After we had got put 
from our line of battle in rear of the line formed after the Eleventh 
Corps broke, I examined my clothing and knapsack and found that 
seven bullets had passed through my gum blanket and shelter tent. 
and on opening the knapsack a bullet dropped out on the ground. 
Some one picked it up and asked if I did not want it. I said, "No," 
and he remarked, "I will keep it then." I met with no wound till 
on the 10th of May, 1864, at Po River near Spotsylvania Court 
House, Virginia, being shot in the left leg above the knee. I was 
kept from falling into the hands of the rebs by a comrade of Com- 
pany A taking my hand and dragging me to the rear; then he got 
another man to take the other hand and they pulled me along till we 
got to Maj. Geo. A. Fairlamb and Capt. A. A. Rhinehart. They took 
my accoutrements oif and put me on a blanket and got four men 
to carry me back to the rear across the river. The Captain carried 
the four gims for the boys that carried me. Just a few minutes 
before I was shot, I passed John Coony and Steve Kennelly, neigh- 
bors at home, both mortally wounded. When the boys had laid me 
down in a ditch an ambulance wagon came along and took me back 
to the place where the wounded were gathered. This was awhile 
before dark. During the night I slept good, had a piece of wood or 



THE 148TH FENNSYLf^ANU VOLUNTEERS 775 

stone for a pillow. Woke up weak — not strong enough to raise 
hands up to my head. During the forenoon, well towards noon, a 
surgeon came along and examined my wound. When he opened the 
pants' leg and drawers he shook his head and said I should lie quiet. 
1 told him I could not move. He said he would send men to bring 
me to the tent. This was a surgeon from a New York regiment, 
ours had been taken prisoners at the Wilderness, and that accounted 
for my lying there so long without being attended to.* When at 
the operating tent four or five doctors examined my wound and 
found that mortification had set in, and they decided that it was not 
worth while to do anything for me. I heard all their conversation, 
but one came and shook me a little and told me what they thought 
of my case, that they could not do anything for me except take the 
leg off but that would not help me, and if I had any money, watch 
or anything to send home I should give it to one of my acquaintances 
or to him and he would send it to anyone I would direct. I said 
no I will keep what I have with me. I told them to do the best they 
could for me. One of the surgeons remarked that there was more 
life than they thought. So one said, "Let us take it off." Then 
placing me on the operating table I told the one giving the ether 
not to cut till I was sound asleep. The doctor assured me they 
would not. 

After all was over and I got awake I was dressed in new 
clean red flannel undersuit of clothing. The feeling of the leg was 
just the same as if it had not been taken off. Towards evening a 
Lieutenant of Company E, who had the same misfortune to lose a 
leg, and myself were placed in an ambulance and started to Acquia 
Creek Landing. On the way we thought the driver was trying to 
drive over all the stumps and stones that could be found. We both 
suffered great pain. At the landing we were placed on a boat and 
taken to Washington. Then we were put into an ambulance again 
and taken out several miles from the city to Finley Hospital. That 
was a great deal worse than the first experience in the ambulance. 
We both thought we could not stand it any longer. The Lieutenant 
died. At the hospital the nurses and surgeons being scarce, I lay 
several days before any surgeon came around ; before they came 

*See the Surgeon's Story, pages 185-6. 



774 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

through the room or ward a nurse had come along and uncovered all 
the wounds, and when mine was uncovered he said, "Oh, my," and 
went on about his work. Then the head surgeon and a few others 
passed along. When passing he remarked, "There is one that needs 
a second operation." I said, "No." He said, "I am here to know 
what is to be done." The nurse followed them to tie up the wounds. 
He understood the business and told me that the bone was sticking 
out beyond the flesh more than three inches. Several days passed 
when the nurse came along and again uncovered all the wounds as 
before, and when the doctors passed the same remarks were made 
as to my case. When through the ward, one came back to me and 
said, "I see you are from Pennsylvania. So am I," and he would 
tt-ke me in his care. He said he would try and save me the second 
operation as he did not think that I could stand it, and to his sur- 
prise when he got ready to clean my leg he found it full of maggot?. 
He took the very best of care of me and succeeded in saving me the 
second operation, but the bone sloughed off at the sound flesh, and 
when it did come off measured over three inches long. The doctor's 
name was Evans, from Bucks or Berks County, Pennsylvania. Hi- 
kept the bone for a relic. It was through his good care of me that 
I am still among the living. After being at the Finley Hospital 
about a week, the ward master came to me with a letter and inquired 
if I knew a man by the name of J. B. Fisher, he had a letter that 
had been sent to the Regiment, and was forwarded and followed to 
the hospital. The doctors must have placed my name among the 
dead. I was reported in the newspapers as dead, and my friend. 
Major Fisher, was making inquiry as to how to get my body and 
have it sent home. The ward master said that he would answer 
the letter and tell him that I was still better than dead. When I 
was able to walk on crutches, I was sent, among others, to South 
Street Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Here I had a trying 
time with gangrene. When the leg was about healed the disease 
set in. 'I'liis hapju iic>l rlii'cc tiiiics, and it did ikI Ik ;il till I got mx'self 
a basin and all the necessary bandages, sponge, soap, etc., and dressed 
the leg myself. The cause of these repeated attacks of gangrene 
was the carelessness of the nurses using the same basin, etc., for 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 775 

all, only changing water. From this hospital all that had lost limbs 
were moved to Christian Street Hospital, and here a preacher by the 
name of Long had opened school. Had teachers for all branches that 
one wished to stndv, and telegraphing. I think the teachers did their 
work free for the benefit of those who wished to take the advantage. 
Before we got our discharge we were moved to West Chester 
Hospital. 



776 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



THE STOKY OF COMPANY I- 



PART IV. 

By R. M. Waddmg. 

Company 1 of the l-i-8tli Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers 
was recruited in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania and accredited, no 
doubt, to said county. The recruiting officers were Silas J. Marlin, 
Hugh Brady, John McGuire and O. H. Brown, the latter two becom- 
ing First and Second Lieutemuits. Hugh Brady, w^ho, it was ex- 
pected, would be Captain, was replaced by Silas J. Marlin. 

The company being about fully recruited assembled in Brook- 
ville, the county seat of Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, August 27, 
1862, whence the whole company was hauled in w^agons, hacks, etc., 
that day to Punxsutawney, same county, a distance of twenty miles. 
On the way at Cool Spring, the men were treated to a sumptuous 
dinner. The following morning, about three o'clock, the compan^y 
started in the same vehicles for Indiana Town, Pennsylvania, a dis- 
tac© of about thirty miles. Having stopped again for dinner at 
Marionville, we arrived at Indiana about 4:00 p. m., when we w^ere 
crowded into box cars (after the manner of loading cattle, except the 
board seats without backs) and thus the company was conveyed to 
Harrisburg, the state capital, wdiere we arrived some time during 
the morning, August 29th, and here being located two or three weeks 
in Camp Curtin, we were joined with one company from Indiana 
County, one from Clarion and seven from Centre County, which to- 
gether formed what was then designated as the 148th Regiment of 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

Here having been organized into a regiment, being fully 
equipped we were shipped to Cockeysville, Maryland. We joined the 
Army of the Potomac at Fredericksburg. 

At Chancellorsville on the morning of the 2d of May, 1863, 
we were placed in line with the Union Army a hundred rods or so 
north of the Chancellor House, where we lav a short time flat on the 




J. B. RUMBAUGH 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 117: 

ground, when Company 1 and Company A were called on to deploy 
and go forward as skirmishers and being ont but a short time, we 
were ordered back to the main line, and the Brigade was then 
massed in front of a battery of cannon close in front of the Chan- 
cellor House. Company I here was in the rear file almost under the 
guns, the shells passing over us. We were then again moved, as we 
thought, to the extreme left of the line and in a woods where Com- 
]3any I and A were again sent out as skirmishers. It was now about 
night and darkness coming on we were located on the side of a hill 
where a good view could be had, and in a short time the enemy ap- 
peared with a battery of two or three guns and we opened fire on 
them, and received their fire in return, their shells coming quite 
rapidly for a short time upon us ; when they by retreating were con- 
cealed behind the hill, we ceased firing and also retreated a few rods, 
so that the enemy might lose the range of us. R. B. Lyle, of Com- 
pany I, next man to me, was badly wounded in the above skirmisli 
by the concussion of a shell which seemed to have merely touched the 
top of his head. We then resumed our former position and remainei! 
there during the night. The morning light revealed to the enemy 
that we were still there and we were informed that our company wa.- 
in advance of the line. We were compelled to get back to our proper 
place, and our retreat was made under a rather hot fire from the 
enemy. After getting back an order of congratulation was sent n:^ 
by our commanding ofiicer for our pluck and bravery in standing 
our ground so well, while a part of the line on our right had run. 
Here being re-enforced by four other companies of our Regiment we 
were ordered to hold our position at all hazards. 

During the forenoon the fire by the enemy did not indicate a 
very strong force, but during all of the afternoon there was heavy 
and constant musket firing in our front and we of course did our 
best, though botli the enemy and we were still in the woods. Except 
a little to our right a short portion of the enemy's line could be seen 
in a cleared field to which I at least directed a good part of my atten- 
tion. Night coming on and the firing on both sides having ceased, 
a company of pioneers made their appearance in our front, where 
they made a general slashing; also piling up poles along our line as 



778 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

a shelter for us. We at the same time were engaged in digging holes 
ill the ground with our bayonets, that we might have all the shelter 
possible, and so, having accomplished what we could in this way, we 
arranged to try to get some sleep, it being ten o'clock or so. Every 
third man was placed on watch. The balance were to sleep two hours 
when they would be relieved and so it was to be during the night ; 
but before the first relief's time had expired there was a terrible 
charge made by the enemy on a certain .battery, with yelling, firing 
of musketry, firing of cannon, etc., that made it rather hideous for 
any further rest or sleep. 

At daybreak (Sabbath morning) the conflict was renewed all 
along the line seemingly with double energy. We on our part 
of the line, having used up our eighty rounds of cartridges some time 
in the forenoon, got a new supply and had shot away most of that 
when suddenly to our surprise the grape and canister began to rain 
down among us, coming in from our rear. By sending out a man 
we discovered that the whole Army had retreated except the six com- 
panies of the 148th and one company of the 81st Pennsylvania. The 
only casualty of our company here was one killed (Andrew Craft), 
shot through the head, the ball entering below the eye, and J. M. 
Davis wounded slightly in the hand. 

We being surrounded on three sides — on the right, rear and 
front — were really led out by Capt. S. J. Marlin. Having crossed a 
field, on our retreat and coming to a road, the commander of the 
81st troops and Captain Marlin had a dispute as to the right direc- 
tion to go, so each officer took his own course. Our six companies 
following Captain Marlin came out all right, but what became of 
the other troops I don't know except from rumor that they wort 
captured by the enemy. When we rejoined the Regiment we were 
placed in rear of extensive breastworks and were almost constantly 
under the fire of the enemy till three o'clock Wednesday morning. 
Our part of the line began its retreat and landed north of the Rajt- 
pahannock some time in the afternoon, hungry, tired and sleepy, an 
our eight days' ration had played out the previous day, and for one 
T had about two lialf night's sleep out of eight. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 



779 



Some days after tlie above battle I was one of a detail to visit 
the battlefield to endeavor to get the bodies of several officers who 
fell in the battle. The detail of the whole Army was but thirty-two 
men. I don't know how many were of our Regiment. We left camp 
May 16th and reported at what was called United States Ford on the 
Rappahannock at 7 :00 a. m., the 17th, having with us twelve coffins. 
That evening we had a response to our flag of truce, but as the pon- 
toons had not arrived, we did not cross till the next morning, the 
18th. When across we were placed in charge of southern officers, 
were marched to a General's headquarters and there sworn not to 
reveal anything to the JSTorthern Army which we might learn that 
would likely be to their advantage in any way. Being divided 
into four squads of eight in each, our squad visited the part arcund 
and near the Chancellor House. The numerous dead of that place 
were piled into deep ruts, or washouts, etc., and covered up with bui 
a few inches of clay, also a hole twelve or fourteen feet square dug 
for, as I was told, an ice house, two or three feet deep was filled. 
We dug in one corner for a body of an officer, but his condition was 
such that he was not recognizable. Night coming on we returned to 
the same General's headquarters where we spent the night, arguing 
and talking over our various battles, victories, etc. The next day 
we returned to the battleground and getting in all five bodies we 
recrossed the river and returned to camp. 

June 14th it was discovered that the Rebel Army was hard on 
its way into Pennsylvania, We were immediately started in pur- 
suit. June 20th, hearing of the enemy being at Thoroughfare Gap 
and having repulsed our cavalry there, our Brigade was started for 
there on a forced marcli, a distance of twenty miles or so. We ar- 
rived in the night, in intense darkness, cloudy and raining. In the 
morning, June 21st, pickets were sent out and a few shots or shells 
being fired we found the enemy's cavalry with a few pieces of light 
artillery was still near. Here we remained to guard the place, or 
await developments till June 26th. Leaving here, 7 :00 a. m., with 
Companies A, B and I in front as skirmishers, a few of the enemy's 
cavalry were found in our front but they soon retired and we marched 
back to Dumfrio*. itbort ^cvontoon miles. 



780 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Wednesday, July 1st, we marched about seventeen miles to 
within three miles or so of Gettysburg. During the day we couhl 
hear cannonading. On the morning of July 2d we were moved sev- 
eral times from one place to another, but were not particularly 
brought under fire till some time shortly after noon, when coming 
iu range of a rebel battery, the shells came over us quite lively fur 
a while. One man of our Regiment was killed here. Colonel Cross, 
the commander of our Brigade here, then ordered us to our feet (a> 
we were lying on the ground) and luarched us a short distance to our 
left and back again on double quick which seemed to cause the enemy 
to lose range of us, and again about 3 :00 or 4 :00 p. m. our Brigade 
was marched to the left land took part in the battle in the wheat 
field. Our company here being in the open wheat field, with an- 
other or so of our Regiment on our right sufi^ered terril)ly. T ]ie''(' 
received a bad gunshot wound in my groin, obliging me to remain 
there till the battle was over and through the effects of which I wa^ 
confined to the hospital about fourteen months and have been greatly 
disabled all mv life. I recall now but (me man of CdUipany I that 
was shot dead there and that was Samuel Shaw. Thos. McCullough. 
Harrison Long, Frederick Gillhousen and Andrew Hagerty died at 
Gettysburg after the battle. The latter, A. ITagerty, I saw start to 
walk off the battlefield, while the enemy were between u> and 
our lines, and that seems to be the last known of him. The other 
wounded that survived were Edward Plyler, who lost an arm, John 
Howard who was shot through the lungs, John Shuster shot in the 
knee, Hugh Barr was slightly wounded but afterwards returned to 
his Regiment. Captain Forster, of Company C, was shot dead and 
lay two or three rods from me, and wliile there in the night, it beijig 
moonlight, I saw a rebel approach him and take a pocketbook nut of 
his side pocket, and put the same in his own pocket. Tlie same man 
also visited other dead bodies, having a companion witli liim. en- 
gaged in the same business. One of them searelied my knapsack. 
which was lying about two or three rods from me. 

After lying on the earth as a bed for fifteen days T, witli hnn- 
dreds of otliers was removed to Baltimore in freight cars, wc lay 
on straw or hay on the floor of the car. T was then taken into Mc- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 781 

Kim's Hospital. John Howard, of Company I, was also there bnl 
in another ward. In O'ctober, jnst previous to the election, we were 
each moved to our own states where we had the privilege of a fur- 
lough to go home to vote; biit the condition of my wound at this time 
was such that I could not go. The discharge had changed to a green- 
ish color. The doctor said I had fever and would have to take some 
quinine. I saw that he was quite uneasy about me, but in a few 
days I was all right as far as the fever was concerned, but a ])iece of 
cloth and several bits of bone remaining in the wound kept it fester- 
ing a long time before it could commence to heal. The nurse said to 
me that with my courage, patience, etc., I would live where twenty 
would die. I generally occupied my time in reading, writing, etc. 
A lady of Philadelphia came and organized a Bible class which met 
once a week in the chapel. Wlien I was able to get around I took an 
active part in helping along with it. A Miss Otto was first instructor, 
and afterwards a Miss Wheeler. They were both middle aged ladies 
and were doubtless regular workers in the good cause of humanity 
and religion. Miss Otto was an Episcopalian and the other a Pres- 
byterian. Of the latter church I was and am still a member and 
have ever tried to be sincere and consistent. Even in the Army at 
Cockeysville our crew of six, and especially our crew of eleven in our 
winter quarters at Falmouth had their weekly prayer meetings, con- 
sisting of J. E. Hall, Wm. Davidson, David Rhodes, Alex. McQuis- 
ton, T. Swineford, J. W. Smith, John Love, Thos. MoCullough, B. 
F. McGiffin, Hugh A. Barr and Edward Plyler. The latter was 
the only profane tongued man in the crew, but he finally almost quit 
it or else he would accompany his oath with a short prayer such as 
this "The Lord forgive me for cussin'." He could not write and yet 
while we were at Falmouth there was a letter written to his uncle, 
which was published in a Kittaning paper, signed Edward Plyler, 
and being rather of a disloyal nature, it w^as sent by some one To 
Captain Marlin, by whom Ed was called to an account and severely 
reprimanded. He of course did a little bit of cussing then. I had 
then to write a reproof both to his uncle and the editor for him. 

Ere long at the hospital we organized a literary society and had 
even a spelling class, of which T was the instructor. T also when able 



782 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

attended two Sabbath schools, one a Baptist at Xice Town and a 
Presbyterian at Rising Sun near Philadelphia. About three months 
before I was returned to the front I was made clerk in the hospital. 
My first business there was to write reports of the condition of the 
inmates of the hospital to their various regiments, and I was also 
a while in the furlough department. About the middle of Septem- 
ber, 18G4, a certain examining board coming from Washington gave 
me what I considered but a formal examination and so by them 1 
was assigned to the front, where my heart was with my comrades, 
yet I could and did realize my inability to endure the hardships of 
real active army life. 

September 21st, after our boat excursion down the Chesapeake 
Bay and up James River to City Point I met the dear old 14:8th 
Regiment and the few surviving comrades of Company I on their 
way to Fort Stedman. The Regiment had just been awarded the 
Spencer repeating rifle as the honored Regiment of the Division, the 
latter being commanded then by Gen. Nelson A. Miles, then a young 
man of twenty-three, if I am rightly informed. The first man to 
greet me here was B, F. McGiffen, the only survivor of the eleven 
messmates and chums mentioned above tliat were now with the com- 
pany, T, McCullough being mortally wounded and dying at Gettys- 
burg; E. Plyler also losing an arm there, J. E'. Hall being trans- 
ferred and oomniissioned ; D. Rhodes, A. McQuiston being killed in 
battle as related to me by McGiffen, where a part of the Regiment 
was surrounded and had surrendered, the enemy coming onto them 
with bayonets fixed ; two or tliroe of them mado for jMcQuiston and 
piercing him through he fell dead at their feet. All eyes then being 
turned to the terrible tragedy, McGiffen, seeing his chance, started 
to run and had got quit© a start before being discovered. Some 
shots were fired after him and ho had some close calls but he said he 
felt as though it was death anyhow and that he preferred dying in 
trying at least to make his escape than to risk being in their hands. 

McGiffen also related to me his experience in the charge made 
by the one hundred men of the Regiment on Fort Crater. After 
the capture of the fort and the failure of support, compelling a re- 
treat, his plan was that of Captain Brown — to risk a retreat and 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 783 

evei'v man now for himself and so in the midst of the terrible rebel 
fire he with others made his escajje, but notwithstanding the risk and 
danger, he coming onto a reb who had dropped into a rut to conceal 
himself, expecting to get back when the firing would cease, Frank 
pointing his gun at him ousted him out of that and brought him in 
a prisoner. I see Mc was promoted Sergeant January 5, 18G5, and 
he well deserved the honor and he deserves honorable recognition as 
a true and brave soldier. 

J. M. Love and J. W. Smith were in 1S(U transferred to the 
Veteran Eeserv^e Corps. Hugh Barr, being taken ])risoner, died at 
Salisbury, Xorth Carolina, November 23, 1864. 

Sliehimial Swineford was indeed one of the bravest of the brave, 
was ever deliberate and composed in battle or in any danger. He often 
said that he never felt as though he would be shot. He was a grand 
leader in a charge, ever seemingly wanting to be in advance of the 
charging line if possible, as at Keams Station, the company being 
on the picket line. As the charging line came up, he sprang 
over the breastworks with his Spencer repeating rifle, when J. M. 
Davis, the next, came over, had eight men aroimd him who had sur- 
rendered, and by J. M. Davis were taken back to be given into the 
hands of our officers, while Swineford again joined in the general 
charge, at the same time tramping over two of the enemy's flags, 
which if he had stopped to secure might have gotten for him a medal. 

With my other greetings by my friend McGiffen I was told that 
I was not brought there to soldier or do duty in the ranks, that 1 
was to be clerk for the Regiment. Yet I was furnished with a gun 
and all other equipments necessary for regular soldiering and for 
two weeks I took my regular turns on picket and other duties, the 
fort at the same time, night and day, being a place of constant danger 
from mortar shells, and the continued firing of sharpshooters, the 
latter from the tops of their breastworks, other mounds and the tops 
of trees. Our men did the same each at night especially watching the 
fire or flash of the others guns would instantly fire at the same. 

Every evening for about an hour, commencing at dusk and con- 
tinuing an hour or so there was a general duel fought with mortar 
shells. Cue evening the enemy having opened fire on us with their 



784 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

mnskets, we were called to the outer works of the fort where at one 
time a shell seeming to be coming directlj^ down on ns exploded a 
few feet above our heads, and about the same time another unnoticed 
by us struck the ground near-by and exploding, threw the clay over 
us and slightly wounded Sergeant T. Douglass. He was one of the 
best and bravest of the company. 

I was told that Sergt. R. Kissinger on certain occasions dis- 
tinguished himself as a spy in the way of discovering the condition 
of the enemy in front of the Regiment. I was also informed that 
Corp. Wm, Harley as a spy at a certain time in front of Petersburg 
captured one of the enemy's spies, compelling him to surrender. 
Andrew Craft, who was killed in the battle of Chancellorsville was 
almost a constant reader of his Bible when in his quarters. Harry 
Long, who died from wounds received at Gettysburg, was dis- 
tinguished as the smallest man in the company, and who always car- 
ried the biggest or fullest knapsack. He was always }>ersevering and 
brave. 

Tiicliard Snyder being transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps 
w\as one of a squad of soldiers sent from Harrisburg to Clearfield 
County to aid in enforcing the draft One of the rebs there in firing 
01. the squad of soldiers was skillfully shot by him, after which the 
company of Ku Klux's surrendered. For the above Snyder was pro- 
moted from private to Sergeant. 

Alexander Douglass was one of the eight color guards in the 
battle of Chancellorsville and the only one of the eight that escai>ed 
the missiles of the enemy. After the others all had fallen bravely, 
he kept the colors of the Regiment afloat and brought them safely 
out of the conflict. He was missing in action at Spotsylvania Cour' 
House May 12, 1864. 

October 7, 1864, after being two weeks with the company, 1 
received an order to report at division headquarters, where 1 was 
detailed as clerk in the cornmissary of muster departments, where 1 
reiuaiiiod till June 1, 1865, when I was mustered out with the Regi- 
ment and r learned that it was through Captain Marlin's infliicn;t- 
and kindness that I was thus brought a^'ain to the front. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIA VOLUNTEERS 785 

After Lee's surrender, [ marched with the company to Alex- 
andria, where we worked night and day about three weeks in exam- 
ining and correcting the numerous muster-out rolls of the Division. 

I. S. Davis was with the company till some time after the battle 
of Gettysburg. Taken sick, he was sent to the hospital and there 
transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, 21st Regiment ; was engaged 
in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg ; was a faithful 
soldier as far as able. After returning home he became a local min- 
ister of the gospel. 

Lyman Mapes had charge of the regimental headquarter team 
and wagon almost during the whole campaigni of the Regiment, ex- 
cept a month or so he drove the medicine wagon and a week or two 
at Cockeysville he did guard and picket duty. Being a trusty fellow 
the Colonel's baggage was committed to his care. Was never in a 
hospital and w^as always at his post of duty. 

David D. Rhodes. Last seen by Sergt, S. Swineford in the 
charge at Spotsylvania engaged in a terrible struggle with a reb, Iwth 
having hold of the same gim, trying to wrench it out of the other's 
hands. Swineford, being three or four rods off from them, pointed 
his gun at the reb but on snapping it found it was empty. Then 
taking his eyes off Rhodes to reload his gun, he somehow disap- 
peared from his view. Was likely shot or killed in some way. 

l^ev^'is R. Stahlman was mustered for service with the company 
and continued with it regularly till two or three days after the Ivattle 
of Gettysburg, when he was taken down with intermittent fever, lie 
took part in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. In the 
former battle he was one of a roconnoitering party sent out to tlis- 
cover the position of the enemy and they pressed forward till shot 
ai by a sharpshooter, whose ball struck a tree close by them, thej 
coolly taking time to get the ball, and in the battle of Gettysburg 
his tin cup was pierced through with a minie ball while engaged 
ill the terrible conflict in the wheat field. He taking sick about 
July Gth as above stated, being then with the company near Hagers- 
town, ]\[aryland, was taken to Chester Hospital near Philadelphia, 
where he lay about two months when he was transferred to McClellan 
Ilos|)ital, near Gennantown, Pennsylvania, where he stayed till 



786 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

March, 1864, when he rejoined the Eegiment at Brandy Station. 
He was with the company in all the engagements of the Wilderness, 
was in the charges at Spotslyvania, Po River, North Anna, etc. Was 
captured near Petersburg June 22, 1864, with Philip Boyer, Alonzo 
Fowler, of our company, and taken together, first to Libby Prison 
in Richmond, where they were kept about one week, and then to 
Belle Island a week or so, and thence to Andersonville, toward whicli 
they marched on foot about seventy miles to Danville, from whence 
they were taken in the cars to that horrible place, iYndersonville. 
Was there three months when rumors came that Sherman was about 
to move in that direction and they were shipped to a place called 
Milton, ninety miles or so from the former place. In November an 
order was issued at headquarters to parole the sick and he being one 
of them got lus parole November 25th, and was sent by Fortress 
Monroe to Parole Camp, Maryland. Was then real sick and was dis- 
cliarged from there by General Orders, May 24, 1865. 

John Demott who enlisted with the company at Brookville and 
whose address is still the same, had his left ankle badly sprained at 
Cockeysville ; marched with the company to Falmouth causing vari- 
cose veins that are not yet healed. But he was with the company in 
the Chancellorsville and Gettysburg battles. In the hitter being 
wounded in the head by the concussion of a shell in the wheat 
field July 2d, and was taken to Turners Lane General Hospital. 
Philadelphia, and becoming convalescent about the latter part of 
October he was sent to Camp Convalescent, at Alexandria, \'irginia, 
thence transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, doing guard duty in 
Washington, D. C, till the spring of 1865 ; was transferred from 
Second to Third Battalion Veteran Reserve Corps, and was sent to 
East Capitol Hill, thence to New York City, where he did guard 
duty two months and thence to Augusta, Maine, where he did guard 
duty in camp of returned soldiers till August 12, 1865, when he 
was discharged. 

Lewis Cobb was mustered with the company; was in the battles 
of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and was wounded at Spotsyl- 
vania, May 12, 1863, in the neck by a minie ball, was first taken to 
Union ITosjiital, transferred to ]\toClellan IL)spital, from there to 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 



787 



Mosser Hospital, and thence to Alexandria, whence he was taken to 
City Point near where he met the Regiment August 12, 1864, and 
was with it in all its subsequent engagements ; was also in the 
famous charge made by the one hundred men of the Regiment. He 
and Samuel Ransom were at Deep Bottom accidentally left alone on 
picket, and were twenty-four hours or more in overtaking the Regi- 
ment They both helped to destroy the Weldon Railroad. Samuel 
Ransom was also in the charge made by the one hundred men. 



788 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



THE STORY OF COMPANY I. 



PART V. 

By R. B. Lyle, Brookville, Pennsylvania. 

Company I of the 148th was recruited by Capt. Silas J. Marliii 
in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania in July and August, 1862. When 
we left Brookville we did not know to what Re,£::iment we would be 
assigned. However, it was our good luck to join a regiment that 
did its duty well and the comrades of Company I have alwav:^ 
claimed that the companies of Centre County did not lose any credit 
by having Company I join them, as we did our full share of the work. 

At Cockeysville, Maryland, we were mustered in the 148th Regi- 
ment with the following company officers: Captain, Silas J. Mai- 
lin ; First Lieutenant, John A. Maguire ; Second Lieutenant, Or- 
landa H. Brown; Orderly Sergeant, Junius F. Crain. Colonel 
Beaver said at this time, "The men of this Regiment are willing and 
of more than ordinary intelligence. I am satisfied that it can be 
made all that a regiment ought to be, if the officers are faithful." 
This prediction the subsequent history of the Regiment proved. 

One of the best drilled companies in the Regiment was Com- 
pany I and to Captain Marlin of that company was the 148th in a 
great measure indebted for its efficiency in drill and discipline, for 
in him Colonel Beaver found an officer thoroughly posted in every 
detail of soldierly qualifications. He lent himself ardently to aid 
the Colonel of the Regiment in his efforts to 'make the 148th a Regi- 
ment that would have done credit to the old guard. 

The six in our mess were the following: Jackson Moore. 
I. E. Mapes, F. ^I. Whiteman, Joseph Earnest, Harrison Moore and 
R. B. Lyle. We were a jolly six. L. E. Mapes and R. B. Lyle still 
are living ; four are dead. 

On tli(! Trh i»f December, on the eve of the battle of Fredericks- 
burg, the Regiment was ordered to the front. The night before we 
left Cockeysville the jolly six came to the conclusion they wouln 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANU VOLUNTEERS 789 

have some honey. Old Man Cockey had a large nnmber of bees anol 
on the night of the Yth of December we made the purchase. The 
reason why we made our purchase after night was because we could 
make a better bargain, and on that night we got a bargain. The 
weather was somewhat cool and the bees were quiet. We wrapped the 
hive in a blanket and the jolly six started with one hundred pounds 
of honey, less the bees. We took the honey and the bees into Com- 
p;niv I's quarters and the bees got warm and came to life and I am 
here to tell you that the jolly six had a time that night. We canii- 
to the conclusion that if there was a peck of bees there were six 
bushels. It took us all night to subdue the bees. Oh, the honey, how 
tempting! We thought the time long until we could help ourselves 
at will, and when that time came I helped myself to a comb ten by 
twelve inches square and when I took the first bite my tong-ue came 
in contact with the business end of a bee and in less than five minute* 
time I had a knob on the point of my tongue which resembled the 
clapper in the Liberty Bell. 

The Regiment starting for the front, moving via Washington 
and Liverpool Point, arrived in the neighborhood of Falmouth on 
the 18th, the battle of Fredericksburg having in the meantime been 
fought and lost. 

On my first picket post at the stone dam, I went on at midnight 
ai.d in the morning tlie Johnny reb that was on duty on the oj^po- 
site side of the river knew that we were new soldiers and he said: 

''Hello, Yank, you look as though you just came out of a band 
box ; what regiment are you ?" 

''The 14Sth Pennsylvania," I told him. 

''Are there any more men left at home or are they all in the 
Army ?" 

I said, ''The men are all at home. Just the boys have come inti^ 
the Army." 

Johnny reb said he thought we were d d old looking boys. 

1 said we had come to help take Richmond. He said we would have 

a h 1 of a time in doing that. Alluding to their Generals he said 

we would have a Hill to climb, a Longstreet to travel and a Stone- 
wall to batter down before we would get into Richmond. We climbed 



790 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

that Hill, marched over the Longstreet and leaped over the Stone- 
wall and marched into Richmond. Returning to camp after I had 
performed my first picket duty I thought I was the only one tha: 
ever stood on picket. Company I boys were anxious to know if T 
saw any rebels. After relating the conversation I had with a Con- 
federate the boys all said that I had run a great risk of my life. 

During the winter we had a good time and nothing of impor- 
tance took place until the mud campaign. General Hooker fed the 
A.rmy well. We had plenty to eat and Company I boys got fat. 

On New Year's Day of 1863, the jolly six came to the conclu- 
sion they would have a feast, and it fell on the writer to do the 
cooking on this day. It was my first and last meal that I ever cooked. 
The boys left it all to me what we would have for our feast and this 
is what I planned to have: One cake of vegetable or educated soup, 
as we called it, three quarts of rice and a soup bone. The cake of 
vegetable was well seasoned with red peppers and the peppers made 
the soup so hot that one would think he was handy to the lower 
regions while eating it. The cake of vegetable, rice and soup bone 
all in a four-gallon camp kettle, and when it got to boiling, the vege- 
table and the rice began to expand, the old soup bone came to the 
top of the kettle and soon fell overboard into the fire and ashes. 
I got it and washed it off, got another kettle and dumped in the 
old bone and part of the soup out of the four-gallon kettle and 
got up steam once more, supposing I had everything all right. 
But it was not all right. The old bone came to the top 
again and out it went again into the fire and ashes. My tem- 
per got the better of me this time. I saw at once that it would take 
another kettle, as I did not want to lose the essence of that soup bone. 
This time I got a two-gallon kettle and I divided the soup that was 
in the other two kettles into the third kettle and then dumped the 
soup bone in without washing it and when I got through cooking thai 
ciike (if vegetable my three kettles were heaped up in the center, so 
they looked like three hay duddles and that soup bone was jumping 
around so it reminded me of a woodchuck hunting a hiding place. 
After I got through cooking that meal I was surprised — nine gallons 
of soup for six — and I am still more surprised to hear that tlie old 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 791 

soup bone is still in existence. I was relating some of my camp life 
to a veteran of the late war with Spain. He said that bone was em- 
balmed and sent to Cuba. 

The part that Company I took in the battle of Chancell(U-s- 
ville was upon the celebrated skirmish line of General Miles. Again 
and again did the enemy advance into the slashing and attempt tc; 
make his way over Miles' resolute foroe, but in vain. Occupying a 
position of advantage the 57th, the 64th and the 66th ISTew York, 2d 
Delaware and six companies of the 148th Pennsylvania every time 
beat oif these attacks and drove the assailants back to cover. The 
importance of this stiif holding of our line on the left could not at 
this crisis be overestimated. Had McLaws been able to produce 
any impression however slight along the turnpike he would have fear- 
fully complicated the problem for the Union Army. Company 1 
was fortunate in the battle of Chancellorsville, as our loss was but 
three men : Andrew Craft was killed ; James McManigle and R. B. 
Lyle wounded. I was taken back to the Second Corps hospital, which 
was located in the woods to the rear of the Chancellor House. The 
wounded were lying on the ground in rows. The rebels commenced 
shelling the woods. The trees were tall and a shell cut off the top of 
the tree that overshadowed eight or nine of the wounded, including 
the ^vTite^, and it came down top foremost on us. It took some time 
to chop it off and then we were taken from the field hospital to 
Brook's Station. The wounded of the Second Corps were all taken 
back and placed in the hospital at Brook's Station. 

On the 15th of June, 1863, the Second Corps started on its long 
march to Gettysburg. The loss of Company I in the battle of Gettys- 
burg was seven killed and four wounded. The chain of battles and 
campaigns commenced with the 148th Pennsylvania at Chancellors- 
ville and Gettysburg. Pickett's charge and his defeat ended the 
battle of Gettysburg. The pursuit of Lee was next in order. 

While halting on the banks of the Rappahannock Company 1 
received its first recruits to the number of twenty-six drafted men. 
Here the time was spent until the 12th of September. 

Company I was fortunate in the battle of Bristoe Station as its 
loss was two men wounded. Next comes the Mine Run campaigTi, 



792 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

and Company I had no casualties in this campaign. In our winter 
camps of 1863-1864 at Stevensburg', Company I received nine more 
recruits. 

At the battle of the Wilderness the 148th acting as skirmishers 
aiid Hankers reached the battle ground towards the close of the day. In 
the engagement of the two succeeding days it acted in the main as> 
supporters to other troops. Company I had no casualties up to this 
time in the Wilderness campaign. At the battle of Po River Com- 
pany I had five men wounded and three killed. 

On the 12th of May the Regiment found itself in the front of 
the Salient at Spotsylvania where it fought bravely. Company 1 
here lost Lieut. John A. Magiiire, who was mortally wounded autl 
died on the 15th. He was a brave young ofiicer and his death was 
deeply regretted by his comrades of Company I and b}^ his niauN 
friends in Brookville, from which place he enlisted. The casualties 
of Company I at Spotsylvania was two killed, three wounded and 
four missing.. 

On the 3d of June, after taking part at ISTorth Anna and Toto- 
potomoy the Regiment found itself at Cold Harbor and with the 
Division captured the enemy's front line, but tiie Division not being 
properly supported was obliged to fall back a short distance, where 
it held its ground against every assault of the enemy. The cas^ial- 
ties of Company I at Cold Harbor was one man killed, six men 
wounded and four captured. William Acker, of Company I, was 
mistaken for one of the enemy and was so badly wounded by one of 
the Regiment while at work on one of the out^wst rifle pits at Cold 
Harbor that he lost an arm. On the evening of the 16tli the casual- 
ties of Company I at Petersburg were three wounded, one killed and 
one missing. On the 21st of August the Regiment returned from 
Deep Bottom and was immediately hurried to the left of Warren on 
iho Weldon Railroad, tearing up and destroying the road southward 
of Reams Station. The casualties of Company I at Reams Station, 
one nnui killed, six ca])tured and two missing. 

When the spring campaign opened we participated in the action 
at Hatcher's Run, March 25, 1865, and on the 31st at Adams Farm. 
On the 2d of April we took part in the fight at Sutherland Station. 



THE J48TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 793 

On the 7th of April the Regiment participated in the battle of 
Farmville and the closing scenes of the War. Company I had no 
casualties in these last battles. 

Company I was in all of the battles that the Regiment was in, 
from Chancellorsville to the Appomattox. Company I was fortu- 
nate in having such an excellent and efficient officer as Captain Silas 
J. Marlin to command it and he was equally fortunate in securing 
such good material for his company. He remained with his com- 
pany until July 28, 1863, when he was detailed acting insi^ector 
general of the First Division of the Second Corps, which position he 
held until the close of the War, being on several occasions detailed 
as inspector of the Second Corps. During the time that he was thus 
detailed he served on the staffs of Generals Caldwell, Barlow and 
Miles and was actively engaged in every engagement in which his 
division participated, either in command of his company or on staff 
duty. May 26, 1865, he was by general order from the War Depart- 
ment ordered to report for duty at Fortress Monroe and was ap- 
pointed by General Miles inspector during the first part of Jefferson 
Davis' imprisonment at the Fortress. He was commissioned Major 
of his Regiment June 1, 1865, but being absent on detailed service 
was not mustered as such. On the 27th of December Captain Marlin 
was brevetted a Major of volunteers by President Lincoln for gallant 
services at the battle of Reams Station and in the present campaign 
before Richmond, to rank from December 2, 1864. And January 
15, 1865, he was again brevetted Lieutenant Colonel of volunteers 
for gallantry and valuable services. Colonel Beaver says of Colonel 
Marlin: "He was a most capable, gallant and useful officer upon 
the staff and was well entitled to all the honors which he received for 
the service." He died at his home in Brookville, Jefferson County, 
Pennsylvania, in 1888. During Colonel Marlin's absence from his 
company it was well and skillfully handled by Lieutenants Crane 
and Clark. The former was commissioned Captain June 1, 1865. 

Company I mustered one hundred and thirty-two officers and 
men. Killed in battle, fifteen men and one officer; wounded, twen- 
ty-five men; died of wounds received in action, six men; ca])tured, 
twelve men ; died in prison, six men. Corporal Lewis Deiblor was 



794 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

shot and killed by one of the guards at Salisbury, ISTortli Carolina, 
November 26, 186-i; died of disease, ten men; discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, twelve men ; deserted, six men ; transferred to the 
53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865, twelve men , 
transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, twenty men; James W. Rea, 
at Comj^any I, was transferred to Signal Corps April 1, 18G4. San- 
derson P. Stacy was promoted to First Lieutenant 43d Regiment 
United States Colored Troops April 25, 1864 ; mustered out with 
the company, June 1, 1865, twenty-three men. 

John M. Davis, of Company I, was but fourteen years old. He 
enlisted as a musician but was not mustered as such. He carried a 
musket' until he was mustered out fis Corporal with the company 
June 1, 1865. He was wounded on the 10th of May, 1864, at the 
battle of Po River. 

Company I of the 148th has twenty-three men still living at tlii-; 
late date. Two of the jolly six are still in the land of the living. 
One was among the missing at Reams Station, one died at Chester 
Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and two died after returnintr 
home. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 795 

THE YOUXGEST :\rAX^ IX THE REGIMENT. 

SUPPLEMENT TO I COMPANy's STORY. 

Companies A, D and G had an unusual number of very young 
men. The two latter were made up largely of young fellows attending 
academies at Pine Grove and Boalsburg, as elsewhere appears, which 
accounts for the unusual number of young men in them. Companies 
E" and K also had some very young boys but, so far as can be 
ascertained by a careful examination, the youngest man in the Regi- 
ment was John M. Davis who was one of the original recruits, 
served throughout his entire term of service, was promoted to Cor- 
poral January 7, 1865, and mustered out with his company June 
1, 1865. 

He was born on the 7th day of 'September, 1847, was sworn in 
as a recruit on the 15th day of August, 1862, and was, therefore, 
less than fifteen years of age. 

He was entrusted with a gun at his entrance into the service, 
v/as in every engagement in which the Regiment shared until Po 
River, May 10, 1861, where he was severely wounded. His wound, 
v;hieh was a musket wound in the thigh, disabled him to such an 
extent that he was helped from the field by two of his comrades, the 
woods being on fire all around him. He was taken to Fredericksburg 
in an ordinary army wagon, where he lay for three days and was 
then sent to Findley Hospital, Washington. The ball was 
not removed from his thigh until the 12th of June — more than 
a month after his wound. It is not surprising, therefore, that the 
wound became gangrenous and, as a consequence, he was removed 
t(,) the gangrene ward. He was in the hospital at Washington for 
seven weeks and was then removed to the general hospital at York. 
Pennsylvania, where he remained until January, 1865, when he 
rejoined his company and took part with it in the campaign of the 
spring of 1865, until the surrender of Lee. 

He was several times detailed to escort prisoners from the 
line, taking six from the stone fence at Gettysburg, standing guard 
over them all that night, being relieved the next morning, so as to 



796 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

enable him to join his company and take part in the engagement 
of the 3d. 

He was also very successful in gathering prisoners at Suther- 
land Station. Our Regiment was very successful that day, captur- 
ing a large number of prisoners, Davis escorting twenty-one at 
different times and turning them over to the provost guard. 

His wound has made him a cripple for life and he is now, 
at the age of fifty-six, among the youngest of the survivors of the 
War. 






THE STORY OF COMPANY K. 



PART I. 

By Capt. Brevet Maj.J. Z. Brown. 

In the month of June, 1862, on my arrival at home from 
SL'hool, I fonnd the war fever at high tide. I had a conversation 
with Capt. Thompson Core, who was engaged in the eifort to 
enlist a company, in which I said I was ready to go at any time, 
and I took hold with him at once in the work of recruiting. We 
v;ere assisted in the work by the influence of a number of old 
citizens. Among them were J. B. Guinn, Andrew Lee, John 
Hoover, L. C. Putner, M. Arnold, Jas. Laughlin, Jacob Brown, 
R. J^. Corbett, John Kaster and others, all living in the vicinity of 
Curllsville. Besides these, we were assisted by the following, liv- 
ing near Greenville, namely : Washington Craig, John W. Sloan, 
Samuel Connors, Michael Walters, J. B. Jones, David Orr, Rev. 
J. S. Elder. As related in subsequent parts of the story of Com- 
pany K, we did not succeed in raising a full company, and the 
efiort was continued after we had organized at Cockeysville, Mary- 
land. 

At the time Capt. Thompson Core was undertaking to recruit 
a company in Clarion County, enlistments were and had been for 
seme time quite actively prosecuted, and recruits were not easily 
obtained, but Captain Core was very persevering, and at last suc- 
ceeded in enlisting the necessary number required to complete the 
company, and joined us at Cockeysville with nineteen recruits fj'om 
Montgomery County. 

Henry H. Dotts of this squad was to be 'Second Lieutenant, as 
he had recruited a number of men and was held in very high esteem 
by all the men in the company, and his recruits proved to be good 
soldiers, and rendered noble service in the Regiment. The story 
of our stay at Cockeysville has been fully told, and need not be 
repeated. 

As we approached the battlefield of Ohanoellorsville and heard 
the roar of artillery and the rattle of musketry and saw the wounded 



798 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

coming back, some on stretchers and some limping on foot, we 
began to realize what was ahead of us as we met this first test of the 
mettle of our new troops, but our boys were steady and solid in 
line, ready for the encounter. As has been stated. Company K, with 
five other companies, were on the picket line, and hence not with the 
Regiment in the hot fight on Sunday in the rear of the Chancellor 
House, but the skirmish line had several quite severe engagements, 
and lost Corporal ISTeil of the color guard, killed, and three men 
\\'oinided. 

The 28th of June, 1863, on the Gettysburg campaign, was the 
hardest day's marching we ever had. The evening before, I had 
bought a peck of potatoes from the officers' wagon, hoping to enjoy 
a good breakfast, but the bugle sounded the march before the pota- 
toes were cooked. Comrade Polliard proposed to carry them, so that 
we might have them for dinner. He put them in his knapsack, and 
we started. It was a very warm day, the march was rapid, and 
about noon Polliard said, '^I wish they would stop. These po- 
tatoes are getting heavy." As the march continued, he said, "If we 
don't stop soon, I will have to throw them away," but I took his 
gun and carried it for him for several hours, and when we halted, 
about ten o'clock at night, with but four men of the company to 
stack arms, we dropped down on the ground, forgetting all about 
the potatoes, and went sound asleep. We had them for breakfast, 
however, the next morning. 

Company K was fortunate in the Gettysburg battle, being on a 
part oi the line in the whcatfield where the enemy's bullets went 
over our heads. 

After the Mine Run campaign, when wc had gone into winter 
quarters at Stevensl)urg, 1 was detailed on recruiting service, and 
with with Sergeant, afterwards Lieutenant A. C. Sloan, to Clarion 
County. About the 1st of June I was ordered to close my recruiting 
office and report to Harrisburg, where I settled my accounts and was 
ordered to join the Regiment near Petersburg, Virginia. 

The account of tlie capture of Fort Crater by one hundred men 
of our Regiment under my command will Ix^ fully described in the 
stories of other comrades. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 



799 



The company served with the Regiment until discharoed in 
June, 1865. 

The following families were represented in Company K by two 
or more brothers: the Sloans, Fox, Quillman, Woods, Milligan, 
Van Houter, KSwartzfager, Carle, Dorworth, Wiant, .Miller 
and Divins, five brothers. Thirteen men of Company K were never 
absent from duty from the time of enlistment until discharge. The;) 
were: Corporal G. G. Walters, Wm. Bartlett, Dennis Conner, S. 
H. Sloan, Daniel M. Hirsch, John Donahne, O. M. Cnllens, Robert 
Wilson, Uriah Wilson, Reuben Quillman, I&nry B. Fox and Wil- 
liam Zeigenfnss. 



800 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



THE STOKY OF COMPAXY K. 



PART II. 



For hand-to-hand fighting, for the use of sword and bayonet in 
personal conflict, for special cases of bravery, Company K of the 
148th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry was not surpassed in the 
Union armies and its record ranks well up in the great battles of all 
history. The total enlistment of the company was one hundred ami 
thirty-eight, of whom fourteen were killed, thirty-nine wounded, six 
died of wounds, five were wounded twice, ten died of disease, three 
in rebel prisons and twelve were taken prisoners. No more desper- 
ate charge was ever made than that led by Capt. J. Z. Brown, com- 
posed of one hundred men of the 148th on Fort Crater at Peters- 
burg on October 27, 1864. 

On that historic occasion these men did not reason why but 
firmly resolved ''To do or die," and on the double quick charged with 
fixed bayonets "into the jaws of death; into the mouth of hell." 

Forty years afterwards Captain Brown was induced to tell the 
thrilling story to the writer, although he did it with his characteristic 
modesty. The old hero sat at the table and dictated the details to 
a stenographer as they are fully verified by the account of the charge 
given in Harper's Weekly two weeks after the battle, though not so 
fully, and as it is given in substance in Bates' History and other 
standard histories of the War. 

Major Brown, as he is now called on account of his subsequent 
promotion, thus tells the story: 

"It was in the evening of October 27, 1864, that the Adjutant 
of the Regiment came to me and said, 'We want one hundred men 
to charge on a fort in front of Petersburg.' T found that it was to 
make a charge on earthworks within the enemy's lines and said, 'T 
will go for one.' Three other officers of the Regiment volunteered, 
Lieut. P. D. Sprankle, Alexander Gibb and J. T. Bennor. Capr. 
H. D. Price, of the brigade staff, went with us. He was killed just 
as he reached the top of the works. His body was recovered the next 
dav bv flag of truce. T was the first officer to volunteer, and as the 



i 



*:" 5> -y^ '^^i.-spsf^imm 




\ (V KS ^ 

S.W. Herrin^ton jk ^fK&W 



Uriah Willson 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 801 

senior officer I was placed in command of the forlorn hope. As the 
detachment was about ready to start several men of my company said, 
'Captain, if you are going we must go along,' but I said, 'Some one 
of Company K must stay at home to tell the story,' but I enrolled 
fourteen of my company. We formed in line inside our works about 
twilight, and after receiving instructions from General Mulholland 
to reserve our fire until we got close to the fort, we fixed bayonets 
and started on the double quick and got within about two hundred 
yards of the fort before the enemy's pickets opened fire on us. Ad- 
vancing rapidly our first trouble was with the chevaux-de-friese in 
front of the fort's trench. It was wired and roped together and after 
some of my men had cut an opening with axes I threw the chevaux- 
de-friese around, right and left, and my men charged rapidly and 
most gallantly through the opening. We jumped the ditch, which 
was full of water and scaled a rampart. 1 rushed up the embank- 
ment, my 'boys' with me, in the face of a galling fire, and jumped 
right into the fort. As General Burnside had mined and exploded 
a fort some distance to the right about three months before this the 
enemy had dug a hole like a well about forty feet deep just within 
the parapet of the fort we charged and when I jumped over I lit 
within four feet of the hole, at the peril of my life. There was a 
bomb-proof embankment just inside the fort and the rebel artillery 
men were hurrying up with grape and canister to charge their gunt 
for use on the assaulting column. A rebel officer was directing the 
men and I at oneo covered him with my sword and demanded his, 
which was promptly handed over and also the swords of two other 
rebel officers, and all were passed back to my men. We learned after- 
wards that the fort was garrisoned by the 46th Virginia Infantry. 

"We captured a large number of men but the majority of the 
rebels ran out at the rear of the fort and escaped. I then ordered my 
men to fire right and left along the line of the fort and directed Lieut. 
J. F. Benner to take the prisoners back to our lines. I staid within 
the fort half an hour and looked in vain for re-enforcements and could 
not then understand w^hy they did not come. 

"I could hear the enemy in the rear rattling their muskets, 
officers giving commands, and preparing for a charge when I ordered 
a retreat to our lines. We carried back with us some who had been 
wounded in scaling the redoubt. Just as T had entered our works 
again I met a brigade of re-enforcements under General Mulholland. 
and hot under the circumstances, T said, 'General Mulholland, why 
in h — 1 didn't you re-enforce me.' Tt was a terrible risk for a little 
Captain to thus speak to a superior officer, but he mildly replied, '! 
did the best T could.' 



802 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

"The next morning a division Aide rode down the lines and after 
finding- me handed me an envelope ordering me to report at division 
headquarters immediately. It alarmed me greatly but I buckled on 
mj sword and assumed my best military bearing and soon saluted 
General Miles, who seated me by his table and remarked, 'That was 
quite a snap you got into last night.' I answered, 'It was interest- 
ing.' I told him I could not understand why T was not re-enforceci. 
General Miles then astonished me by saying, 'To tell you the honest 
truth we never ex}>ected you to cross that fort or a single man of you 
to return alive.' lie said that it had become absolutely necessary to 
make a demonstration at that point, to divert Lee's attention, and I 
thought one hundred men enough to sacrifice. 

"He tlien said that the best thing that he could do was to rec- 
ommend me for promotion to the War Department for meritorious 
conduct on the field of battle, and said that he had intended to do the 
same thing for me after the battle of Reams Station but had over- 
looked it. That the intention of the commanding General was car- 
ried out is shown by following papers which explain themselves: 

Headquakteks First Division, 
second army corps. 

October 31, 1S(U. 
Major Sep's Corncross, 

Assistant Adjutant General, 
Second Army Corps, 

Major: In compliance with instructions contained in circular 
of this date, I have the honor to submit the following recommenda- 
tions : 

That Capt. Jeremiah Z. Brown, 148th Pennsylvania Volunteer!?, 
receive the brevet rank of Maj(U-. Captain Brown, on the 27th of Oc- 
tober led a party of one hundred men through the chevanx-de-freiso 
and abatis of the enemy's line o]T)>osite Fort Morton, capturing one 
of his works with several prisoners among wdiom Avere officers of 
rank. Very resjx^ctfully, 

(Signed) ISTelson A. Miles, 

Brigadier (jcncrnl ConiDKiJiding. 

Copy respectfully furnished Captain Brown fur liis information. 
Bv order of Brigadier General Miles. 

Wm. B. Driver, 
Assistant Adjulanf General. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFJNU VOLUNTEERS 805 

War Deparment^ 

Washington, December 2, ISC-l-. 

Sir: Ycni are hereby informed that the President of the United 
States has appointed you for gallant and distinguished services in 
leading a storming party against the enemy's works at Petersburg, 
Virginia, and capturing a fort on the night of the battle of Boyd- 
town Plank Road, Virginia, a Major of Volunteers, by brevet, in the 
service of the United States, to rank as such from the 27th day of 
October, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four. Should the 
Senate, at their next session, advise and consent thereto, you will be 
cranmissioned accordingly. 

Immediately on receipt hereof, please to communicate to this 
Department, through the Adjutant General of the Army, your ac- 
ceptance or non-acceptance; and, with your letter of acceptance, 
return the oath herewith enclosed, properly filled up, subscribed and 
attested, and report your age, birthplace and the state of which you 
were a permanent resident. 

You will report for duty to 

E. M. Stanton^ 
Secretary of TVflr. 

Brevet Major Jerry Brown, 
U. S. Volunteers, 

Through Commanding General Army of the Potomac. 

United States Pension Agency. 

Philadelphia, May 11, 1890. 
My Dear General : I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your 
letter of April 25th. I would have answered promptly but 1 have 
been confined to bed and too ill to write. You ask me if Capt. Jere- 
miah Z. Brown, of your Regiment, volunteered to lead the charge on 
the Confederate fort in front of Petersburg, October 27, 1864. In 
reply Captain Brown certainly did volunteer and he behaved on the 
occasion in the most heroic and gallant manner. 1 rememl^er hini 
well and I will never forget how perfectly cool and self-possessed he 
was as he stood with me in front of the enemy's work and I gave him 
the final instructions as to the disposal of his little force of one hun- 
dred men. The capture of the fort was a very brilliant exploit for 
which the Captain was brevetted Major and I was brevetted Majoi 
General. Not only did Brown volunteer but when I went over to the 
Regiment (14Sth Pennsylvania Volunteers) 1 had too many volun- 
teers. Every officer in the whole camp seemed to want to go and 1 
was almost compelled to allow one or two more than was wanted to 
accompany the attacking party. Brown was the senior officer of the 
many that volunteered and so I selected him to load and command 



804 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

and I made no mistake in the man. lie was a success and deserves 
16 honors that can be 
I hope you are well. 



all the honors that can be given him. 



Sincerely your friend, 

St. Clair A. Mulholland. 
Gen. James A. Beaver, Bellefonte. 

In 1896 Major Brown received a medal of honor according to 
Act of Congress by direction of the President of the United States,, 
as shown by the following paper : 

Record and Pension Office, 

WAR department. 

Washington City, June 22, 1896. 
Major Jeremiah Z. Brown, 

Leathenvood, 

Clarion County, Pennsylvania. 

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that by direction of the 
President and in accordance with the Act of Congress approved 
March 3, 1863, providing for the presentation of medals of honor to 
such officers, non-commissioned officers and privates as have most 
distinguished themselves in action, the Acting Secretary of War has 
awarded you a medal of honor for most distinguished gallantry in 
action in front of Petersburg, Virginia, on the night of October 27, 
1864. 

The medal has been forwarded to you today by registered mail. 
Upon the receipt of it please advise this office thereof. 

Very respectfully, 

F. C. AiNSWORTH, 

Colonel United States Army, 
Chief Becord and Pension Office. 

The company then commanded by Captain Brown was recruited 
in Clarion County in August, 1862, and entered the service undo: 
Capt. Thompson Core, who was idolized by his meu. The recruit-^ 
were full blooded American youths, from the best families of the 
county, ranging in age from eighteen to twenty-two. They were 
animated by motives of the highest patriotism and when they en 
listed they had good reason to know what war was. Tt was on Aug- 
ust 26th that forty-two of these young men left Curllsville in wagons, 
amidst parting scenes never to be forgotten, for Kittanning. On the 
following day they reached Pittsburg and on August 29th were mub- 
tered into the service of the United States. Captain Core, A. C. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 805 

Coursin and J. Z. Brown returned to Clarion to recruit more men. 
The company was quartered at Camp Howe, was uniformed on 
September 4th and reaching Harrisburg the next morning was quar- 
tered at Camp Curtin. Three days later the Clarion recruits arrived 
and to make sure of it the entire company was sworn into the service. 

On September 9th the company was armed with Vincennes rifled 
muskets and assigned to the 148th Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- 
teer Infantry as Company K. That evening the Regiment under 
command of Col, James A. Beaver started for the front. Captain 
Core returned to Clarion County to enlist more recruits. He re- 
turned to his company on September 27tli with twenty-two more men, 
nineteen of whom were from Montgomery County, the Captain hav- 
ing recruited them at Harrisburg with the condition that Henry H. 
Dotts, one of their number should be Second Lieutenant of the 
company. 

At this time the Regiment's headquarters was in Maryland, at 
Cockeysville, and Company K was at Phoenix, tive miles above this 
place. On the 27th of October each man received the advance 
bounty of $25 and $2 premium. They were paid in bonds, which 
were sent to Baltimore and cashed by the Maryland Bank. 

Rev. Dr. James S. Elder, pastor of the Presbyterian church at 
Greenville, preached to the soldiers in Camp Beaver on November 
3, 1862. 

The Regiment received its flag at the hands of the Assistant 
Secretary of State Thomas on November 14th. 

On the 9th of December the Regiment went to Baltimore, thence 
to Washington, thence to a point opposite Alexandria, and after a 
long, hard march, through wet and cold, reached Fredericksburg and 
was assigned to the First Brigade, First Division of the Second 
Corps, and went into winter quarters. Their amusements of horse 
racing and other sports were brought to a sudden termination on St. 
Patrick's Day of 1863 by the rebels opening up a sharp cannonade on 
their right. On April 28tli the Regiment broke camp and marched to 
Chancellorsville and took a prominent part in that terrible struggle. 
From this on to the close of its term of service Company K was on 
hand for every battle and demonstrated its valor on many a bloody 



806 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

battlefield, for which it receives due credit in the history of the War. 
The company was mustered out of the service June 1, 1865, with a 
record of which it may well be proud. 

The writers of the history of Company K have made every pob- 
sible effort to obtain the individual record of every man, writing re- 
peatedly to every survivor, but with indifferent success. What has 
been obtained is given freely as throwing the most light possible on 
the record of the company. His comrades all give great credit to 
Major Brown and Corp. Geo. G. Walters for their indefatigable in- 
dustry in gathering up as much of the history of Company K as pos- 
sible, and in giving quite fully personal memoirs, all reflecting on 
tlie record of Company K. Major Brown tells of the death of 
Leander Myers as follows : 

"In the engagement on June 16, 1864, General Beaver, while 
in command of the Brigade, was severely wounded by the explosion 
of a shell, and the Brigade was repulsed in a charge. The color 
bearer of our Regiment was killed and the flag was left between the 
lines. Leander Myers of Company K said that he knew just where 
the flag was and after dark he, with two others of the Resriment, went 
out after the flag, although there was continual firing all the night. 
Myers never returned. The next day his body was found between 
the lines as the enemy had fallen back. Bates' History says that 
Myers' body was buried in Poplar Grove National Cemetery, Di- 
vision A, Section D, Grave 75. The flag was recovered." 

The story of the battle at Deep Bottom is told by Major Brown 
in a style which will interest his old company. He says: 

"To repulse the assault we hid behind an opposite hill. We lay 
down in a corn field, the corn in tassel. I was on the extreme left and 
lay down with my elbow resting on Corporal Gibson's feet. A shell ex- 
ploded and blew off the whole head of Corporal Gibson and almost the 
whole side was blown off Walter Corbett, but T was only touched by 
a little of the sand. We retreated about forty yards, carrying 
Walter Corbett with us. His hand had been scratched a little and 
he kept crying, 'Oh, my hand ! Oh, my hand !' and did not say a 
word about his side although it was torn off so that I could actually 
see his lungs work. But he only lived about twenty minutes. I went 
back in the night, at fearful peril, and took the pictures and his watch 
and |X)cketl>n()k from the dead body of Corjx>ral Gibson and sent 
them to his sister." 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 807 

'"'On August 15tli my company was thrown out on picket to 
try and find the rebels and about dark I was ordered to halt, but the 
rebel did not shoot as I expected. I came across a man apparently 
dead or dying whom I recognized as Capt. W. W. Barr, of the 105th 
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, who was shot right below the left 
ear. I detailed George G. Walters and Samuel H. Sloan to carry 
him off the field, which saved his life. These men never met hini 
again until the regimental reunion on the battlefield of Gettysburg, 
about thirty years afterwards, when tears were shed by Captain Barr 
as he thanked his comrades for what they had done." 

''At Reams Station, where Colonel Beaver lost his leg," says 
Major Brown, "my company took an active part in strenuous servict. 
General Warren had been tearing up the railroad, advancing his lint 
as rapidly as possible. We piled up the ties, twisted the track, and 
burned up the equipment. About 11 :00 a. m., August 25, 1864, a 
Division Aide wanted the 148th to come out along the railroad to pro- 
tect the cavalry. A body of Pennsylvania cavalry was stationed in a 
little bit of woods and said that they wanted the infantry to charge 
on a house which they said was full of rebels. We deployed as skir- 
mishers and went forward on a double quick, a rebel cavalryman re- 
treating on a gallop in the rear of the house, protected by it, and 
when we entered the house prepared for the worst we found two old 
men crouched in terror behind the big stone chimney, and a couple 
of women, but no soldiers at all. We had our own views of that cav- 
alry. One of the women had been shot through the thigh and the 
Avound was dressed by a surgeon, after I had assured the women thai 
we would not harm them. The cavalry then came up and contined the 
chase of the retreating rebels. 

"In a charge of the rebels in this battle their color bearer shook 
his colors over the works until they touched my head. I slashed at 
the flag staff with my sword but could not cut it off. I took a mus- 
ket with fixed bayonet and pushed it into the flag but the old rag was 
too rotten and I didn't get it. 

"The rebels got into our rear in the railroad cut, crawled up the 
embankment and we rolled them back dead into the railroad cut by 
the dozen. It was all over within twenty minutes. But we were out- 
flanked by the enemy and saw our men away to the left running back, 
cavalry, infantry and artillery and the rebel yell going up all the 
time, 'Get out of this, Yanks.' " 

Major Brown was born near Rural Village in Armstrong Coun- 
ty in 1839 and is the fourth son of Jacob and ^ancy Brown. When 
about nine years of age he, with his father, moved to Clarion County 
and assisted on a farm until about 1858. He received his primary 



808 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

education in the common schools. He went to an academy and taiiglil 
school in the winter. He came back home in the summer of 1861 ancj 
entered Allegheny College at Meadville with the intention of taking 
the regular college course but came home and helped to take off the 
harvest and, in the early part of August, 1862, enlisted in Captain 
Core's company. He is very eulogistic of Captain Core. 

Major Brown wants it on record: "I never saw a better man, 
nor a braver man nor a more all around man, and a better man was 
r.ever in the Army than Greneral James A. Beaver. We were for- 
tunate beyond expression in having him for our commander.'' 



NOTE BY THE EDITOE. 



The Confederate work on the Petersburg line, the scene of the 
brilliant exploit of Major Brown and his hundred men, was named 
by the comrades of the Regiment ''Fort Crater," probably because 
of its proximity to the crater formed by the mine explosion, and 1 
have allowed this name to stand in several stories, but since there is 
no mention of a Fort Crater in the Rebellion Records or in any war 
history, I deem it proper to refer the reader to the "Brigade Com- 
mander's Story," by General Mulholland, page 56, who quotes the 
report of this affair by the Confederate General, B. R. Johnsun, in 
which the work is denominated "Davidson's Battery." A descrip- 
tion of the fort will be found on pages 52 and 53. It is also proper 
to say that tliese 'hundred men were not volunteers or in any sense 
picked men, but on the contrary they were simply representatives of 
rhe average of the Regiment. They constituted a regular detail nuule 
in the usual way from the men ''next for duty" on the roster. See 
the story of Adjutant Ramsey, page 352. 




BREVET-MAJOR J. Z. BROWN 



THE 148TH PENNSYLF^NIA VOLUNTEERS 809 



THE STOEY OF COMPANY K. 
PART III. 

By Dennis Conner. 
It is now thirty-seven years since the close of the Civil War, and 
when we look back to that time the few of us who yet remain can 
recall many scenes and incidents that were very exciting at tlie time 
and are interesting now to think and talk about. I well remember 
the day we as a company left home for the front. JSTone of us knew 
anytliing about war but all expected soon to find out. We were 
assigned to the Second Army Corps, First Brigade, First Division 
and were in camp at Falmouth not far from Fredericksburg. We 
remained here during the winter and did picket duty along the north 
bank of the Rappahannock while the rebels were doing the same on 
the other side of the river. Now there was more or less shooting back 
and forth at each other all winter, but they had the advantage of us. 
They were well sheltered and protected by the buildings of the town 
while on our side we had no protection of any kind, so we dug holes 
in the ground to stand in while on picket ; and still they would suc- 
ceed in shooting one of our men occasionally, and there is where [ 
got my first lesson in actual war. I went to relieve a man on a picket 
post one night at midnight and he was down in the hole and I thought 
sound asleep. I tried to wake him and I soon found he was dead ; 
had been shot by a rebel across the river. Now I had never seen a 
dead man before that time and I felt a little timid about being there 
alone with him. I was young in experience and in years and I did not 
know what to do with him. I soon decided to try and get him out of 
the hole. I took hold of his arms to pull him out. I pulled him 
up and turned him around till the light of the moon shone on his 
face and I could see himl full in the face and that one look knocked 
me out completely. I could do no more. The ball that had killed 
him went in close to his eye and knocked his eye out on his face and 
made him look terrible. I let him fall back in the hole and 
stay there till a new man came to relieve me and I think 



810 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

I can safely say it was a long two lioiirs to me till I was relieved. We 
continued to do picket duty in this way till about the first of May of 
1863, wdien the Army broke camp and crossed the river at the United 
States Ford. 

The battle of Chancellorsville was our first experience in battle 
and the Regiment lost heavily. Company K's loss was one killed and 
the Captain and eight men wounded and eight taken prisoner. One 
of the wounded died a few days after in the field hospital. After this 
battle the Army of the Potomac moved back to their old camps and 
did picket duty about the same as before till about the middle of 
June, when we again broke camp and started north in the direction 
of Washington, We soon found the rebels were ahead of us going 
north. We followed them closely, passing through Haymarket, Cen- 
terville, up by Thoroughfare Gap and crossed the Potomac at Falling 
Waters. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 811 



SUPPLEMENT TO K COMPANY'S STORY. 

It is said, upon apparently good authority, that Samuel Sloan 
came from Louden County, Virginia, March 3, 1797, and settled 
upon the farm which he subsequently purchased over which Pickett 
made his famous charge July 3, 1863. He also owned a considerable 
body of lands in the neighborhood of Grettysburg upon which, in part, 
the first day's fight took place. 

One of the sons of Samuel Sloan was Capt. John Sloan, who 
served throiTghout the entire period of the Revolution and, at the close 
of the War, removed to western Pennsylvania, where he became 
famous as an Indian fighter and is said to have been a terror to the 
redskins. He was a powerfully built man, six feet four inches in 
height, and weighing over two hundred pounds. He was called by 
the Indians ''Big Moccasin." His home was in Westmoreland 
County on a farm upon which the town of Latrobe now stands. He 
was a great hunter, however, and spent a portion of each hunting 
season in Clarion County, when it was a wilderness. In this way he 
became quite familiar with the region and selected and purchased 
from the government a large tract of land in and around Greenville 
and, in 1815, settled his five sons thereon, assisting them to clear 
their farms and build their houses. A number of these farms art- 
still owned and occupied by his descendants. They have always been 
among the reliable, respected and well-to-do farmers of that region. 

It is not surprising, therefore, that the descendants of Capt. 
John Sloan took a prominent part in our Civil War. One of his 
grandsons and five of his great-grandsons having enlisted at Curlls- 
ville, Clarion County with Captain Core in a company which after- 
wards became K of the 148th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
served with great fidelity therein. 

William C. Sloan, an uncle of the others, was promoted from 
Corporal November 15, 1863, was killed at Spotsylvania Court 
House, Virginia, May 12, 1864, and buried in burial grounds in the 
Wilderness. The others were great-grandsons of Captain John and 



812 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

great-great-grandsons of the Samuel, above referred to, who settled 
at Gettysburg. 

Alexander C. Sloan was promoted from Sergeant to First Ser- 
geant November 15, 1863 ; to Second Lieutenant, September 4, 1864; 
to First Lieutenant, October 3, 1864, and was mustered out with his 
company June 1, 1865. 

Isaac IST. Sloan was promoted to Corporal December 9, 1862 ; to 
Sergeant September 15, 1864, and to the non-commissioned staff of 
the Eegiment as Sergeant Major May 18, 1865, and was mustered 
out with the Regiment June 1, 1865. Wounded and prisoner. Died 
in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1901. 

Samuel H. Sloan, a nephew of William C. and cousin of the 
others, was promoted to Corporal October 31, 1864, and mustered out 
with the company June 1, 1865. 

William J. M. Sloan died at Morrisville, Virginia, September 
9, 1863. 

Walter L. Corbett, a cousin of the younger generation of the 
Sloans, who enlisted with them at the age of fourteen, was killed at 
Deep Bottom, Virginia, August 14, 1864. 

The details of this family are given at length, first, for the rea- 
son that it is a striking illustration of the spirit which pervaded tbe 
country at the time the services of our people were demanded for tlie 
preservation of the Union and, second, because no otlier one family 
was perhaps more numerously represented in the Regiment, although 
the Meyers and Bierlys of A and the Holloways of D might furnish 
an equally interesting record, if the relationships which bound theni 
to other members of the Regiment were followed out. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 813 



SERGEANT SLOAN'S LAST LETTER. 

"Near Spotsylvania Court House, May 9, 1864. 
"Mr. J. W. Sloan, 

"Dear Friend: I wrote to you on Saturday last, but I am not 
sure whether it was mailed. There has been very heavy fighting for 
the last four days. Considerable of cannonading yesterday at a dis- 
tance. We moved to the left some five miles yesterday morning in 
the direction of the above named place, formed line of battle in the 
woods and lay until morning. There has been no firing this morning 
so far up to the present. Our men have defeated the enemy at every 
point Generals Grant and Meade rode along our line on Saturday 
night with a large escort. The troops appear in be in good spirits 
and are in great hopes that this will be the last battle. This has been 
one of the hardest battles of this War so far and will likely last for 
some time. Prisoners say Longstreet was severely wounded. Tho 
105th Pennsylvania Volunteers lost about one hundred and forty 
men. Colonel Craig was wounded in the face. I think there is but 
one officer in the Regiment killed. Lieutenant Mortimer was up to the 
Regiment this morning, but is not able to march. Our boys all stand 
it first rate, very little straggling. We got five days' rations issued 
last night and the orders are to make them last eight days if neces- 
sary. The new soldiers think it pretty hard, but the old soldiers can 
easily do it if the marching is not too hard, from six to eight hard 
tack a day with strong coffee and a little meat will satisfy me. 1 
have not eaten as much on this march as I did in camp. This march 
is very different from the march to Gettysburg. The men are not 
marched to death before going into battle. Our men are fresh all 
the time. Our Corps has done some hard fighting. Prisoners say 
General Lee took his best troops and tried to break our center, but 
failed. He marched his troops up in solid column but our men fought 
in intrenchments and repulsed them every time with heavy loss. Our 
men would then charge and drive them for a considerable distance, 
but would generally get driven back. The fighting was done alto- 
gether in the woods. It seems to be a perfect wilderness. O'ur men 
throw intrenchments up whenever we stop. Prisoners have a pretty 
hard time, they do the most of the intrenching. I have not time to 
write any more at present. When we stop we do not know what min- 
ute we may have to start. We have to be in readiness all the time. 

"Write soon, W. C. Sloan. 

"P. S. — Wednesday, 12th. The mail is just leaving. We have 
had seven days' fighting and no telling when it will end. We havt- 
five killed and twelve wounded yesterday. Captain Core is wounded 



814 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

in arm; llazlett is slightly wouiidcd in the arm; Jim George is 
wounded in arm ; Jacob Mast, Ben Thompson, A. Wansetler, John 
Eostorf, Ben Carl are killed ; the rest are all right and in good 
heart. We are bound for Richmond. I will write the first oppor- 
tunity. We have had some rain today for the first. 

"Seegt. W. C. Slo.v^." 

This part of the letter was written the morning he was killed. 



A GALLANT PENiS^SYLVANIA SOLDIER. 

By R. H. Forster 

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1877. 
Editors Bellefonte Watchman : In the address delivered at the 
recent annual reunion of the Veterans Club of Center County, I paid 
a slight tribute to the memory of Capt. Thompson Core, of Company 
K, 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers, who died while in service from 
a wound received in battle near Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, 
in 1864. In 1863 he received a severe wound in the left arm at the 
battle of Chancellorsville, and it was from a second wound in the 
same arm of which he died. He was one of the most gallant and 
generous of men and a favorite of all who knew him. The following 
is the tribute : 

"The loss of Captain Core was a grievous one and came unex- 
pectedly from a wound in the arm. The wound was severe though not 
at the time considered dangerous. Erysipelas supervened and caused 
his death. He was a large man, big hearted and good natured, and by 
his unfailing kindness had endeared every one to him. He was also 
known in the Regiment as a model of devotion to duty, always to be 
relied u}X)n, under any circumstances, and never disappointing expec- 
tations. An instance of this may be given. One night while Ave 
were in bivouac on the banks of the Rappahannock, Captain Core 
was on picket duty in charge of a detail from the Regiment. In the 
morning we crossed the river and by an oversight the pickets were 
not relieved and were thus left behind. After we had proceeded a mile 
or more the oversight was discovered and a discussion arose as 
to whether it was worth while to send back after them, some think- 
ing that they might relieve themselves and follow of their own ac- 
cord. The Colonel desired to know who was in command and wah 
informed that it was Captain Core. 

"Then go back immediately and relieve him. Core will not 
leave without orders if he stavs there until doomsdav." 



THE I48TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 815 

Since the publication of the above I have received a letter from 
Colonel Silas J. Marlin of Brookville, Pennsylvania, an officer of 
the same Regiment, who relates an incident in the career of Captiiin 
Core which further illustrates his character as a soldier so well that 
I cannot forbear giving it to the public. Colonel Marlin writes as 
follows : 

"I think your idea of Captain Core's unselfish devotion is 
not overdrawn. I recollect very distinctly at Chancellorsville, after 
he had been severely wounded he came to me to ask the favor that 1 
should look to his company while he was absent and he would see, 
before he went to the hospital, that ammunition would be sent to our 
command. After being hurt how few would have thought of the 
fight ? His true and unselfish devotion was beyond praise ! Where 
so many did splendidly in our noble Regiment I mention Core be- 
cause this incident in our first battle made so lasting an impression 
on my mind." 

Captain Core belonged to Clarion County, Pennsylvania, and 
it may be a gratificatioii to his friends in that county to know what 
a deep impression his noble and unselfish heroism made upon his 
brother soldiers of the 148th and how fervently they cherish his 
memory. 



IN THE HOSPITAL. 



TAJIT I. 

By D. W. Woodring , of H Company. 

In the des2>erate eiicoinitcr in which the four companies remain- 
ing with the colors took part on Sunday morning, May 3, 1863, west 
of the main road from Chancellorsville to the river, I was wounded 
in the left elbow, the right leg and right and left shonlders ; was car- 
ried from tlie field and left in the woods east of what was known ah 
the White House, with the Twelfth Corps hospital. I say "with" 
rather than "in," because the hospital, of course, was simply a col- 
lection of wounded men lying in the open, with surgeons and others 
ministering to them as best they could during a battle. 

The woods were shelled that afternoon and, in consequence, the 
hospital w^as removed. When this operation was going on, I asked 
the person who seemed to be in charge of the removal of the wounded 
— presumably a hospital steward — if they were not going to take mt. 
along. His answer was , "No ; lie there and die and be d — d ; you 
will die anyway," and 90 I would have done so far as any assistance 
received from anyone connected with this hospital was concerned. 

After all had gone, however, I managed to turn over and crawl 
down the hill as best I could ; but finally, falling into a hole made 
by an uprooted tree, I was unable to move therefrom and seemed to 
be in desperate case. About sundo^vn, however, the 124th Pennsyl- 
vania Regiment came along and Col. Joseph W. Hawley took the 
guns from several of his men and directed them to carry me to the 
road and take me across the Pappahannock in an ambulance. When 
we reached the road, the same hospital steward who had refused to 
remove me with the Tweltli Corps hospital was there and in charge 
of the ambulances. He brutally refused to |>ermit me to be put 
aboard one of them, until compelled to do so by our Chaplain, as 
related in tlie "Chaplain's Story." 

Soon after tlie ambulance began to move I fainted, and have no 
furtlier recollection of aiiytliiug until the next ninniiiig, when the 
hospital on the nortli s^ide of the river was slielh^d and Peter Frantz 
of our companv canu' to wlicro I was lying and lioljied me to walk to 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIA VOLUNTEERS 8\7 

one of our own ambulances which conveyed me to the Potomac Creek 
Hospital which was a well organized field hospital and had been used 
for the sick during the winter before the Chancellorsville campaign. 
1 was there put into a tent at the lower end of a street on Monday 
night. May 4, 1863. The tent was tied upon the outside and no 
report of my having been left there could have been made, for no one 
came to the tent, until the morning of May 11, 1863, Avhen my good 
friend Peter Frantz again appeared and found me nearly devoured 
by maggots. 

Up imtil this time not even a bandage had been placed on the 
wound in my arm or any attention given to my other wounds. That 
afternoon the arm was amputated. Whether it could have been saved 
if attended to at once I am unable to say but neglect and exposun; 
had caused fever to set in and left me in a precarious condition. 

DoctiOr Gray, formerly a surgeon in the Crimean War, was in 
charge of the hospital, with Doctors Beatty and Kelso as assistants. 

The Sunday afternoon after the amputation the hospital was 
visited by General Hancock and Major Forster and Captain Bayard 
of our own Regiment. 

Sergt, J. J. Fleming, of D Company, with a wound in the calf 
of his leg and Sergeant Boyne, of Pettit's Battery, with one side 
of his foot taken off with a solid shot, were also in this hospital. They 
Vv'ere the life of our tent. They were in fine spirits and both having 
crutches they would fence and otherwise attack each other with them 
in such a way as to divert the attention of those more severely' 
wounded who were thus led to forget their pain and make the tent 
resound with their laughter. 

One day Boyne asked Doctor Beatty to prescribe whiskey for 
his sore foot. The Doctor sent him an ounce bottle of it which Boyne 
would hold up and look at so that all in the tent could see it. Finally 
he said he would drink the whiskey and rub the bottle over the 
wound, which he proceeded to do — much to our amusement. 

On the 14th of June we were loaded on such palace cars as were 
at that time used for transporting the wounded — ordinary box cars 
with a little hay as a great luxury in the bottom — and were taken to 
Acquia Creek Landing and there transferred to boats upon which we 



818 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

were taken to the junction of the Potomac River with the Chesa- 
peake Bay knoAvn as Point Lookout, Maryland, at which there was a 
general hospital. This point, which was surrounded by water ex- 
cept at one end, became very famous during the War, n(»t only for 
hospital purposes but as a camp for Confederate prisoners and a 
gathering place for "contrabands." 

While in this hospital, great numbers of "contrabands" were 
assembled there — said at one time to equal 22,000. The plantation 
songs in which perhaps 1,000 voices would join were often heard, 
especially in tlie evenings, and were as entertaining as they were 
pathetic. Whippo, of our company, who had also been wounded at 
Chancellorsville was with me in this hospital, long since gone, would 
sit and listen to them with, great interest and indulge in the critical 
and droll remarks characteristic of him, suggesting the ideal charac- 
ter of the hospitals being removed from the unwholesome influences 
of the city. There were certainly no temptations to excess of any kind 
and in this respect, as well as because of its healthfulness, the hos- 
pital was admirably situated. 

We, of course, had nothing whatever to do, even when we were 
convalescent, being surrounded by water, except on the side where a 
strong guard was placed beyond whose beat we were not allowed to 
go. Our only amusement was to tie a piece of bacon rind to a string 
and fish for crabs. Our catch we had baked in pies which gave us a 
pleasant variety of food and furnished a striking contrast to the iios- 
pital diet of codfish soup, served at least every Friday. 

I remained here until September 11, 1863, when I was dis- 
charged for disability. 

L know not whether it distinctly ap[)ears elsewhere in the story 
of H Company, but it is an interesting as well as a significant fact 
that six men of our company lost an arm at the battle of Chancellors- 
ville. They were Corporal Richard Miles, Francis J. Hunter, 
Michael Lebkoohcr, Thomas W. IMyton, Adoniram Yothers and my- 
self. ^"oth('rs (lied at Falmouth. AliU's and Lebkix'her lived for 
many years ami have but recently died. The other three are still 
living. The pictures of the six appear on one page as an illustratiou 
of this rather remarkable coincidence. 



THE 148TFI PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 819 

IN THE HOSPITAL. 



PART IT. 

By Henry Meyer 

May 10, 1864, was an eventful clay in the history of the llStli 
Regiment. It was a day of desperate fighting in which the Regiment 
distinguished itself above all other organizations that participated in 
the fierce struggle on that date on the south bank of the Po ; but thfc 
laurels garnered there were steeped in the blood of many of its 
gallant sons. Abandoned by the Division and Brigade to which the 
148th Regiment belonged, and given up as lost, it was compelled, 
unaided, to rep<^l the repeated assaults of a Confederate Division and 
recross the river in the face of overwhelming numbers of the enemy. 
Elsewhere in this work are given descriptions of this engagement, 
and also correct estimates of the losses sustained by tlie Regiment; 
therefore it is unnecessary to repeat the story in this chapter. 

Company A suffered severel}^, losing more than forty per cent 
of the number engaged. Three of her boys lay dead upon the field, 
two others were wounded fatally and died soon after, one at Rich- 
mond, one at Washington, while eighteen others were hurt less seri- 
ously and succeeded in reaching a place of safety across the river. 
Fortunately I was one of those mentioned last, and a brief sketch of 
ni}'^ experience while a member of that vast army in the rear — in the 
hospital — is contributed to this chapter of the ''Hospital Story," with 
the hope that it may be of some interest to some of my old comrades. 

The "casualty" which sent me to the rear and placed me perma- 
nently on the retired list as well, was a big hole through my left hand 
near the wrist. Ascending the high bluff on the north bank of the 
river, in company with Comrade Benjamin Beck of our company 
who also had been wounded, I observed a hospital flag of the Sixth 
Corps just inside the woods across a small field and distant about 
half a mile. Thither I directed my steps. 

A field hospital is not a very elaborate or pretentious aft'air. 
This one consisted of a red flag, an indispensable article of all hos- 
pitals, designed to guide the wounded in search of such an institu- 



820 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

tion, and also to serve as a signal to the enemy not to shell the spot, 
several long tables of rough boards and an assortment of surgical in- 
struments conspicuous and handy, no building nor tent. There were 
also several large chunks of ice among the furnishings, a luxury sel- 
dom seen at field hospitals. It was procured from an ice house near 
by; we saw parties the day before, as our command passed towards 
the river, taking out ice and carrying it to the rear. When I arrived 
at the hospital about 4:00 p. m., there were not many wounded pres- 
ent, and my turn to be operated on soon came. The surgeon requested 
me to lie on the amputation table. They then raised my arm and 
poured ice watior through the hole in my hand which caused intense 
pain. The sponge saturated with chloroform was then applied to my 
nostrils and a sweet feeling of repose gradually pervaded my tired 
body ; tJie crash of musketry and roar of cannon that resounded 
through the forest on the other side of the river where the conflict 
was still in progress, seemed to recede farther and farther in the 
distance until all was silent and dark. Recovering consciousness 
before the o}>eration was completed, and hearing the cutting and 
scraping at the shattered bones in my hand and not yet feeling any 
pain, I requested the surgeon to apply again the sponge of chloroform, 
which request was quickly complied with. T had to call a second time 
for the chloroform before the operation was finished. On recovering 
consciousness I found my hand nicely bandaged and in a sling. The 
surgeon directed me to keep the bandages wet with cold water all the 
time. He thought it might be necessary to amputate the hand as one 
of the bones was torn out of the wrist joint and such wounds wery 
difficult to heal. He said the wound would inflame greatly, and there 
was little hope that the hand could be saved. And here, in contra- 
diction to the assertion often heard that army surgeons were unsym- 
pathetic and brutal in their treatment of wounded soldiers, T desire 
t" bear testimony to the fact that in my experience while under their 
care, and my observation of their conduct and treatment of others, T 
always found them kind and courteous and ever manifesting a siu 
cere solicitude for the welfare of their patients. 

1'here were now ]>robablv about fifty wounded soldiers at the 
place; some were lying on tlie groun<l, others sitting doAvn with their 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 821 

backs to trees or other supports. Quite a number were des^jerately 
wounded and would in all probability be "mustered out" ere the set- 
ting of the sun. All were strangers to me, none of our company having 
come in yet, or possibly they reached other hospitals. Those of us 
who were able to walk started at once on the road for Fredericks- 
burg, distant, we were informed, eighteen miles. Our route must 
have been considerably roundabout, else the distance would have been 
only about twelve miles. The Confederate Army having moved to 
our left, to Spotsylvania Court Honse, Fredericksburg and the roads 
leading thither from our position, were, in consequence, uncovered, 
and the town became for the time being, our base of supplies. Im- 
mense army trains now began to move on those roads to and from 
Fredericksburg. The badly wounded were transported in ambu- 
lances and army wagons to Fredericksburg; it was imperative to get 
them out of the way as speedily as possible. I trudged along the 
dusty road from 5 :00 p. m. until dusk when I arrived at a small 
clearing in which an army wagon train was in park. I was now 
utterly exhausted and sank down upon the ground in a faint; every- 
thing became dark. From early morn during the entire day we had 
been on the move on the south side of Po River, changing |X)sition 
frequently and constructing breastworks at every new position, and 
we never secured a moment's time to make coffee or prepare food. I 
subsisted on two or three "hard tacks" that day. Hungry, weak 
from loss of blood, suffering great pain, worn out physically from 
continuous marching, working and fighting, I now found it impos- 
sible to continue my journey on foot, though there yet remained at 
least half the distance to traverse. Just then one of the teams pre- 
pared to pull out and I asked permission of the driver to get on his 
wagon. He granted my request. There were already three other 
wounded soldiers on the wagon, two of whom lay in the rear of the 
wagon bed side by side, both badly hurt. One of them had his leg 
terribly shattered and in order to keep it in place or shape it was 
firmly tied to a board. The poor fellows lay on the bare floor, there 
being neither hay nor straw under them. The other comrade and 
myself sat on a heap of bags filled with oats. Our transit was now 
assured, but it was at the expense of increased suffering. The roads 



822 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

were ruiiiili, holuu: in many ])laees ''corduroyed/' and the constant 
jolting caused our wounds to inflame and become intensely painful. 
The plunging of the wagon jostled the two men in the rear against 
each other, and we heard them swear at each other and they even 
came to blows, a^o doubt they were delirious ; tlie torture those ixK)r 
fellows endured on that night journey must have been terrible. 

At eleven o'clock the driver stopped his team, unhitched and left. 
I raised the side of the wagon cover and saw that we were at anchor in 
a field, nowhere in particular. Not knowing where to go, I re- 
mained in the wagon ; my comrade by my side left. The tw^o com- 
rades in the rear end had ceased to moan or quarrel. It was a vigil 
of five long, miserable hours before the first faint streaks of tlie 
morning sun oame. As I descended from the wagon I observed that 
the boy whose leg was tied to a board was dead and his comrade by his 
side nearly so. Daylight revealed the fact that we had bivouacked on 
the summit of a high hill, probably Marye Heights within three- 
fourths of a mile from Fredericksburg. I soon reached the old town, 
and beheld with astonishment that the sidewalks were literally cov- 
ered with wounded soldiers. Every public building and many pri- 
vate residences were converted into temporary hospitals. There 
were thousands of wounded in the town ; they had been brought in 
from the Wilderness battlefield, from Po River, and later the 
wounded from Sjwtsylvania swelled the number. Passing the hos- 
pital of the Ninth Corps, 1 soon reached that of our own, the hospi- 
tal of the First Division, Second Corjxs, which was located in a large 
brick building belonging to the fire department of the town. The 
main room or hall was about forty feet wide and about fifty feet long 
and at one end of it was an elevated platform with a railing around 
it. There also were several smaller rooms in the building. Every 
foot of space was appropriated for the wounded who were laid in 
rows on the bare floor with narrow aisles between. The small plat- 
form, about twelve feet square, was also occupied. Here I found 
sitting room for myself during the greater part of the time spent 
in the place, and thus had a good view of the wounded in the hall, 
and the scenes transpiring in that den of suffering. With hardly 
any exception the wounds of these ]X)or fellows were of a serioua 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 823 

character ; those who wore but slightly hurt were forwarded to 
Washington as rapidly as possible. There was nothing on hand 
which would bring a slight degree of comfort to the wounded — no 
bedding whatever. The poor boys lay on the bare floor, having 
neither blanket for cover, blanket or comfort on which to repose their 
lacerated limbs or bodies. Here were presented to the view wounds 
of all descriptions, bodies pierced by bullet, limbs shattered by shell 
or minie ball, eyes shot out, bowels protruding through rents made 
by ragged pieces of shell. I noticed a poor lad whose head was 
sv/ollen almost twice its natural size, his eyes swollen shut, 
his face terribly bruised and inflamed, who at intervals, would 
thump his head on the hard floor in rapid, resounding strokes and 
utter piercing screams. He was delirious and may not have been 
fully conscious of his frightful condition. Some were groaning, 
others screaming in the agony of pain; some lay perfectly quiet, 
others tossed from side to side on the floor. Death was ever present 
to claim its victims. These were carried out just beyond the build- 
ing where the grave diggers could be seen through the windows con- 
stantly at their gruesome task. I surveyed the dreadful sceness 
around me and almost persuaded myself to believe and feel that I 
was not a sufferer also, so slight seemed my injury when compared 
with those of the mangled forms ever present to my view. 

When I arrived at the building T found Doctor Davis, our regi- 
mental surgeon, in charge, and of him I inquired with some diffi- 
dence whether a person could get something to eat, for I was "awful'' 
hungry. He said breakfast would be served presently. Well, T 
felt a little skeptical on the subject. There were no eatables visible, 
and there was no flavor of anything boiling or frying. But in course 
of time we got a few army biscuits each and a small quantity of im- 
ported beef tea. It was poor diet for sick people, especially the 
former, but it was the best that could be procured under the circum- 
stances. 

On the 11th cousin Wm. C. Meyer, of our company, came in 
among a long procession of wounded. He was slightly 
hurt and was granted a thirty days' furlough. This 
was the last time I saw him, for on his return to the front ho was 



824 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

killed in the engagement at Deep Bottom, Virginia, August 14, 
1864. Comrade William Cnim, a conscript of onr company, was 
also brought into our hospital. He was severely wounded and was 
tied on a stretcher. He spoke to me and said, "I hope to God I may 
die soon for I can't get well." He said that he was suffering ter- 
ribly. However, the poor fellow lived to be taken to Washington 
where he soon after died. 

During the night (11th) it began to rain and continued next 
day. Early in the morning of the 12th we heard rapid and con- 
tinuous volleys of musketry and the roar of cannon at the front. It 
was the assault of the Second Corps on the rebel position at Spot- 
sylvania, and during the afternoon of the same day the rebels cap- 
tured there were marched through Fredericksburg on their way 
north. 

Large squads of the wounded left the town at intervals, 
marched across the j^eninsula to Belle Plain Landing on the Poto- 
mac, distant eleven miles, and were thence transported on boat to 
Washington. Doctor Davis had promised to place me in one of tliose 
squads and I waited until the 15th for a chance to go, supposing that 
one had to be regularly enrolled by some officer in order to insure a 
passage on the boat. But the Doctor had his hands full and the 
responsibilities resting upon him were very great, so he forgot all 
about his promise. Therefore, when on the morning of M^ay 15th, 
I observed another contingent getting ready to march to Belle Plain, 
1 joined ranks on my own responsibility. The long procession of 
almost a thousand men wended its way across the pontoon bridge on 
the Rappahannock, past our old picket posts of the winter of 1862 
and 1863, and across old familiar camp sites with halting, uncertain 
step, little heeding objects of historic interest along the route, Onr 
company soon became scattered ; those who were strong and wounded 
less seriously outstripped the weaker fellows who straggled behind. 
We had not proceeded more than three or four miles until I was left 
alone, far in the rear. Half starved, suffering great pain, and the 
sun's rays beating down with increasing intensity, T finally gave 
out entirely. I sat down by a tiny spring of water. All the time i 
was obliged to wage a war against the blow-flies to prevent them 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANU FOLUNTEERS 825 

from alighting on my wounded hand. While resting at the spring 
1 observed two men of the Christian, or Sanitary, Commission pass- 
ing by on foot towards Fredericksburg. Each carried a satchel and 
I supposed these contained a lot of eatables. I hailed them and 
during the brief conversation which ensued, I inquired if they had 
anything to eat, informing them also of my helpless situation. O'nt 
of the men replied that he still had a few fragments of soda biscuits, 
and turning his satchel upside down, he shook the crumbs into my 
hand and also a small piece of boiled ham, remarking at the same 
time, "This is all I have got and I don't know where I will get my 
next meal, but I give my last crumb to the soldiers." Indeed, a 
feeling of guilty shame crept over me for robbing those men of their 
last morsel, for I knew full well how slim their chance would be to 
secure any food in Fredericksburg. Soldiers ask no favors. They 
are schooled to rely upon themselves, except in cases of extreme 
"urgency ; otherwise I should have handed back the food. Being now 
somewhat refreshed I resumed my journey but in a short time gave 
out a second time. Just then the friendly covered army wagon 
again came to the rescue, as the driver allowed me to get on board. 
!N^ow I was certain to reach my destination, but the jolting over the 
I'ough roads was torture. As we reached the high bluffs which over- 
look the Potomac a furious thunderstorm burst over the landscape 
and aggravated the discomforts of the situation. I disembarked 
in the rain and walked down to the river, the teamster having kindly 
furnished me with a piece of shelter tent to wrap around me. 

In the middle of the Potomac lay at anchor a big hospital steam- 
boat which carried the wounded to Washington, making a trip every 
twenty-four hours about, I think. A small steam tug conveyed thfe 
soldiers from the wharf to the large boat. I fell in at once at the 
t.'iil end of the procession of some eight hundred men, four in a col- 
umn, moving at a snail's pace in the direction of the wharf. The 
badly wounded, those who had to bo carried on stretchers, were first 
taken across, and it was a slow process to transport them to the tu£» 
boat and thence to the hospital boat. The tug was obliged to make 
many trips to convey so many men. We remained in line from 4:00 
p. M. until 8 :00 p. m. before the last file of our column reached the 



826 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

small boat; the greater part of the time we stood in soft mud knee 
deep along the route from the river bank to the wharf. While on 
the small boat I had an op]X)rtunity to examine my wounded hand, 
^vhich had now become swollen twice its normal size and was very 
painful. On removing the bandages I discovered that they were 
dry as powder, the water which I kept pouring on at short intervals 
in compliance with instructions given me by the surgeon at the field 
hospital, never penetrated beyond the outer layers of the bandages 
because the swelling of the hand and arm had drawn them too 
tightly. My wound had not been dressed since the morning of the 
11th — four days. My hand was almost black and I was certain that 
mortification had already set in. It was already dark when the last 
of the boys got in the big hospital boat. In a moment our condition 
^vas changed as far as outward circumstances were concerned, from 
ti state of misery to one of solid comfort. The boat was large and 
commodious, it was furnished with excellent beds, and there was an 
abundance of good, substantial food. An attendant led me along a 
tier of bunks and pointed out one and said, "You occupy that." T 
had waded through mud a foot deep only an hour before, and the 
accumulated dust of a week past rendered my apparel somewhat un- 
tidy in api>earance, and I said I would not get between those white 
sheets with my dirty clothes. But he said, "Get in ; we'll attend to 
that, and in a few minutes we will bring you some supj^er." I crept 
into the bed, a real bed, a luxury to which I had been a stranger for 
almost two years. A bowl of excellent soup was now handed to each 
of the patients. T had not been able to secure an hour's sleep since 
the night of the 9th, at the front, and T now tried to sleep, but with 
poor success on account of the increasing pain. Then I went in 
search of the surgeon and found him in his office, doing nothing in 
particular. That functionary seemingly was there more for orna- 
incnt than use; lie manifested no special interest in my case, nor in 
that of any other wounded soldier, as far as my obsen^ation went. 
]Io\vever, by his direction the steward gave me a dose of laudanum, 
which had the effect of allaying the pain considerably. 

The boat glided smoothly along the Potomac; it did not jar 
our lacerated limli?; and Ixxlics, and was, tliorc^foro, a great improve- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 827 

meiit on army wag'on transportation across cordnroy roads. When 
the snn had risen in the morninij the boat was fonnd already tied to 
the wharf at Washington. The wonnded were speedily distributed 
among the varions hospitals of the city. The ambulance to which 
several comrades and myself were assigned drove up Seventh Street 
and unloaded us at Campbell Hospital located at the terminus o'f 
the street car railroad, distant from Pennsylvania Avemie about two 
and a half miles. 

The hospital consisted of nine or ten wards, originally frame 
structures. Later a number of additional wards Avere put up to ac- 
commodate the increasing nnmber of wounded. These were tempo- 
rary structures intended for summer occupancy, covered with can- 
vas and open along the sides. They were probably one hundred and 
fifty feet long and sufficiently wide to accommodate two rows of cots 
along the sides with an aisle between the same extending through the 
length of the ward. The cots were placed about two feet ajiart ; the 
floor was of rough boards. T was placed in "Ward A." 

The first ceremony to which we were subjected on our arrival 
was that of purification-^ — that is, we were taken to the bath-room and 
scrubbed. Hospital apparel was then given us and cots were assigned 
us in the wards. The condition of my wound was at such a stage 
now that I Avas certain amputation was a necessity. In my simplic- 
ity I inquired, therefore, of an attendant, "Could T send for the sur- 
geon in charge?" not realizing that the chief surgeon of a great hos- 
pital, who had under his care several thousand wounded soldiers, 
would hardl_y be in a ]X)sitioii to respond with alacrity to a message 
of the kind. However, the attendant said he would see. Tn a few 
minutes a fine, gentlemanly officer came to uiy cot. It was the sur- 
geon in charge, Dr. A. F. Shelden. I desired liim to examine m;y^ 
hand and if it was necessary to amputate it, as I tlionght was the 
case, I should like to have the operation i">erformed immediately. 
He looked at me a moment then informed me that I was too 
weak to undergo the operation ; that I nuist rest and eat 
awhile to get stronger. He said that on the following 
day my ease wonld be taken under consideration. It seems 
it was an unusual thing for a patient to make a request that a limb 



828 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

be aiuputated, for the Doctor often teased me about it subsequently, 
especially when visitors accompanied him while making his rounds. 
Pointing at me he would say, "This is the boy who asked me to 
amputate his hand." True to his promise next day Doctor Shelden, 
accompanied by several attendants, came to my cot and informed mt 
that they had come to take me to the operating room to amputate 
my hand. I got up and started to walk, but they halted me, and 
said they would carry me on a stretcher because I was too weak to 
walk. It surprised me to learn that my case was so serious. After 
being placed on the table I suggested that it would probably be nec- 
essary to take off the arm above the elbow, because of the bad con- 
dition of the wound. The Doctor replied, "We will put you under 
the influence of chloroform and then examine your hand; you could 
not stand it now, and we shall do the best we possibly can." 

When the chloroform was administered all pain gradually left 
me and a feeling of relief and sweet rest stole over me. I felt 
utterly indifferent also as to whether I should again recover con- 
sciousness or pass into the great beyond. Indeed, when a young 
man has before him the gloomy prospect of dragging himself through 
a long life on one leg or battling the world with but one hand, he 
would relinquish life without serious regret, especially when his exit 
would be facilitated through the painless agency of an anaesthetic. 
Those three hours of unconsciousness are a blank in my existence; it 
was the blackness of darkness ; a person under the influence of chloro- 
form does not dream dreams. 

On regaining consciousness I found myself back in my ward 
upon my cot. My first thought was, where is the hand cut off? My 
arm lay on a cushion by my side neatly bandaged, the hand off near 
the wrist. An attendant sat by my side and kept ice water on my 
wound. There he sat, or some one else in his place, day and night 
for a whole week and not for a moment was I left alone. Inquiring 
why I was being watched so carefully and continuously, they in- 
formed me that the operation was not considered very satisfactory ; 
that an artery might open and T would bleed to death unless imme- 
diate help would be summoned. During my stay at the hospital I 
learned that in amputation cases arteries frequently come oi)en 



THE 148TH PENNSYLF^NU VOLUNTEERS 829 

and it was a common occurrence, at all hours of the day or night to 
see or hear surgeons and nurses rush through the wards to rescue 
patients thus threatened with certain death. The operation on my 
hand was performed May 17th, seven days after the wound was in- 
flicted at the front in line of battle. On the same day, or day after, 
the Chaplain of the hospital came to see me ; he took down the name 
and address of my folks at home and proposed writing a letter to 
them for me. I assented gladly. And he intimated that it would 
be advisable to request some of my folks to come to Washington to 
see me. "JSTo," said I, "it is not necessary for in a short time I shall 
be able to go home on a furlough." ^Nevertheless, he sent such a 
message, stating that I was very low and that my recovery was 
doubtful. I saw the letter after my return home and I always sus- 
pected that the surgeon inspired it. 

As the wounded entered the hospitals their names and the 
organizations to which they belonged were put on record in books 
kept for that purpose. Several of the states maintained agents at 
Washington whose duty it was to see after the comfort and needs of 
the soldiers of their respective states. These records would show at 
a glance what soldiers of the different states were quartered in a hos- 
pital ; even the ward and cot would there be noted. This provision 
of state agency was a great blessing to many a boy in the hospitals. 
These agents would see that a soldier received sujfficient food, proper 
clothing and careful attendance, where necessary. They would write 
letters for the boys, furnish stationery and even money; they 
would give information and advice, assist in procuring discharge 
from the service and prepare applications for pension after one was 
discharged. The amount of good these state agents, the Sanitary 
Commission, the Christian Commission, and other organizations, 
performed is simply beyond computation. Our state agent was Mr. 
; he came to see me soon after my arrival at the hos- 
pital and plied me with questions how I fared, etc. ; should he write 
to my friends at home? "No," the Chaplain had written. Did I 
need anything ? Was I in need of money ? "No, I am in want of 
nothing here. We have an abundance of good food, our beds are very 
comfortable: our doctors are skillful and kind and our attendants 



850 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

are faithful. Here we rest undisturbed. This is Paradise." Xc 
doubt the agent found other Pennsylvania boys in localities where the 
environments were not so nearly perfect and where he could be of 
more service. 

The patients in onr ward were all quite severely wounded so 
that most of them were confined to their bunks continnally. Hav- 
ing been accustomed to the bustle and hilarity incident to camp life 
in the Army and recently the excitement of skirmishing with the 
enemy at the front, the sudden transition from those scenes of stren- 
uous activity to a state of helpless and utter inaction, had a tendency 
to produce a feeling of loneliness and even homesickness. The scenes 
of suffering and distress ever present to our view and the never ceas- 
ing groans of some of the men would tend to make our situation still 
more gloomy and intolerable. Thus not a few of the poor fellows in 
hospitals lost courage, gave way to despondency and died. In order 
to mitigate the severity of the bodily suffering of the patients as 
much as possible, and to provide suitable diversions for the mind, the 
Government in conjunction with the Christian and Sanitary Com- 
missions and other charitable organizations, contributed a vast quan- 
tity and variety of "extras" to all the hospitals in our large cities 
and other points easy of access. There never was any lack of medi- 
cines, surgical appliances, or efficient medical attendance both on the 
part of the doctors or nurses. Good, substantial food was abundant. 
Lemonade, root beer and other summer beverages, and many deli- 
cacies of various kinds were frequently served the boys. There were 
piles of books, magazines, and various periodicals within reach of 
those who felt inclined to read. There were checker boards for those 
who would delight in games. Through the medium of these agencies 
a ray of cheer and happiness might perchance penetrate to the heart 
of the most despairing. 

During the summer of 1864 the excitement of the presi- 
dential campaign ran high. We of the hospital discussed 
lX)litics. Both the presidential candidates, Lincoln and Mc- 
Clcllan, had their respective partisans in our ward and our windy 
harrangues sometimes reached such a stage of "pernicious activity" 
that our ward authorities were obliged to interfere. Opposite m\ 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 831 

cot across the aisle lay a member of the 5th Vermont Regiment, who 
was the acknowledged humorist of the ward. By his funny stories 
witty sayings and humorous antics generally, he kept us roaring 
with laughter until we yelled at him to "shut up" as the agitation 
of our corporeal part caused by laughter would increase the pain of 
our wounds. He had been shot through one of his arms near the 
wrist and all the bones were taken out for the space of an inch and 
a half. This space, it was said, would fill up with gristle, but the 
hand would never be of any service. Yet he preferred not to hav« 
it amputated. He was a sufferer like the rest of us, but sucJi a little 
matter was not allowed to interfere with his ebullitions of humor. 
He used to say that Lincoln and himself were equally noted for 
beauty. Who was the boy? I never knew; he was simply "5th 
Vermont" to us ; names are nothing either in the hospital or in 
the Army. Sucli terms as "John Smith," "William Jones," or 
"James Brown" were useless appendages. It is said that Cyrus 
knew by name every soldier in his army. Well, if he wished to load 
his memory in that manner he had his choice in the matter. We 
(!ould rememl)er faces perhaps equally as well as Cyrus, but wo 
designated each other not precisely by numbers, as inmates of peni- 
tentiaries are said to be labeled, but by the names of the states 
whence each came or in the Army by name of the company or regi- 
ment to which a soldier belonged. The comrade on the cot on my 
right was a ISTew Jersey boy ; to the left an Ohio boy ; our big, jovial, 
kind-hearted nurse who dressed our wounds every morning, or 
of tener, if desired, was a Michigan boy ; so on through the whole 
list. Whatever names we deigned to apply to each other were gen- 
erally expressive nick names. Among those two hundred occupants 
of our ward there were no two who had ever met before; all were 
strangers to each other yet friends nevertheless from the moment 
they met. That is the privilege of all veteran soldiers to claim each 
other as friends without the formality of an introduction. 

Among the several luxuries dispensed daily to the weaker class 
of patients was a ration of whiskey punch. Tt tasted good and was 
ohilarating. After taking it several days 1 declined the tempting 
potion. N"o doubt it was beneficial as a tonic, but the danger of 



832 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

acquiring a taste for strong drink and finally becoming a drunkard 
deterred me from its furtker use. Doctor Shelden thought that I 
ought to take some kind of stimulant, however, and said he would 
order a bottle of porter every morning which I should imbibe in 
small doses during the day, I acquiesced and even petitioned him 
to restore my name on the favored list of porter patients after the 
same had been struck off later on, because the beverage had become 
an unnecessary luxury. The doctor smiled and the ration came as 
heretofore. 

The various dispositions manifested by wounded was remark- 
able. There were those Avho, though only slightly hurt, would moan 
and lament continually to the great annoyance and disgust of the 
other sufferers. There were others who underwent the most excru- 
ciating torture, but not a groan or word of complaint escaped their 
lips. They gritted their teeth and bore their torture in silence. Within 
a few yards from me lay a big German patient whose left arm was 
severely hurt and his right leg still more seriously ; his leg lay in a 
tin trough, and both it and the arm were suspended by ropes fas- 
tened to the rafters above. One day we heard something drop into 
the tin trough in which his leg was suspended, and on examination 
it was discovered that the bullet which had caused the wound had 
dropped out, having by its own weight penetrated through the rotten 
flesh. Thus he lay, unable to change his position in the least, except 
his right arm, and suffered terribly for days till relief came — death. 
But he never complained, never groaned ; he smoked his pipe in 
stoical silence. Among the seriously wounded there was also a great 
diversity as to chance or probability of recovery. Some got well 
contrary to all expectation. One of the boys of our ward had a 
bullet hole through his face close to his ears. Only liquid food wa& 
at all adapted to his case, and that nearly all came out at the bullet 
holes when he attempted to swallow. However, after a time these 
vents healed up and the boy recovered. This is only an illustration 
of numberless similar cases. On the other hand many died that 
should to all appearances have survived. As an illustration: A 
young, robust comrade came into the ward one day who was slightly 
hurt at one of his little fingers. The surgeons took it off, but the 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 833 

wound inflamed and the hand was amputated; next it was found 
necessary to take off the arm near the shoulder ; then he died. It 
Avas said that the young man had been addicted to the use of strong 
drink, for which reason the wound failed to heal. It was a common 
observation among surgeons and attendants that drinking characters 
had a slim chance of recovery if severely wounded. Those boys of 
the 148th Regiment, who had the misfortune of getting hurt, had 
reasons to be thankful that there was no regimental "araiy canteen" 
during their period of service. 

Squads of visitors passed through our ward at certain hours 
daily. Among them was Mrs. Lincoln on a certain day, but Mr. 
Lincoln never came to visit ours while I was an inmate, yet it was 
said that he frequently went through the hospitals of the city. 
Friends and relatives of many of the patients came in almost daily. 
In obedience to the suggestion conveyed in the Chaplain's letter, 
before mentioned, my father came to see me on the last day of May. 
I did not expect any of my people to come and of course I was sur- 
prised. I noticed father as he came into the ward. He passed along 
the aisle and scrutinized the patients on each side as he went. He 
passed by me failing to recognize me. So I called him back. He 
seemed greatly distressed because my hand was off — and what par- 
ent would not be? He remained in the city several days. Father 
and I conversed in Pennsylvania German and my jolly Vermont 
comrade across the aisle was very much surprised to learn that 1 
was the possessor of such linguistic accomplishments as to be able to 
discourse in a foreign language ! 

June 22d, I had so far improved that it was deemed safe to send 
me home on a furlough. August 20th I returned to the hospital, 
having spent two months very pleasantly at home. My circum- 
stances at the institution now suffered a sudden and violent change 
for the worse. I was no longer the pampered occupant of downy 
beds of ease in the sick ward, to be petted by sympathizing visitors 
and fed on dainties, but I was cruelly thrust out, as it were, into 
utter darkness, to take up my abode among the common herd of con- 
valescents who in like manner had been relegated to the rough bar- 
racks on the premises, there to be nourished on army fare of hard 



834 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

tack, beans, pork and weak coffee, all dumped on one general table. 
I made application for my discharge, desiring to return home and 
enter school, for the mutilated condition of my corporeal part ren- 
dered the trade I had learned useless to me, and it became impera- 
tive to begin life anew. Dr. Shelden intimated that I might join 
the invalid corps during the balance of my term of enlistment and 
perform guard duty about the hospital grounds. I suppose I should 
have had an easy time serving in that organization, but there were 
already nine one-armed invalids doing sentinel duty on the premises"; 
anyhow, there was no great probability of making a fortune, or of 
achieving glory and fame in the invalid corps. Then the Doctor 
proposed that I should remain at the hospital and perform duty as 
a clerk. This proposition was tempting, yet I preferred to adhere 
to my original resolution of returning home and entering some edu- 
cational institution. I was discharged September 12, 1864. 

Some time after my return home the Doctor and I exchanged 
photographs, and this is what he wrote in relation thereto : 

Campbell Hospital, Washington, D. C, October 3, 1864. 
Friend Meyer: I am happy to inform you of the safe arrival 
of your photograph for which I am very much obliged. It will be 
added to my collection. It will often remind me of what I thought 
to be one of the poorest operations ever performed inrthe hospital, 
yet terminating in one of the best. I presume you will look back 
on the time you spent in Campbell Hospital only satisfactorily 
though youT loss was great. But when you think of some that lay 
about you, you will feel grateful that yours was not like theirs. The 
hospital is looking very nicely. 

With best wishes for your future welfare, I am, 

Very respectfully, 
(Signed) A. F. Shelden, 
.Surgeon United States Vohm^ers. 



rilE ONE-AEMED MAN'S STORY. 

By T. IV. Myto7i. 

At Chancellorsville we formed line of battle in front of what 
was known as tlie Bullock House and were ordered to advance into 
tlie woods in front of us. 

The ground in the woods was deeply littered with fallen leaves, 
limbs and tree trunks. The trees were generally small, interspersed 
with saplings standing so thick that it was very difficult for heavily 
armed soldiers to get through them and preserve their alignment. 

We had gone some distance into the woods and I had just freed 
myself from being wedged between two small trees, when I observed, 
about ten or twenty feet in front of me, a white spot come suddenly 
on the trunk of a tree, and a second later, realized that it was a 
bullet mark. Immediately the air seemed full of bullets and one 
passing through the side of a small tree struck me on the right 
shoulder, cutting my knapsack strap about half oif, seriously bruising 
the flesh and slightly (putting the skin. The blow seemed seriou-: anl 
for a time I thought niy collar bone was broken. Just then ovdors 
came to lie down and fire. I turned to leave the line but thought 
I had better be sure I had sufficient excuse for going. I found no 
bones were broken and that my arm worked all right and I returned 
tv the front and began to fire. We had struck their line obliquely 
giving them a flank fire on us. The fire from the front wa.-s low 
but the fire from the angle was direct and deadly. 

Coming through the woods I was losing faith in myself beciiii>o 
of a certain nervousness and a disposition of my knees to knock to- 
gether, but now my gun came down steadily, and I observed tliat 
I was doing good shooting and began to be on better terms with 
myself. The distance was very short; not more than forty yards, 1 
think, and the fighting became fast and furious. In order to facili- 
tate rapid firing I did not return my rammer to the thembels l)ut laid 
it by my knee. This had continued for some time when as I turned 
my head to put a cap on the nipple of my gun, a rifle ball struck me 
in the lower part of my nose and through my upper lip. I put my 



836 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

hand to iny face and it felt as if my nose and upper lip were 
torn to shreads. I uttered a soldier's prayer and took up my gun 
to kill somebody but tbat benevolent enterprise was frustrate-d by tlie 
blood from my wound running into my mouth. I turned to leave 
the field and thought it was safer to creep under their fire than to 
attempt to walk through it, but the first step I took, a bullet passed 
through my left arm above the elbow shattering the bone, and 
I fell on my left side, fortunately, wdth my shoulders behind a 
small tree, into which two or three bullets stnick and bounced out 
against my side. I decided it was safer to lie where I was than to 
attempt to get out, and for what seemed to me a very long time, 
I lay there. The experience of that interval lying there fully exposed 
to that fire with the consciousness that any second might be my last, 
and fully expecting it, I shall never forget. It may be imagined 
but can never be described. 

After what seemed a long time the fire slackened about me and 
I looked up, our line was falling back. I saw Bob Cassidy (Big 
Bob) taking aim from side of a tree and making a very wry face as 
he prepared to shoot some one. I felt a drowsiness coming over me 
and passed into unconsciousness. I do not know how long I remained 
so, but when I became conscious again, the fighting was over 
and everything quiet. I rose to my feet and essayed to start to the 
rear, the first step I took I placed my foot in a pool of blood (pre- 
sumably my own) my foot slipped throwing me forward, drawing 
my knapsack violently over my bruised shoulder and setting my 
broken arm to swinging and the broken bones to grinding together. 
The pain was intense, beads of perspiration broke out on my face 
and I became totally blind, my knapsack seemed to be pulling me 
back, I had the sense of falling backward. I was in the "valley 
of the shadow" and alone. The thought came to me that if I fell 
I should die there, and with all the strength I had left I bent my 
foot forward until my knapsack was over my feet and waited, in 
total darkness. Presently I began to see by distorted vision, saw 
men as trees walking, but I waited patiently and after some time 
everything assumed its normal shape. Remembering the trouble 
with my knapsack I unslung it and lifting it from my left shoulder, 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 837 

passed it down gently over my broken arm and laid it on the ground. 
As it rested on the ground I observed at my feet and so near where 
I had lain that I could easily have laid my hand on his face, the 
body of Michael Flinn. His fair young face half buried in the 
brown dead leaves, apparently he had died in peace and without 
much pain. But this was not the time for sentiment or sorrow. I 
had but one chance to save my o^vn life and every hour that was be- 
coming more difficult. 

I gathered up my broken left arm across my breast and with 
my right hand under the elbow to sustain the weight, started for 
the rear. I had not gone far when I discovered that I had become 
very weak from the loss of blood, and would need rest frequently. 
A large tree in front some distance seemed to afford a good place 
t'l rest and I determined to rest behind it, when I reached it. There 
were still some shells being thrown into the woods by the Ccmfed- 
eiate batteries, and I felt like seeking the protection of a tree. I 
walked on for some time and then stopped to look for my tree. I had 
drifted down hill in my walk and was some yards to the left of my 
tree, but I could see behind it, and there resting behind it were two 
Confederate soldiers. 

This was an emergency I did not know how to meet. I was 
determined not to be captured if I could avoid it. I had in my 
blouse pocket a six-inch Colt's revolver, loaded. I let down my broken 
arm and raised the revolver in my pocket so that the handle 
was above my pocket where it could be readily grasped, then taking 
np my broken arm again and believing with Falstaff that ''discretion 
is of valor the better part," I changed my course so as to avoid them 
83 far as possible and saw and heard nothing more of them. My 
course fortunately brought me out at the point where the road crossed 
the Bullock farm. When I came out into the field I was surprised 
at the change that had taken place. There were now three lines of 
battle across this field. While we were fighting in the woods the 
Army had been brought back and a new line of defense formed. On 
my left our skirmish line was being driven out of the woods and 
all along our line the men seemed expecting an assault, I thought the 
rebel line of battle was approaching and I would be caught between 



838 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

tbem. I turned to seek refuge in the woods. Just then a cavalryman 
rode out of line in the road and said, "You can get through here 
and that house on the hill is a hospital." I passed through the lines 
and walked toward the house. Before I reached it I met Lieutenant 
Ehinehart, I think, of Oompan}'^ D, and two or three. of our men 
coming from the house, they said it was the Twelfth Corps Hospital, 
was full of wounded men and was being shelled, and that our 
regimental hospital was hut a short distance down the road. 

We went on together and soon came to the hospital at the foot 
of a little bank or hill ; here were a large number of wounded men 
of our Regiment, including Captain Bayard of our company. The 
Captain made some one who was uninjured surrender a comfortable 
scat to me, where I could lean against a tree. Surgeon Davis 
examined my arm quite carefully and said he thought the arm could 
be saved. Exhausted by my long walk I soon fell asleep and when 
I awakened the hospital had disappeared, I was alone, save the body 
of a soldier lying on a stretcher near by. I determined if possible 
to find the Second Corps Hospital and started on the ix)ad toward 
United States Ford. I walked until I became weary and sat down 
by the roadside to rest, and again fell asleep, from which I was 
awakened by an assistant surgeon who said he was gathering up the 
Avounded soldiers straggling in the rear of the Army and would 
send them to their hospital. He had a stretcher with bearers and 
insisted on carrying me off to one side of the road where he had 
gathered some others. There I remained until the sun was declining 
ih the west. 

When seeing no show of being sent anywhere I determined to 
try again to reach the Second Corps Hosj)ital and again took the 
road to the rear. I had not gone far until I was overtaken by a 
young soldier carrying his rifle, who insisted on helping me off the 
field, to him I finally gave my canteen and haversack and together 
we went down the road until we reached tlu^ rear guard. Here T 
was shown the Second (V>rps Hospital which was near by and he 
was sent back to his regiment. 

The hospital was a i)lace in the woods where a large number 
of the wounded iiicu of the corps wove brought together and where 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 839 

the surgeons had found enough rough boards at a saw mill nearby 
to make a temporary operating table, the men sitting or lying 
firound in the Avoods awaiting their turn. 

I Avas here but a short time when hospital attendants brought 
me a cup of beef tea, I was very hungry and asked for more but 
it could not be furnished. I saw that I would have to pass the night 
tliere and with a large knife I carried, I cut from some small pine 
trees enough limbs to make me a bed, but the night was chilly and 
I was uncomfortable until some one gave me a blanket. The next 
morning a number of surgeons looked at my arm and decided that 
it- would have to be amputated. Later Chaplain Stevens found me 
anjd after talking to me for some time, said, "I see you have a 
revolver and a pocketbook in your blouse pocket, and I suppose you 
have some money. You will be robbed if you keep these. If you 
will give them to me I will send them to you at the hospital soon 
after you get there," I gladly gave them to him and received them 
again two days after reaching the hospital at Potomac Creek. 

About noon the hospital steward came to me and said, ^'They are 
now ready for you." I walked to the table with him and lay down, 
he administered ether to me and after a while I became unconscious. 

After my first attempt to walk from the field I had carried my 
arm across my breast. The last sound I heard before losing con- 
sciousness was that of my arm falling from my breast to the boards 
beside me and the first thought that came to my mind on awakening 
was to lift it back again and when I opened my eyes the attendant 
was standing beside me laughing at my failure to catch my arm 
that had been cut off; I was trying to grasp it five or six inches 
below where it was cut off. 

I got up from the table and walked to the stretcher where my 
canteen and haversack had been left, and lay down. I looked at my 
left side, there where my good left arm had been was a short stump 
neatly bandaged. For the first time the full significance of my mis- 
fortune appeared to me and I covered my eyes with my sleeve, to 
hide the tears I did not care to show. 

I still had a desire to live and saw with delight some time 
after a long line of ambulances drive up. They seemed to be taking 



840 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

everybody but me, I became impatient, finally they came to me but 
the hospital steward said you cannot take him, he will have to be 
carried. I was again in despair, if I was to be carried how long 
would I have to wait, and if the Army fell back what would my 
chances be? 

ISTot long after however, four soldiers approached me and taking 
my stretcher on their shoulders, with frequent risk, carried me to a 
hospital tent on the bluff on the north bank of the Rappahannock, 
above United States Ford. 

In the evening a rain came up, such a rain as I had then never 
seen and such as I have never since seen. We nearly all got wet, 
and night coming on we were in a pitiable condition. Spencer Mc- 
Intyre of Company H was here on some detached duty and seeing 
uie in this condition, out of sympathy for me, gave me his blanket 
and I had a fairly comfortable night. Early in the morning we were 
told the Army was recrossing the river, we were given stretchers 
(utside where we could have the warmth of the sun, and where 
we could see the marching column. We watched carefully for the 
bright new flags of the 148th, and when they appeared we waved our 
caps above our heads. The signal was seen and two or three of the 
boys came over to see us. In the afternoon the ambulances came up 
and we were loaded in for a long rough ride. I was placed in an 
ambulance with a soldier of the 140th who had lost his right arm. 
The roads were the worst imaginable. The artillery and heavy trains 
had cut them up deeply, besides parts that had been corduroyed had 
been dragged together in heaps and over these the ambulances had to 
be driven. Fortunately we had a most careful driver. In the 
early evening it rained slightly, and the night became pitch dark. 

We arrived near General Couch's headquarters about ten o'clock 
and were given beef tea, and to each ambulance a hospital blanket. 
The night was spent in the ambulances and the next morning wo 
started for Potomac Creek over exceedingly rough roads and arrived 
there in the evening. Here we were washed, our wounds examined 
and dressed and were given clean cot beds to sleep on. The next 
day we were changed to other wards. The wound in my face was 
not serious yet painful, that on my left shoulder a mere bruise, and 




xSixMen 

O F 



Who Lost 
Each AN Arm 

.AT 

Chancellorsi/ille 



^-^»A//EL W. WoOORJK/(^ /^- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 841 

my arm had stood the rough journey very well. From the first 
day my wounds healed very rapidly, and I was soon able to walk 
about the grounds but I had not learned to balance myself and was 
inclined to walk in a circle. I had been in the hospital ten or 
twelve days when as I sat on the foot of my bunk eating my dinner, 
which on that day consisted of a slice of bread, a tin cup full of 
gravy, in whidi pickled pork had been boiled and a small \nvvo nf 
the pork. I heard a voice I knew inquire, "Is there a man named 
Thomas My ton here?" The nurse said, ''No, there is not," but I 
called out as loudly as I could, "Yes, there is," It was a friend 
(my brother-in-law) sent by my mother to find me and secure for 
me a furlough and take me home. I was greatly rejoiced to see him 
and to hear from home. In my confusion I invited him to dinner. 
He looked at my lay out and said, "I just came from Surgeon Hays 
of the 110th and have an invitation to dine with him. He men- 
tioned several good things we are to have specially, for dessert, 
peaches canned in brandy. As his invitation was first I believe I 
will accept it." 

After two or three days of earnest efi^ort, tramping around from 
regiment to brigade, from brigade to division, from division to 
corps and back again, a furlough of ten days was finally secured by 
my brother-in-law. It was to date from May 22d. 

Early in the morning of May 22d we left the hospital for 
Erook8 Station on foot and arrived there in time for the train to 
Acquia Creek when we got a boat for Washington, arriving there 
about 4 :00 p. m. As the boat approached the wharf I walked to the 
stern to avoid the crowd that rushed forward, a gentlemen standing 
there pointed to six small cannon lying on the wharf and said, "There 
are the guns of the Washington Light Artillery, captured at Maryo 
Heights a few days ago." We had intended to stop at Washington, 
but finding we could get a train for Harrisburg that evening con- 
cluded to go on. 

Seated on the train, as it was filling with passengers, I was 
greatly impressed with the music that is in a woman's voice. It 
was not a matter of sentiment or fancy but having heard nothing 
but the rough voices of men for so long a time, the finer, softer voices 



842 



THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



of women were music to my ear. Seated alone in a car seat I s^nk 
back in the soft velvet cushion and as we fle^v over the beautiful 
farms, bv the pleasant stately homes and flowering trees of the I)is- 
trict and Maryland away from the battlefield, the hospitals and 
desolation of Virginia, I was for the space of one short evening in 
Paradise and scarcely desired anything more. We arrived at Harris- 
burg that night, at my brother-in-law's home the next night and 
on Sunday morning May 24, 1863, I was at home with my mother 
in the quiet village of Manor Hill. 



PO RIVER AXI) SPOTSYLVAXIA. 



PART I. 



(The following memoranda, opening an article entitled "The 148th at Po 
River," were found among the papers of Maj. R. H. Forster.) 

From Todd's Tavern, where the Second Corps had been de- 
tained over the 8th of May to meet a demonstration of the enemy 
that threatened some danger to the rear of the Union Army, a march 
of a few hours, on the 9th, brought the Corps into position on the 
extreme right of the line facing the Confederate forces at Spotsyl- 
vania Court House. The line of march from Todd's Tavern trav- 
ersed a dense wood. Stately, towering trees, beautiful with the 
v(rdure of the early spring, covered the ground. There were ominous 
aiid gloomy recesses in that dark forest, but all was quiet as the 
weary column silently pursued its march, save such sounds as were 
occasioned by the rapidly repeated orders sent along the line by 
the commanding officers, the steady tramp, tramp of the soldiers, 
and the monotonous rumble of the artillery trains. It was a quiet 
and undisturbed march. Not so, however, the previous day. War- 
ren, with the Fifth Corps, had passed through the same wood and 
met wnth stout opposition. The road was not only obstructed by 
numerous barricades built with fallen trees, but Stuart, the alert 
and dashing chief of the Confederate cavalry, with a portion of his 
command, had placed himself across the path to bar the approach 
to Spotsylvania. Almost every tree concealed and sheltered a dis- 
mounted trooper, and the sharp crack of the rifle and the carbine 
told of the spirited resistance the wary Confederate was making 
to the efforts put forth to dislodge him. For hours he baffled the 
attempts of the cavalry that led Warren's advance to clear the road. 
Chafing under the delay thus forced upon him, Warren finally de- 
termined to take matters into his own hands. He promptly brought 
his infantry in front, and deployed several brigades to the right and 
left of the road, ordered a charo-e and succeeded in drivinc: the 



844 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Confederate's cavalry in headlong flight from their stronghold, though 
not without suffering considerable loss. The way, however, was 
opened and the march resumed. 

It was some time past noon of the 9th when the First Division 
of the Second Corps emerged from the wood and filed into place 
upon high, cleared ground overlooking the valley of the Po Hiver. 
From the position held by this part of the command there was a 
good view of the open country in immediate proximity to it, and it 
was not long until a Confederate wagon train was observed at some 
distance beyond the opposite bank of the river, slowly wending its 
way towards Spotsylvania Court House. The enemy did not appear 
t:. be present in any strength, and it was thought that by a rapid 
movement across the stream the train, or a portion of it, might be 
captured. After a brief consultation, it was determined to make 
the effort. For this purpose Brooke's Brigade was selected, and in 
a moment was in motion towards the river. Reaching the river bank, 
the 148th, with Colonel Beaver in command, was ordered to cross in 
advance. The stream at the point where the crossing was effected 
was not very wide, but was sluggish and of considerable depth. The 
men quickly dashed across and promptly fell into line under cover 
of the bank. Colonel Beaver then moved the Regiment a short 
distance down the stream, and with the energy and gallantry so 
characteristic of him at once made his dispositions for an advance 
upon the train. Six companies of the Regiment — three from the 
right and three from the left — ^were deployed as skirmishers, leaving 
the four center companies, with the colors, to 'act as a support to 
the skirmish line. When these dispositions were complete and all 
was ready for the forward movement, it was thought it might be 
a dangerous experiment to advance without a stronger support, and 
an order was received not to move until other troops were across 
and ready to follow the advance line. The delay caused by this 
order was unfortunate, as it enabled the entire wagon train to pass 
by in safety. In the meantime a battery of horse artillery that had 
accompanied the train wheeled into position on the road directly in 
front of the 148th, and paid its respects in a very lively and interest- 
ing manner. The fire was at short range, the aim accurate, and the 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 845 

shells came "thick and fast," but protected by the river bank, behin ; 
which the line was lying, very little damage was done, though 
the scene during the short time it lasted was decidedly spirited 
and exciting. Finally the clear tones of the bugle sounded the ad- 
vance, and the long line of skirmishers, led by Colonel Beaver in 
person, shot forth across the plain, with the hope at least of captur- 
ing tlie hostile and spiteful battery. This, however, was not ac- 
complished. A narrow country road, leading directly to the rear, 
gave the battery an avenue of escape, and when the line was half 
way to it, the guns were quickly limbered and run off at the gallop. 
The line pressed forward to the road upon which the wagon train 
had moved and was there halted to await the arrival of the supports 
which were still crossing the river. 

(The Story of Po River and The Salient is completed at request 
of the committee by extracts from the Editor's lecture on "Spot- 
sylvania," followed by three other short stories by other comrades.) 



846 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



PO RIVER AND SPOTSYLVAXIA. 



PART II. 

By J. W. Muffly, Late Adjutant 14.8th Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Fourth Brigade {Brooke) First Division (Barlow) Second Corps {Hancock). 

The battle of Spotsylvania Court House began on the 8th 
day of May, 1864, and ended on the 19th — the more important en- 
gagements being those of the 8th, 10th and 12th. It was the seeoii,d 
of the four bloody and indecisive conflicts between the veterans of 
Meade and Lee — the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Sheridan's Raid 
and Cold Harbor — leading events in what is designated in the Offi- 
cial Rebellion Records as "The Campaign from the Rapidan to the 
James." It stands No. 1,577 in Scribner's list of 2,261 battles. 

The battle of the Wilderness had ended on the 6th and on the 
7th orders were issued for the movement to Spotsylvania. 

Spotsylvania Court House is located on a ridge between the 
Ny and the Po Rivers which, with two other branches, the ]\lat and 
the Ta, by a curious geographical conceit, form the Mattapony. 

From the Wilderness to the Court House is ten miles, south- 
esjst. To Todd's Tavern is five miles, from Todd's to Spotsylvania 
five and from Spotsylvania to Fredericksburg twelve. 

There are three main roads from the Wilderness to Spotsylvania, 
all bearing southeast. These are the Piney Branch Road, the Brock 
Road, and the Shady Grove Road. 

The Catharpin Road running in a southwesterly direction from 
Piney Branch Church, intersects the Brock at Todd's and the Shady 
Grove at Shady Gi>>ve Churehja mile or less beyond Corbin's Bridge. 
The Block House or old Court House Road runs south from its 
junction with the Brock Road near Spindler's, crosses the Sliady 
Grove Road at the Block House, passes through the old Court House 
and crosses the Po a short distance below tlie latter. The Fredericks- 
burg Road runs from Spotsylvania northeast quite directly to the 
river. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 847 

The movement began on the night of the 7th. The trains 
had been started earlier, and Lee supposed his opponent was retreat- 
ing toward Fredericksburg. lie ordered Ai'derson, now commanding 
Longstreet's Corps, to move to Spotsylvania on the morning of the 
8th by the Shady Grove Road, but Anderson found the woods on 
fire, and on account of the discomfort and danger of a bivouac under 
such conditions, he pushed out at once and made a night march to 
his objective ix)int in advance of his orders. This accident gave Lee 
possession of the Court House. So say Grant and iruni|>hreys. 

At 8 :30 the Fifth Corps under Warren moved from its line, 
by the rear of the Second Corps, and marched by the Brock Road 
toward Spotsylvania. Sedgwick with the Sixth moved at the same 
time by the Piney Branch Road. He was at first ordered to move 
t the crossing of the Piney Branch and Brock Roads, but in the 
morning the orders were changed so as to require him to place one 
division at that point, one at Piney Branch Church, and the third 
half way between the two. Burnside followed Sedgwick and in the 
morning was ordered to halt at Aldrich's. Hancock followed Warren 
so far as Todd's Tavern. 

Meade and Grant, after seeing Warren under way, rode to Han- 
cock's headquarters on the Brock Road and about eleven o'clock pre- 
ceded Warren to Todd's. Gree'ff's and Merritt's cavalrv were at 
and near the Tavern without orders — Sheridan's orders not yet 
having reached them. At 1 :00 a. :\r. ]\leadc issued the following 



01 



ders 



'"Headquarters Army of the Potomac, Todd's Tavern, 

"May 8, 18G4, 1 :00 a. je. 
"General Torlx^rt or ]\Ierritt : You will immediately move your 
cf mmand beyond S})otsylvania Court House, placing one brigade for 
the present at the Block House, picketing the roads approaching the 
Court House, and disposing the other two so as to cover the trains 
that will be north of the Xy River, between that and the Orange 
Plank Road. It is of the utmost importance that not a moment's 
delay occur in your ()]HMiing the Bi'ock Road l)eyond Spotsylvania 
Court House, as an infantry corps is now on its way to occupy that 
place. 

''Gko. G. Meadk, 
"Major General Commanding." 



848 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Also, under similar bead and date the following to 

''Brigadier General Gregg, Commanding Second Cavalry Divi- 
sion: You will immediately move your division to the vicinity of 
Corbin's Bridge and watch all the roads approaching from Parker's 
Store, and as soon as General Hancock has occupied Todd's Tavern 
you will send a force on the Brock Road to notify General Hancock 
of the approach of the enemy." 

With like heading Meade wrote to Sheridan, as follows : 
"Major General Sheridan, Commanding Cavalry Corps: 1 
find General Gregg and Torbert without orders. They are in the 
way of the infantry and there is no time to refer to you. I have 
given them the enclosed orders which you can modify today after the 
ii;fantry are in position." 

General Sheridan's order was as follows : 

Headquarters Cavalry Corps Army of the Potomac, 
May 8, 1864, 1:00 a. m. 
Brigadier General Gregg, Commanding Second Cavalry Division, 

General: I am directed by the Major General commanding to 
instruct you to move with your command at 5 :00 a. m. on the 
Catharpin Poad crossing at Corbin's Bridge, and taking up position 
at Shady Grove Church, General Merritt, with the First Division, 
will follow you on the same road, and on arriving at Shady Grove 
Church, will take the left hand or Block House Iload, moving for- 
ward and taking up position on that point (via Block House). Im- 
mediately after he has passed, you will move forward with your 
Division on the same road to the crossing of the Po River, where 
yon will take np position, supporting General IMerritt. General 
Wilson, with his Division, will march from Alsop's by way of S]X)t- 
sylvania Court House and the Gate, to Snell's Bridge, where he will 
take up position. * * * The infantry marched to Spotsylvania 
Court House tonight, 

These slightly conflicting orders to the cavalry have had, it 
seems to me, more attention than they deserve. Badeau makes them 
the basis of a very severe criticism of Meade, claiming that his action 
in this matter gave Lee possession of the Court House. General 
Humphreys disposes of this charge in the 12th volume of the Scrib- 
ner Campaigns. Grant also refers to it as an "unfortunate change 
of orders," and Sheridan gives the incident several pages of em- 
phatic prominence in his memoirs. 

Merritt's cavalry moved out on the Brock Road toward S))ot- 
svlvania. and soon became eno-aocd with Fitzhuiili Lee's eavalrv. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 849 

Warren reached Merritt's headquarters, a mile east of Todd's, at 
3 :30 A. M. Cavalry fighting had been going on for some time, and 
Lee had felled trees and barricaded the road. At Merritt's request 
Warren attacked, thus opening the battle of Spotsylvania. This 
combined cavalry and infantry fight lasted Avell into the evening, 
was fought over the ground about Alsop's farm and in the surround- 
ing timber, and developed the fact that Anderson was in our front 
with Longstreet's Corps. At twelve-thirty General Warren reported 
that he had pushed back the enemy, but had not quite reached the 
crossing of the old Court Houso Road and that General Wright had 
joined him. Here the Corps entrenched their line which ran from 
two to four hundred yards from the enemy's, which was entrenched 
at the crossing of the Brock and Old Court House Roads, one and a 
half miles from Spotsylvania Court House. 

Grant at this time was at Piney Branch Church, and being 
anxious to crush Anderson before Lee could support him, ordered 
Sedgwick to join Warren, but Grant says Sedg"\vick was slow in get- 
ting \\\) — probably unavoidable — that it was near night before the 
combinwl forces were ready to attack. Warren reported at noon 
that Wright's Division had then come to his support. It was a hard 
fought battle with heavy losses on both sides. It was opened with 
the four divisions of the Fifth Corps on our part and l^ee's cavalry 
and Kershaw's Division of Longstreet's Corps. Field came up dui- 
ing the day and joined Kershaw. The fighting here determined the 
line? at this jx)int during the following days. 

Hancock reached Todd's at nine on the morning of the 8th, and 
relieved Gregg, whose cavalry was skirmishing with the enemy's 
ciivalrv in front of the Tavern. 

During the forenoon. Miles reconnoitered toward Corbin's and 
found Hampton's Cavalry on the other side of the river. Anderson 
marched by a road running south from his right at the Wilderness 
and entering the Catharpin Road between Todd's and Corbin's. He 
crossed at Corbin's aiul proceeded on the Shady Grove Road toward 
Spotsylvania, crossing the Po a second time on the bridge two and 
a half miles west of the Court House. He reached this bridge at 
davlififht on the 8th. Kershaw was in the advance and finding Fitz- 



850 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

liiigh Lee engaged, he turned off to the left with two brigades after 
crossing the bridge and went to the siipix)rt of Lee, followed a little 
later bv Field's Division. The rest of the Corps proceeded to the 
Conrt House and helped drive out Wilson's Cavalry. 

Ewell moved by way of Parker's Store and probably by a road 
leading into the Shady Grove Road at the Church. Early was to 
move by the Brock Road but on attempting to enter the Catharpln 
Road by a cross road leading into it between Todd's and the Church, 
he encountered cavalry videttes, and throwing Mahone's Division for- 
ward he struck Miles' Brigade and was twice repulsed. Finding u? 
in possession of the Brock Road, Early took the Shady Grove Road 
to Spotsylvania, and early on the morning of the 9th he was in posi- 
tion close to and east of the Court House. 

Meantime Burnside moved from Aldrich's to Sayles House on 
the Frederickburg-Spotsylvania Road thence toward the Court 
House, crossing the Ny at Gayles House, one and a half miles from 
S^wtsylvania. Both Armies were now in position and entrenched- 
Long-street's Corps under Anderson formed Lee's left. The left of 
this corps rested on the Po op}X)site Warren's right, about one-third 
of a mile above the bridge. From this point to the Brock Road the 
line was held by Field's Division. From the Brock Road northeast 
for half a mile, entering the open ground of Harrison's farm, the 
line was held by Kershaw, whose right extended beyond Warren's 
left. 'Next came E well's Corps, Rodes' Division holding the line 
running half a mile nearly north to what was afterward the Bloody 
Angle, Rodes' right held by Dole's Brigade. Thence the line ran 
nearly east for four hundred yards along the edge of the woods witli 
the open ground of Brown's and Landron's farms in front. Tt ter- 
minated in a high, open point which, Ewell says, if held by the 
enemy, would have commanded the line. Six or eight gnus were in 
position at this angle. The liiu^ turned from this point and ran 
nearly south for over six hundred yards. Johnson's Division of 
Ewell's CVjrps held tliis part of the line with brigades in order fol 
lowing: On Dole's right, Walker (Stonewall), then York's (Staf- 
ford), Terry (Jones) and Steuart. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 851 

Continiiing southward the line was held by Hill's Corps 
(Early) to a point south of the Fredericksburg Road. The intreneh- 
ments on this side were afterward extended southward to Snell's 
Bridge 011 the Po. Also on the enemy's left the lines were extended 
a mile west of the Po on high open ground of the Graves farm, cov- 
ering the Shady Grove Road. The east bank of the Po was also in- 
trenched to hold the crossing. From Hill's left, across the Salient, 
a second line w^as intrenched running to the left of Ramseur's Bri- 
gade. It was occupied by General Gordon until it was found that 
we could enfilade it, when he was placed in reserve in the Salient. 
This Salient was a mile in exteiit north and south and about half a 
mile east and west. 

Meade's Army was formed to meet Lee's dispositions, with 
Hancock on the right on high ground overlooking the Po, and the 
Shady Grove Road to the south. IvText came Warren's Fifth Corps, 
Sedgwick with the Sixth and one division — Mott's of Hancock's 
Corps — and on the extreme left, Burnside. 

The 9th was a day of rest. The Fifth and Sixth Corps cor- 
rected their lines and strengthened their intrenchments. General 
Sedgwick was killed by a sharpshooter at the right of his corps at 
a point where the forks of the road in Alsop's field unite. He was 
in company with General McMahon, his chief of staff, who had in- 
sisted that he should not expose himself to the fire of the sharp- 
shooters. During a movement of a few men to the right there was 
a scattering fire from the enemy, causing some of the men to dodge, 
at which the General laughed and said, ''What, what, men, dodging 
like this for a few bullets ? What will you do when they open all 
along the line i! They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance." 
General ]\IcMahon continues, ''A few seconds later, a man wlio liad 
been sep'.arated from his regiment passed in fr(Uit of the General, and 
at the same moment a sharpshooter's bullet passed, and the soldier 
dodged to the ground. The General touched him gently and said, 
'Why, I am ashamed of you, dodging that way ! They couldn't hit an 
elephant at that distance." The man rose, saluted, and said, good- 
naturedly, ^'Well, General, I dodged a shell once and saved niv head. 
I believe in dodging." The General laughed, and said, "All right, 



852 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

my man, go to jour place." Then for a third time, says McMahon, 
the same shrill whistle, closing with a dull stroke, interrupted our 
talk when, as I was about to resume, the General's face turned 
slowly toward me, the blood spurting from his left cheek under the 
eye in a steady stream. He fell in my direction, so close to me that 
1 could not support him, but fell with him." The death of Sedgnvick 
was a great loss to our Army. He was a commander of very solid 
worth, and was highly regarded by his associates, with much the 
same kind of esteem as that accorded to General Thomas in the West. 
They were men of very similar character. 

In consequence of certain indications of a movement by Lee 
toward Fredericksburg, Hancock was directed to examine the Po 
on his front, with a view to crossing it, and turning the enemy's 
left. Accordingly, on the evening of the 9th, the three divisions ot 
Birney, Barlow and Gibbon crossed the Po at different points be- 
tween Tinders and the sharp turn of the river, above the bridge. 
Barlow was in the advance, Brooke's Brigade leading, and Beaver 
with our 148th was the first to cross. This was probably in the 
vicinity of the Chewning Place. We crossed on a fallen tree, many 
of the men wading through the stream, and pushed forward, as 
described by Major Forster, driving the enemy's battery and getting 
possession of the cross roads between the river and (ilady's Run. 
We were now in a very delicate position. As Grant says, across the 
left flank of Lee's Army, but separated from it and from the remain- 
der of Meade's Army by the Po River. We pushed along rai>idly 
on the Block House Road toward the bridge, ex}>ecting to make the 
second crossing in tlie night. This was found to be impracticable, 
;ind tbo command bivouacked in Avoods near Waite's Shop. An ex- 
amination of the wooden bridge at dawn of the 10th showed the 
enemy in such force and perfect comnumd of the bridge and aji- 
proaches, as to prevent our crossing. Brooke then moved down the 
river, and crossed at a ]X)int about half way between the bridge and 
the mouth of Glady's Run. From this point a reconnoitering force 
under Lieutenant Colonel Hamill, G6th New York, discovered the 
enemy's line in strong works, with infantry and artillery. This 
movement disturbed Lee, niul lie sent two divisions of Hill's Corps 



\ 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 853 

to meet him. Mahone's Divisiou moved to tlie river bank on Field's 
left, while Heth came up on the Waite Shop Road, and attacked us 
from that point. Meantime, it had been determined to make an 
assault at Laurel Hill in front of Warren's position, near Alsop's, 
and Hancock was ordered to move two divisions back to take part in 
the attack, he to bo in command of the entire body. Hancock began 
the withdrawal of his division, just at the time when Heth's attack 
was im]iendino-. Gibbon and Birney at once re-crossed, leaving 
Barlow to hold tlie south side of the river alone. It was not desigTied 
to bring on a 1)attle at that pi)int, and orders were issued for the 
withdrawal of all the force on the south side. We had in the mean- 
time, as I remember, fallen back from our second crossing, and were 
in position in front of the road, and between it and the Po. Miles 
and Smith were withdrawn, leaving, as the reports claim, the bri- 
gades of Brooke and Brown, bnt we saw nothing of the latter. Then 
followed an episode of war of thrilling interest to a single regiment, 
some of the details of which were either unknown to, or were ig- 
nored by, the general officers in their official reports. 

The l-lSth Pennsylvania had occupied a dozen or more different 
positions during the day, and late in the afternoon, was formed 
behind a line of light breastworks facing from the river. We were 
ordered to leave these works, and form on the other side of the road, 
in the edge of the rindier skirting the river bank. This was the last 
order we received that day. At that time we knew nothing of the 
general movements, did not know why we were thrown across the 
river, n(n' why wo had retreated, and we never got any order from 
anybody to withdraw from that position. We had skirmishers in 
our front, and in a very few minutes after our last change of posi- 
tion, they fell back and were followed by the enemy's line of battle. 
We held our fire until the skirmish line was clear of our front, and 
the enemy were emerging from the woods, distant only the width of 
a wagon road, when we opened with a volley. The}" at once replied, 
and the fight began. They soon observed the works we had left, and 
deliberately filing in behind them, continued to fight us from our 
own works. This battle began at abont three in the afternoon, and 
lasted about two hours. • We lost twentv killed, one hundred and 



854 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

tliirtv-five wounded and twelve missing. So far as we could see, wc 
were the only regiment left on that side. In all the long bloody 
hours of that useless battle, no orders reached us. It seemed 
that a single regiment was left to fight two divisions of Hill's Corps. 
The fight went on until we had fired our last cartridge. Our men 
were falling like game before hunters, and still no relief and no 
orders. Beaver could stand it no longer. Calling me to his side, he 
said, ''Adjutant, we can not stand this. You go swing the right 
back while I hold the left and, we will retire down the ravine. I 
will take the responsibility of withdrawing my Regiment without 
orders.'' So we made good our retreat, gathering up our dead and 
wounded as we went toward the river, and as we were about to cros*, 
Beaver looked back at the procession of stretcher bearers with their 
burdens, and said with tears in his eyes, "Oh, my brave boys ! What 
a pity." 

During this battle the Avoods took fire, which spread rapidly, 
and became a serious factor in the situation, although I do not re- 
member that any casualties resulted, but it choked, blinded and stifled 
us to a most exasperating extent. Just on our left was a section of 
AriKild's Battery. When they started to withdraw it, one of the 
teams became unmanageable and dragged the gun between two trees, 
where it was wedged so tightly that all efforts were unavailing to ex- 
tricate it, and it had to be abandoned — the first gun ever lost by the 
Second Corj)s. I suppose that as a matter of fact, it was assumed 
that all the troops had crossed the river before we became engaged 
rlic hist time, and were thus abandoned to our fate. 

General Hancock's re])ort relating to our battle of the 10th on 
the Po says : 

"The combat now Ix'came close and bloody. The enemy 
in vastly sujx'rior numl)ors flushed -sWth the anticipation of an easy 
victory, appeared to he determined to crush the small force opposed 
to them, and pressing forward with loud yells, forced their way 
close up to our line, delivering a terrible musketry fire as they ad- 
vanced. Our brave troops again resisted their onset witli undaunted 
resolution. The fire along our whole line was so continuous and 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 855 

deadl}' that the enemy broke and retreated in the wiklest confusion, 
leaving the gronnd strewed with their dead and wounded. During 
the heat of this contest, the woods on our right and rear took fire. 
The flames approached close to our line rendering it almost impos- 
sible to retain the position longer. During the lull in the fight 
Barlow had directed Brooke and Brown to abandon the position and 
retire to the nortli bank. Their right and rear enveloj^ed in the 
burning woods^ their front assailed by overwhelming numbers, the 
withdrawal was attended with extreme difficulty and peril, but the 
movement was commenced at once, the men displaying such coolness 
and steadiness as are rarely exhibited in the presence of dangers so 
appalling. It seemed, indeed, that these gallant soldiers were de- 
voted to destruction. The enemy again advanced, but were promptly 
checked by our troops who fell back through the burning woods with 
admirable order and deliberation, though in doing so, many of them 
were killed and wounded, numbers perishing in the flames. I feel 
that T cannot speak too highly of the bravery, soldierly conduct and 
discipline displayed by Brooke's and Brown's Brigades on this occa- 
sion. Attacked by Heth's entire division, they repeatedly beat him 
back, holding their ground with unyielding courage until they were 
ordered to withdraw. Col. James A. Beaver, 148th Pennsylvania, 
and Lieut. Col. D. L, Strieker, 2d Delaware, are particularly men- 
tioned by Colonel Brooke for marked service and conspicuous cour- 
age." 

The only operation on the 11th was a reconnaissance by Mott 
TO find a weak place in Tree's line. Grant wrote to Halleck his fa- 
mous "fight it out on this line" message. He said in part : 

"We have now ended the sixth day of very hard fighting. The 
result up to this time is very much in our favor. We have lost to 
this time eleven general officers killed, wounded and missing, and 
probably 20,000 men. I think the loss of the enemy must be 
greater, we having taken over four thousand prisoners in battle. I 
am now sending back to Belle Plaine all my wagons for a fresh 
supply of provisions and ammunition, and purpose to fight it out on 
this line if it takes all summer." 

The night of the 11th of May was a type of the meanest of 
Virginia weather. We had made ourselves as comfortable as pos- 
sible, and were sleeping away the fatigues of the campaign, when I 
was roused up by an Orderly from headquarters, with marching 
orders, and at ten o'clock on that miserable night, under guidance 



856 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

of Major Mendell, or Captain Morgan, of the engineers, we set out. 
The darkness was inky and impenetrable. The drizzling ram 
drenched iis, and the mud was discouraging, yet withal there -was a 
feeling of mystery in the movement that was inspiring. I think no 
one except the guides had any idea of our direction or destination. 
We were ordered to preserve the utmost silence. Coffee cans and 
accoutrements were to be so secured as to prevent rattling. So in 
silence and darkness we plodded wearily onward, until after mid- 
night. Upon halting, the troops were formed in double column, 
closed in mass, and ordered to rest. All horses were sent to th(> 
roar. The point of our formation was near the Brown House. We 
felt, rather than saw, that Ave were in a ravine or depression, and 
spreading our ponchos, lay down and slept. I never knew how i 
was awakened, but on rising from my bivouac, I found every one 
else doing likewise. This was at four o'clock in the morning of 
Thursday, May 12th. On reporting to Colonel Beaver, he said, 
"You will say to each company commander that we are about to 
charge the enemy's works. There will be no firing, the men will 
march in at right shoulder shift." In all of this, from the begin- 
ning of our night march, not a loud word had been spoken, and at 
four-thirty we heard all along the line, in a hoarse whisper, the 
single word, "Forward !" and the Second Corps stepped off as one 
man. We were about twelve hundred yards from the enemy's line 
and as the light improved, we could see, in our front, a considerable 
ascent, partly wooded, but with about four hundred yards of clear- 
ing, extending up to the works in front of the Landrum Hiouse. Just 
at the edge of our bivouac was a bit of a brook with marshy banks. 
Brooke's and Miles' Brigades of Barlow's Division were in front on 
the open ground. Brown's and Smytho's Brigades in the second line, 
all in double column on the center, Birney's Division on Barlow's 
right in two deployed lines, Mott in roar of Birnov and Ciblxm in 
reserve. So we started, an almost solid rectangular mass of twenty 
thousand men. Firmly, steadily we moved forward, with jx^rfcct 
alignment, and as the dawning day lifted the fog, we soon saw, 
frowning in our front the terrible Salient which w(^ proposed to 




I 






THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 857 

capture. At a distance of three lumdred yards we marched over the 
enemy's pickets, wlio were so astounded upon seeing us emerge from 
the fog that they never fired a shot, nor, of course, did Ave. But on 
reaching the picket reserve at Landrum's, about half way, we re- 
ceived a fire which killed Colonel Strieker and several others. 

A regiment was sent to disperse this reserve and the column 
passed on. The ground was open and rolling from Landrum's and 
we dashed over it in fine style, in full view of the formidable works 
in our front. They were indeed formidable ! Located upon a pro- 
jecting and commanding point, covered with large oak trees, it had 
been fortified with consummate skill and immense labor. The great 
oaks had been felled, the logs piled up breast-high and the red Vir- 
ginia claj' thrown up on either side, forming a solid embankment 
twelve feet wide at the base and four at the parapet. Behind this 
embankment traverses had been constructed, running backward for 
some distance at right angles to the main line. We met but little fir- 
ing until within about three hundred yards when the impetuous 
Irish Brigade set up a wild cheer and the enemy immediately 
opened a tremendous fire of musketry from a part of their line. But 
nothing could now stop our advance. Our men rushed up to the 
works, tearing away the abatis with their hands and poured in like 
a great wave, driving out the Confederates pell mell with clubbed 
nuiskets and bayonets, capturing twenty guns and about four thou- 
sand prisoners, being nearly the whole of the celebrated Stonewall 
Brigade, together with Major Gen. Edward Johnson and Brig. Gen. 
George H. Steuart. Some little delay in our entrance was caused 
by the long stream of prisoners passing out through our lines to the 
rear. Just here and while our Regiment was hotly engaged, a Con- 
federate officer pushed through the struggling troops and approach- 
ing Colonel Beaver said : 

"I would like to surrender to an officer of rank. I am General 
Steuart." 

''What," exclaimed Colonel Beaver, "are you 'Jeb' Stewart ?" 

"No," he replied, "I am Geo. H. Steuart." 

Said Beaver, "I will accept your surrender. Where is your 
sword, sir ?" 



858 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

''Well, sah," answered Steuart, in a melancholy tone of regret 
with a tinge of the comic, "you all waked us up so early this mawn- 
in' that I didn't have time to get it on." 

A few Avords passed between the officers, Beaver telling hiui 
that he could not remain there, when a little Corporal of the Irish 
Brigade, catching the situation, stepped up smartly, touched his 
cap and said, "I'll take care uv 'im, Colonel." "Take him to Gen-^ 
eral Brooke," said Beaver, and off went the little Corjwral to the 
rear, proud of his big trophy. On his way to the rear he met 
Major Mitchell, of Hancock's staff, and shouted to him, "Major 
Mitchell, here is a rebel Gineral." Mitchell took his name and rank 
and directed a Captain of the 53d Pennsylvania to conduct him to 
General Hancock. When Steuart was taken to the General, the^ 
latter, who had known him before the War, held out his hand and 
said, very kindly: 

"How are you, Steuart?" 

The latter replied, "Under the circumstances, I must decline 
to give you my hand." 

Quick as a flash, the great commander retorted, "Under any 
other circumstances. General Steuart, I should not have offered 
mine." 

But we were going in at the Salient. We had carried the first 
line of works and nothing could stop the men. Barlow's and Bir- 
ney's Divisions had entered almost at the same moment striking the 
works at a sharp angle immediately in front of the Landrum house. 
The enemy fled in great disorder and confusion. Accustomed as 
we were, to scenes of blood and carnage, the spectacle inside the in- 
trenchments Avas sickening. The ghastly faces of the dead and their 
mangled bodies piled in the traverses bore aAvful testimony to the 
deadly effect of our rifles and bayonets. But horrible as it Avas, it 
only proved a prelude to the aAvful horror of the next morning, after 
the all-day conflict that followed the charge. We pursued the flying 
enemy through the forest toAvard the Court House until we struck 
the second line. Here Ave met Gen. J. B. Gordon's Division. His 
division had been put in reserve as support to the other troops and 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 859 

lie was in position near tlie McCoiill House. He moved up promptly 
and helped in a great measure to check our advance. 

The assault and pursuit had, of course broken up our formation 
and the troops were so mixed up that hardly two men of the same 
regiment were together. Hancock ordered up his reserves to occupy 
the captured line. Lee rallied his forces and was determined to 
lead them in person. General Gordon and many others gathered 
about him and remonstrated. Gordon says he took hold of the bridle 
of Lee's horse, while the men shouted, "General Lee to the rear," and 
he reluctanctly yielded. 

Heavy re-enforcements were brought against us at the second 
line and we were obliged to retire to the line captured in the morn- 
ing. Wright's Corps came up at six o'clock and occupied the cap- 
tured works on the right of the Salient. The enemy now attacked 
us with the utmost fury determined to regain the position held by 
the Sixth Corps. The Second Corps held to the left of the Sixth 
Avith divisions in order — Mott, Gibbon, Birney, Barlow. The fight- 
ing now became desperate — our troops on the outside, theirs on the 
inside of the intrenchments, hand to hand, close quarters, the battle 
raged. Words can give no adequate idea of the dreadful sanguinary 
conflict. Hour after hour, all day long men grappled over the 
works in bloody struggle. They fired their guns full in each other's 
faces. They lunged at each other with bayonet thrust. They leaped 
upon the works and fired down among the maddened crowd on the 
other side. They grappled in mortal combat to wrest flags from eacii 
other. They held their guns overhead and shot downward into the 
enemy. Hour after hour, all day long, they fought like demons. It 
was a literal saturnalia of blood. It was grim visaged war in full 
panoply of horror. And all day long the rain fell and the ground 
was drenched with mingled blood and water. At eight o'clock Wright 
sent to Hancock for re-enforcements and our Brigade, although it 
had been in the heat of battle from dawn and had been withdrawn 
to reform and replenish ammunition, was sent over and relieved the 
brigade of Wheaton. There we fought until the ammunition was 
again exliausted. Hancock meantime had placed artillery on the 
high ground at Landrum's whence it fired over us into the enemy's 



860 THE SrORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

position. A section of Gilliss' Battery, Fifth United States, was 
pushed up close to our line and fired canister into the enemy. A 
section also of Brown's First Rhode Island took position on the left 
and with carriage wheels sank half way in the soft mud, poured its 
death-dealing charges into the Confederate works. This is said to be 
the only instance of artillery taking part in a charge. Gilliss' Bat- 
tery had to be Aviuhdrawn on account of its terrible losses. Lieuten- 
ant Metcalf and Lieutenant Gilliss were the only ones who got out 
sound, out of twenty-three men and one officer. Seven were killed, 
sixteen wounded, every horse was killed and the gun carriages were 
so splintered and shattered as to be useless. This terrific combat 
ended only with the day, the Confederates retiring to their second 
line, leaving us in possession of the Salient. The firing did not en- 
tirely cease until three o'clock next morning. While 1 have thus 
gi^■en somewhat in detail the operations on the north line nf the 
Salient, it is to be kept in mind that during all of the day, Warren 
on our right and Burnside on the left were pressing the battle on 
tlieir respective fix)iits so that all the way i-ound from Alsop's Farm 
to tlie crossing of the Fredericksburg Road, the fierce battle raged 
throughout the long day. Burnside pressed up to the very parapet 
and some of the troops got over, but could not remain. He drew th(- 
fire of the enemy at four-thirty in the morning and at five was hotly 
engaged. He carried two detached lines of rifle pits and a part of 
the main line. 

The capture of the Salient at Spotsylvania is justly regarded 
as one of the most brilliant episodes of the War. Beginning with 
the daylight assault, the battle continued all through the day and 
until late in the night. The net results were — the capture of an 
aj)iiarently impregnable positimi, four thousand prisoners, ineludin:; 
two general officers, and the celebrated "Stonewall Brigade" almost 
entire, twenty guns with horses, caissons and material complete, sev- 
eral thousand stand of small arms and upward of thirty flags. Pass- 
ing over tlie ground inside the works next day 1 was able to appre- 
ciate the full measure of its horrors. [ shrink from tlio attempt to 
descril)e the scene. It was a ghastly and horrible example of tlie 
organized brutality that we call war. Xo langniage can adequately 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 861 

portray the sickening si>ectacle. iniagine, if yon can, a line of in- 
trenchment fonr hnndred yards in lengtli — a solid wall of timber 
and earth forming its front, with traverses extending at short in- 
terval? to the rear forming eight or ten pen-like enclosnres half filled 
with dead and dying men. They lay in piles sometimes five meii 
deep. Often the dead were lying npon the mortally wounded who 
groaned in their death agony and begged for water and prayed for 
death. Bodies hnng npon the works in every form of mangling. 
Blood and mangling were everywhere and the sickening stench of 
the battlefield was over it all. I saw there the famons '^Spotsylvania 
tree" — a sonnd growing white oak twenty-two inches in diameter 
that liad been whittled off splinter by splinter by musket balls to 
within a few inches of the center so that it fell during the night in- 
juring ijcveral men of the 1st N^orth Carolina Regiment. The 
stmnj) of this tree is preserved in the Smithsonian Institute at Wasb- 
ington — probably the most marvelous silent witness to the deadly 
effect of musketry fire to be found anywhere in the world. 

I do not know how it may be with others, but I confess 
that as I recall these scenes now after the lapse of forty years, 
I sometimes dwell more upon the horrors of war than upon 
its glories. Then we thought little of danger, wounds or death. 
AVe were under the spell of the martial spirit. Like Messala in Ben 
Hur our m^otto was "Down Eros — ^up Mars." As the glorious old 
Second Corps swung across the rolling grounds from Bro^vn's to the 
charge, we thought only of the splendor of the movement and the 
glory of the victory. And it was a brilliant and a brave thing under 
a brilliant and a brave leader. Ko man more brave, able, safe, 
dashing, chivalrous and knightly could have been chosen from all 
the Armies of the Union to lead that audacious daylight assault, than 
the superb commander of the Second Army Corps — ^Winfield S. 
Hancock. It is not too much to say that he was the ''knight of the 
nineteenth century." In his person he was an Apollo; in his bear- 
ing he was knightly. He was the finest figure on horseback in either 
Army. In his physical and mental make-up, he combined all genu- 
ine soldierly qualities. In him there was a eombinatioii of military 
traits rarely given to one man. Courago with coolness, dash with 



862 THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 

discretion, intuition with judgment, a sunny geniality witli a manly 
dignity. He commanded without tyranny and he obeyed without ob- 
sequiousness. He was magnetic and magnanimous. He was the in- 
carnation of war and the embodiment of patriotism. He had no 
ambition but to serve his country. He ne\"er sought promotion. He 
used no pull for his personal advancement. He was altogether an 
admirable and lovable personality. He richly earned the appella- 
tion, Hancock — Superb. Grant, always fair, but never flattering, 
careful and moderate in his language, says in his memoirs, written 
in the oool retrospect of twenty years : "Hancock stands the most con- 
spicuous figure of all the general officers who did not exercise a separ- 
ate command. He commanded a Corps longer than any other one and 
his name was never mentioned as having committed in battle a blun- 
der for which he was responsible. He was a man of very conspicu- 
ous personal appearance. Tall, well-formed at the time of which I 
now write, young and fresh looking, he presented an appearance that 
would attrack the attention of an army as he passed. His genial dis- 
position made him friends and his personal courage and his presence 
with his command in the thickest of the fight won for him the con- 
fidence of the troops serving under him. N^o matter how hard the 
fight, the Second Corps always felt that their commander was look- 
ing after them." 

There are preserved in the Official Rebellion Records more 
than two hundred and fifty field orders and messages issued on this 
field on the 11th and 12tli and there may be as many more not so 
preserved. 

During our fight on the Po, I received a very painful v:ound 
and started to the rear. Sergeant Breon and another man followed 
me to offer assistance. An examination showed that the wound was 
not serious and we all started back to the line and presently met Cor- 
poral Geo. W. Steffey coming down the ravine pale and reeling with 
a bullet hole through the center of his breast. Turning him around, 
wo found another in the center of his back. He had been shot 
straight through the body. I told the men to take him off and I re- 
turned to the line. I supposed he was dead, of course, but in the 
following October, when serving on the brigade staff, I had occasion 



THE 148TH PENNSYLF^NU VOLUNTEERS 863 

to visit the Regiment and on approaching the beat, a Corporal who 
had relieved the sentinel, saluted me and as I acknowledged the sa- 
lute, I recognized Corporal Steffey. Dismounting, I told him to 
put down his gun and shake hands, saying, "Why George, aren't you 
dead." "No," he said, "I had a close call, was sent to general hos- 
pital at Washington, the surgeons gave me up, but I pulled through." 
He served to the end and several years after the end of the War 
I received a letter from a pension attorney in Michigan saying 
Steffey was living there, suffering from his wound and badly broken 
down. That he was unable to get the required evidence for a pension 
and thought I might remember the circumstance of his injury. 1 
replied, saying I remembered the incident perfectly and would be 
glad to make the affidavit, which I did and have heard no more of the 
case. 

As a counterpart to this was the case of Captain Core, the brave 
commander of Company K, who, in the same action, received a slight 
wound and died of lock jaw in less than a week. 

The gallant little Captain Cooke, of Company H, stood close by 
my side directing the fire of his company when he sprang three feet 
into the air and fell mortally wounded. 



864 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



PO ELVER. 



PART III. 

By I. N. Sloan. 



May Oth at 12 :00 m. we marched about three miles, from 
Todd's Tavern to near Spotsylvania Court House on the Po River 
and threw up breastworks. At 5 :00 p. m. we forded the river, our 
Regiment in the advance, and as we crossed deployed as skirmishers, 
ajul marching by the right flank, advanced, driving a horse battery 
from the hill about a quarter of a mile from where we crossed. 
There were six or seven wounded. Wie advanced half a mile far- 
ther and lay in line of battle all night. 

May 10th, K was on the skirmish line in the forenoon. About 
4 :30 p. M. the enemy advanced with a strong force, driving our 
skirmishers back. Our line of battle also fell back in rear of our 
own breastworks, letting the rebs shelter themselves behind our 
works. We made a stand till our ammunition was expended, our 
Regiment losing heavily in the action. The right of the Regiment 
was on a line about parallel with that of the enemy, the width of a 
road separating them. The left wing was swung back to conform 
to the edge of the woods in which the Regiment was stationed. This 
caused a part of the left to be enfiladed. The rebs were also in the 
woods. I was not aware that evening of the utter loneliness of our 
situation while under fire, but the next evening wrote: 

''In the action of yesterday our Regiment held an entire di- 
\-isi()n, said to be Heth's, at bay while the rest of our Division re- 
crossed the river." 

^ly guess as to Heth's Division — if such it was — is confirmed 
by General Early, whom Gen. A. A. Humphreys quotes in reference 
to this action. According to both Early and IIum]>hreys it was tlic 
Shady Grove Road on wliicli we were engaged, though General Han- 
cock calls it tiie Block House Road. There is no contradiction 
though, as according to Humphreys' ma]i, Sliady Grove Church and 
P>lock House arc connected bv tliis rond. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 865 

111 falling back to our last position I passed close by the end 
of the works, and firmly believe tliat the end was a little to the left 
front of the colors. They were close to the Shady Grove Road. 
At the reunion no one but myself referred to the broken line formed 
by the Regiment, but I give the following reasons for my belief : 
First, I remember of some confusion in the left in breaking back to 
form on the edge of the woods ; second, I was with the colors and am 
certain there was an angle made, the colors being right in the angle 
with Company F breaking away to the left; third, when my ammu- 
nition was exj)ended I went nearly straight back till I came to the 
second angle where I found a severely wounded man of our Regi- 
ment, who gave me permission to take cartridges from his cartridge 
box, when I returned to my place at the center of the Regiment, tlius 
passing along that part of the line between the angles twice; fourth, 
having a number of times since the War written accounts of that 
battle for publication or explained it from blackboard illustrations 
made bv myself, the same impression has always remained with me. 



866 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



PO RIVEE. 
PART IV. 

y. U'esley Allen, Assistant Surgeon 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

I was detailed to accompany the Regiment into action at Po 
liiver and as they advanced I also followed up, having crossed the 
river on foot log. I was ordered as far as an old honse to the left of the 
road and beyond which I saw breastworks which had been occupied 
by our troops. This was in the afternoon and I j^^dge near four 
o'clock. There were no troops in sight but on my left and what I 
look for south was firing. Assistant Surgeon Richards, of the 145th 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, was in advance of me behind these breast- 
works and called for me to advance as there were no troops around. 
Shortly afterwards General Brooke came' along with an Aide and 
asked me what I was doing there. He said, "Get over the river at 
once. There is no one here but your Regiment holding the retreat." 
He rode on anci m about twenty minutes after my nuin carrying the 
hcspital knapsiack, Dan Mcllliattan, said, "Doctor, look there are 
the Johnnies," and sure enough they were coming through the woods 
thick. They took Doctor Richards to Richmond and Wc went over 
the river in the nick of time. I dressed a number of wounded at 
this point and sent for more supplies to division hospital. Dr. Chas. 
Spayd, of the 53d Pennsylvania Volunteers, and myself were at 
this time the only medical officers at this point. The woods were 
(ui fire on my left, the Johnnies on the right. 




LIEUT. JAMES E. McGARTNEY 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 867 



PO KTVER AND SPOTSYLVANIA. 



PART V. 

By Lietit. James E. McCartney. 

At Po River our Regiment was almost sacrificed in covering 
the retreat of the Brigade. When we reached the river bank, pur- 
sued by Heth's Division, Colonel Beaver commanded "About face 
and commence firing" and it Avas one of the best executed move- 
ments I ever saw. 

Adjutant Muffly will remember the incidents of our final with- 
drawal, as he and I came off together. I was near Captain Core 
when he received the wound that proved fatal. He was too brave 
and exposed himself more than he should have done, knowing the 
proximity of the enemy's sharpshooters. 

After the charge on the Salient on the 12th the Regiment ran 
out of ammunition and Sergeant Herman Miller, of Company H, 
and I went back to a New Jersey regiment and they gave us all we 
could carry in hats and pockets. We took them to the Regiment and 
Miller kept on going back and forth carrying ammunition. He was 
a brave fellow and risked his life on every trip. 

I certainly think Spotsylvania was our hardest fight. I remem- 
ber talking with Adjutant Muffly just afterward when he said that 
out of seven hundred and twenty- two muskets when we broke camp 
May 1st we had lost at Po River and Spotsylvania two hundred ano' 
four killed, wounded and missing. 

We were trying to find Lieutenant McGuire who had been 
wounded — mortally as it proved — and passing the field hospital we 
saw great piles of arms and legs which the surgeons had thrown, out 
and hundreds of wounded men in tents. 



SKETCH OF J\1A,10K FOKSTEK. 

Major Robert Henry Forster, son of Capt. John Forster, of 
Mifflinburg, and Margaret, youngest daughter of Dr. Robert Van 
Valzah, of Buffalo Cross Roads, Union County, Pennsylvania, waa 
born in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, ITovember 10, 1829. He died 
at his residence in the city of Harrisburg, May 2, 1901, and was 
buried, in accordance with his oft-expressed wish, at liis birthplace 
and boyhood home in Mifflinburg. 

The branch of the Forster family to which Major Forster be- 
longed was started in this country by David Forster who emigrated 
in 1733 from the north of Ireland and settled in Lancaster County. 
He died in 1754, leaving to survive him five sons. The second son, 
John Forster, removed to Buffalo Valley, now Union County, and 
was one of its pioneer settlers and became the owner of a large and 
valuable tract of land. He died in 1783, leaving to survive him four 
sons and four daughters. His youngest son, Robert, was the fathei 
of Capt. John Forster from whom Major Forster descended. 

The lad grew up in the home of his parents until the war with 
Mexico. He became early imbued with a desire for military serv- 
ice and, in order to gratify it, "ran away" from home and joined a 
volunteer company at Danville, Pennsylvania, which subsequently 
became Company C of the 2d Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
and was mustered into service January 3, 1847. He served through- 
out the entire war, taking jjiirt in the battles of Vera Cruz, Cerro 
Gordo, Chapultepec and the Garita de Beleu at the City of Mexico, 
and was mustered out with his company July 20, 1848. 

He subsequently removed to Centre County and engaged in the 
mercantile business for a number of years until, upon the breaking out 
of tlio Civil War, he recruited, and was mustered into the United 
vStatcs service as its Captain, with Company A, 148th Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, Se])t,ember 1, 18C2. His service in the Mexi- 
can War was of great use to him and his company and by reason of 
it and of his quiet, masterful manner and tactful discipline, the 
company soon became a model in neatness, cleanliness, military bear- 
ing, discipline and drill. By reason of a vacancy among the field 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANU VOLUNTEERS 869 

officers of his Regiment, he was made Major of it November 15, 
1862. He served with his Regiment, which was connected with the 
famous First Division, Second (V)rps, in all the battles in which 
it participated in the Army of the Potomac, until he received the 
wound in consequence of which he was mustered out of service, on 
account of wounds received in battle, December 22, 1864. He was 
twice wounded, first at Chancellorsville May 3, 1863, and at Peters- 
burg Juno 18, 1864. 

Major Forster was an officer of unusual gallantry and worth. 
Quiet and self-contained, he was efficient and steady in the enforce- 
ment of discipline, was cool and self-possessed in action and inspired 
others with his courage and persistence. He was genial in manner 
and courteous to his fellows. He had the warm affection of the men 
whom he took into the service and the respect and admiration of all. 
He was in many respects a model soldier. 

He delivered the address at the dedication of the monument of 
his Regiment at Gettysburg in. September, 1889, which is to be found 
in "Penns3dvania at Gettysburg," and which here follows. 

During his term of service, he was made a candidate for the 
Legislature from Centre County but did not allow his candidacy to 
interfere in any way with his military duties. After his muster out of 
the service, he remo^-ed with his family to Bellefonte. He served 
at one time as United States Revenue Collector and was at another 
the clerk of the County Commissioners. He was appointed in 1876 
to a clerkship in the Department of Internal Aft"airs by Gen. Wm. 
McCandless, then its Secretary. In 1879 he became editor and pub- 
lisher of the Centre Democrat, continuing its publication until in 
1884, when he was again appointed to a clerkship in the Department 
of Internal Affairs imder Hon. J. Simpson Africa, continuing in 
that position under the succeeding administrations of Gen. Thomas 
J. Stewart and Gen. James W. Latta, occupying a position under 
General Latta's administration at the time of his death. 

Major Forster was as conspicuous for faithfulness in the dis- 
charge of his duties in civil as in military life. The records and 
])ublications of the Department of Internal Aft'airs furnish many 
]iroofs of liis fidelity and ability. He was the same genial gontleman 



870 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

m every relation of life. The estimation in whicli lie was lield bv 
liis associates in official position cannot be better evidenced than by 
the fact that, although his last illness was protracted and necessitated 
an entire absence from his desk, his associates voluntarily carried 
on his work until his death. 

Major Forster was married, September 22, 1859, to Miss 
Joanna R. Ettinger, a daughter of the late Emanuel and Elizabeth 
Ettinger, of Aaronsburg, Centre County, who, with their two daugh- 
ters, Elizabeth E. and Margaret V., survives. 

Major Forster was not only a model soldier but a citizen of high 
ideals and patriotic purposes, of usefulness in the community and 
helpfulness to his kind. Unostentatious in the assertion of his re- 
ligious views, he was a Christian who lived what he professed. He 
lived the more than three score years and ten, Avhich was the span of 
his life, "in cheerfulness and gentleness and honor and clean mirth." 



PENNSYLVAISTTA DAYS. 

Histarica I Address of Major R. H. Forster, at the Dedication of the Monument 

of the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers, Gettysburg, 

September 11, 12, 1889. 

Comrades and Friends : I approach the duty assigned to me 
in the ceremonies of this Pennsylvania Day with great diffidence, 
and with a deep sense of distrust in my ability to do justice to the 
merits of my gallant comrades of the 14Sth Pennsylvania Regiment, 
01 to the demands of this interesting occasion. I, regard it, indeed, 
no trifling task to properly, clearly and concisely tell the story of 
the honorable part borne by the 148th in the momentous and thrill- 
ing events that here transpired twenty-six years ago — events which 
render this field hallowed ground, dear to every lover of liberty and 
the cause of free, constitutional government. 

The 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers were recruited and organ- 
ized into a Regiment in the months of August and September, in 
the year 1862. For a period, during the autumn of that year, it 
performed duty in Maryland, along the Northern Central Railway, 
one of the most im]x>rtant lines of communication between the North 



THE 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 871 

and the capital city of the Nation. Under the orders, and almost 
constantly under the personal direction of an able, alert and ener- 
getic young commander, now the honored Governor of this great 
Commonwealth, who was thoroughly alive to the far-reaching im- 
portance of drill and discipline, the months given to tliis duty were 
wisely and profitably spent. Xo daylight hours were wasted in idle- 
ness. Life, activity and industry were present in every camp, and 
a system of regular squad, oompany and battalion drills was insti- 
tuted and enforced, together with daily instructions in all the duties 
pertaining to a soldier's life. Rapid and encouraging progress was 
made, and it may be said that the impress and discipline and pro- 
ficiency in drill here made upon the Regiment I'emained with it dur- 
ing its entire term of service. 

In the month of December, a demand arose for additional 
troops to strengthen the Army of the Potomac, then at Fredericks- 
burg, Virginia, and the l-tStli was among the regiments at tbat time 
ordered to the front. Just after the close of the futile and disas- 
-trous assaults made upon that stronghold of the enemy by that 
Army, the Regiment became a part of it. It was lassigned to the 
First Brigade of the First Division of the Second Corps, the Corps, 
Division and Brigade commanded respectively by Generals Couch, 
Hancock and Caldwell. The Brigade, as then constituted, was com- 
posed of the 5th ISTew Hampshire, the 7th and 61st New York, and 
the 81st and 148th Pennsylvania Regiments. Remaining in camp 
near Falmouth during the winter months, the 148th, in the spring 
campaign of 1863, marched with this Brigade to Chanoellorsville, 
and in that unfortunate battle received its first baptism of fire, bear- 
ing itself most gallantly under extremely adverse circumstances, 
and receiving honorable mention and commendation from corps, 
division and brigade commanders. 

Returning with the Army to the old camps opposite Fredericks- 
burg, the Regiment, materially decreased in numbers by its recent 
severe experience in battle, which resulted in heavy losses in killed 
and wounded, remained quietly performing camp and picket duty, 
until early in the month of June, 1863, when began that series of 
wonderful marches and complicated manoeuvres which finally 



872 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

brought the great contending Armies face to face upon the soil of 
Pennsylvania. Two mighty, battle tried hosts they were — the Army 
of the Potomac and tlie Army of JSTorthern Virginia ! O'f ten had 
they confronted each other as adversaries, and fierce and bloody had 
been many of the encounters between them for supremacy. 

The initiative of the Gettysburg campaign was made by the 
Confederate commander on the 3d day of June. It began by the 
withdrawal of a division of Longstreet's Corps from the lines of 
Fredericksburg, which marched to the rear, crossed the Rapidan 
River, and halted in the vicinity of Culpeper Court House. This 
first movement was followed by successive withdrawals of the trooi>s 
of Longstreet and Ewell, until only A. P. Hill was left to face the 
Army under General Hooker on the opposite bank of the Rappa- 
hannock. Thus Hill remained until Hooker, apprised to a certain 
extent of Lee's designs, by information gained in the cavalry battle 
of Brandy Station, began the counter-movements of the Army of 
the Potomac. On the morning of the 13th of June, the last of the 
Union Army had disappeared behind the Stafford hills, and then 
Hill was free to follow after those who had preceded him. March- 
ing by the lower gaps of the Blue Ridge, Lee, with Ewell's Corps, 
passed into tlie Shenandoaih Valley, swept witli irresistible power 
through the valley and forced Milroy from Winchester ; thence to 
the Potomac, across that river to Hagerstown and on down the Cum- 
berland Valley to Chambersburg, Ewell was pushed forward to 
Carlisle, and Early, by way of Gettysburg, to York and Wrights- 
ville. These points were occupied on the 27th and 2Sth, while the 
advanced cavalry scouts had reached the Susquehanna below Harris- 
burg. 

To the loyal i>eople of the North, in utter ignorance of the 
whereabouts of the Army of the Potomac, the situation at this time 
must have been truly alarming. But Hooker, with his host of tried 
veterans, still undaunted and undismayed by previous reverses, had 
not been idle, and appearances were therefore somewhat deceptive. 
When the Union soldiers abandoned the Rappahannock on the 13th, 
the entire Army was headed north, moving by interior lines and 
covering tlie city of Washington. On the 2.^)th and '2C)\]\ the pas- 




THE MONUMENT, 
Wheat Field," Gettysburg. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 873 

sage of the Potomac was made at Edward's Ferry, and by the 28th 
General Hooker's entire force was concentrated around Frederick, 
Maryland. Here it was that Gen. Joseph Hooker retired from the 
command of the Amiy and was superseded by Major General George 
G. Meade. The march towards the north was, however, continued 
on the 29th. On the same day Lee began his movement of concen- 
tration, which, to him, had now become an absohite necessity, and 
thus it was that the contending forces — Meade marching nortliward 
and Lee drawing in his scattered column towards his designated 
place of concentration near Cashtown — were brought together upon 
the field of Gettysburg to again nueasure strength with each other in 
the gage of battle. 

Before starting from the camps on the Rappahannock, a num- 
ber of important changes had occurred in our immediate command. 
The 7th ISTew York, a two-year regiment, whose term had expired, 
had left us. That superb embodiment of every soldierly quality 
that man can possess, General Llancock, had been honored with the 
command of the Second Corps ; General Caldwell assigned to the 
First Division, and Colonel Edward Cross, of the 5th New Hamp- 
shire, to the First Brigade, of which the 148tli still formed a part. 
On the march north but few occurrences of a noteworthy character 
befell the Regiment. There were the usual toilsome marches and 
the usual exposures and hardships incident to an active campaign 
in the field, all of which were borne with patience and fortitude by 
the men. 

The. morning of the 1st of July found the l-iSth, with the com- 
mand to which it belonged, at Union town, a village in the state of 
Maryland, twenty-three miles southeast of Gettysburg. In the fore- 
noon of that hot. July day, a march was made to Taneytown, which 
place was reached about noon. In the afternoon the march was con- 
tinued in the direction of Gettysburg, eleven miles to the north. 
During this afternoon the bloody grap]>le of the First and Eleventh 
Corps with the advancing forces of Hill and Ewell was taking place, 
yet it is a most singular fact, though so near the field, that no sound 
of battle reached our ears ; nor did we know that a terrible fight had 
occurred between these advance columns of the two Armies, until an 



874 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

ambulance bearing the dead body of the lamented General Reynolds, 
who liad fallen early in the strife, })a33ed ns on its way to the rear. 
Late in the evening, as the shades of night were coming on, our col- 
umn, when within two miles of Gettysburg, was halted by General 
Hancock and placed in line of battle, facing north across the Taney- 
town road. It was understood that this position was taken in order 
that the Second Corps might be used in support of either flank of 
the Army, as exigencies might require the coming morning. We 
stayed in this position until after daylight of the morning of the 2d, 
and then after a careful and rigid inspection of arms, advanced to 
the field. The Corps was first massed in the woods to the right of 
the road, facing to the east, where it remained until some time dur- 
ing the forenoon, when the development of the lines of the enemy to 
thoir right, from the town then held by them, along the rear of the 
crest of Seminary Ridge became apparent. The Second Corps then 
changed position to the line along Cemetery Ridge, and facing to 
the west, confronted the Confederate position along the opposite 
ridge. The First Division held the left of the Second Corps line, 
the First Brigade on the left of the Division. The Division Avas 
here massed by brigades in column of regiments — the formation of 
the Fir.-t Brigade presenting the 61st New York in the first line; 
next the 81st Pennsylvania, and then the l-t8th Pennsylvania in 
two lines — 'the left wing in rear of the right. The 148th was thus 
massed in two lines because it was about double tlie size of either of 
the two regiments in front. The Hth New Hampshire, which had 
been detained some distance out of tlie Taneytown Road, afterwards 
joined the Brigade and was placed in the rear of the 148th. 

Whilst lying inactive in this position, I think every Pennsyl- 
vanian was inspired by the thought that he was on home soil, and 
that, Avith rare exceptions, each one nen^ed himself for the great 
struggle whieli he realized to be so near at hand, aiul in which ho 
knew he would be called upon to bear a dangerous and it mighj: be 
a fatal part. To us, however, except that moving columns of in 
fantry were to be seen ; that the dull rumble of artillery wheels, an 
occasional cannon shot, and at intervals a sharp rattle of musketry 
away to the right wore to be hoard the early part of that momorablo 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 875 

day was passing in comparative quietude and with little that was 
eventful. But here our first casualty occurred. A shell, fired from 
the o])i).)site ridge, exploded over the Regiment, and Private George 
Osman, of Company C, was the first soldier of the l-48th killed 
upon the field of Gettysburg. 

About the middle of the day, looking from where the 148t}i 
was lying towards the crossroad to the south, which runs from the 
I'aneytown Road across the northern base of Little Round Top to the 
Emmittsburg Road, a strong oolumn of infantry is seen passing to- 
wards the latter road. We do not know what it means, but soon it 
is ascertained to be the Third Corps, under General Sickles, advanc- 
ing to occupy the high ground over which passes the Emmittsburg 
Read to Sherfy's buildings, near the spot that afterward became so 
famous as the peach orch^ard. Sickles reaches his position, and forms 
his lines of battle — his right along the road to the peach orchard, 
facing west — his left refused and extending from the angle made at 
the peach orchard to the Devil's Den, facing nearly to the south. 
The movement of this Corps was admirably executed, and we 
watched with intense interest, the troops marching with firmness 
and precision to tlie positions assigned them. 

Longstreet had also beigun his movement toward our leftj^ his 
■march well masked from observation by the ridges and dense wood 
west of the Emmittsburg Road. The position of the Third Corps 
seemed to offer him a favorable opportunity for a successful assault, 
and he did not delay long in taking advantage of it. The Third 
Corps is barely prepared to receive an attack, before he hurls his 
battalions against its left with impetuosity and determination, and 
then began one of the most remarkable encounters of opposing forces 
known in the annals of modern warfare. The resistance offered by 
the Third Corps to this assault was stubborn, persistent and vigor- 
ous, but at last, finding himself sorely pressed, General Sickles is 
obliged to call for help, and the First Division of the Second Corps, 
by order of General Hancock, is at once detached from the Corp? 
and hurried to the assistance of Birney's Division, still engaged m 
a desperate struggle with its assailants. The four brigades of our 
Division, as before described, were massed bv brigades in column of 



876 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Tegiments. These masses promptly moved at tlie double-quick by 
the left, and in that order approached the scene of action near thg 
Avheat field. Observers of the rapid and splendid strides of these 
four massed brigades along the western slope of Cemetery Ridge 
toward the left, describe the sight, in glowing words, as one of the 
most inspiring and exciting witnessed during the battle. In the 
fight that followed the 14:8th bore a conspicuous and gallant part. 
The First Brigade, leading the Division, was the first to deploy into 
line of battle. Before reaching the crossroad already mentioned, a 
halt was called. The Gist jSTew York then filed to the right ; this 
regiment was followed by the 81st Pennsylvania, and it, in turn, 
by the 148th; but the 148th being in two lines, the first company 
of the right wing to follow the 81st was ("omp'any C, with the colors, 
and the last, Company A ; Company B of the left wing followea 
Company A, and thus the line was drawn out. The line was then 
faced to the left before crossing the road into the wheat field, anQ 
the Regiment found itself in the anomalous condition of being not 
only faced by the rear rank, but inverted by wings^ — Companies A 
and B in the center, and the eeaiter companies far out of place at 
the extremes. This eccentricity of formation, I am happy to say, 
did not, in the slightest manner, affect the conduct of the Regiment. 
Previous drill and discipline had provided for just such conditions; 
and it is a fact in which we may feel some pride, that officers and 
men acquitted themselves with as much credit, bore themselves with 
as much coolness, as though the ordeT of alignment had been regu- 
lar and habitual. Advancing into the wheat field a short distance, 
a second halt for a few minutes was made, and then rushing forward 
we met the enemy. A volley was sent into their lines, and although 
we were also under a severe fire from which many fell, among them 
the brigade commander, the advance of the brigade could not be 
checked. We seemed to have approached the line of Birney's Di- 
vision at a point from which the troops had been taken to support 
another portion of the front — there being apparently quite a vacancy 
or gap between the right of Ward's Brigade and the left of De Tro- 
briand, but the vacant place was filled and held with cool determin- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 877 

atiou and unflinching firmness. Of this advance of the First Bri- 
gade, General Caldwell, in his ofiicial report of the battle, says: 



"The position assigned me was on the right of the Fifth and 
the left of the Third Corps, and I was ordered to check and drivD 
back the enemy who were advancing at that point. I ordered Colonel 
Cross, commanding the First Brigade, to advance in line of battle 
through a wheat field, his left resting on the woods which skirted the 
field. He advanced but a short distance when he encountered the 
enemy, and opened upon him a terrific fire, driving him steadily to 
the farther end of the wheat field." 

Of the same advance Colonel McKeeii says : 

"The brigade steadily drove back the enemy to the far end of 
the wheat field. So quickly was this done that prisoners were taken 
by the brigade before the enemy had time to spring from their hid- 
ing places to retreat." 

I may here state as a fact, worthy of note that the "hiding 
places" mentioned by Colonel McKeen were the stone fence and 
boulders along the edge of the wood, behind which a number of the 
enemy had taken refuge, and were obliged to surrender to the 148 th. 

Under a hot fire of musketry, Avhich "svas duly returned in kind, 
the 148th reached the far end of the wheat field, seven companies 
crossing the stone fence into the woods, while the other three companies 
remained in line in the open field. Here the battle was desperate and 
sanguinary, the enemy endeavoring with might and persistency to 
drive us back, while the Brigade held fast with marvelous valor and 
unyielding tenacity. This battle continued to rage with unabated 
fury, our ranks were being rapidly thinned by the large number 
Avho were falling killed or wounded, ammunition was running low, 
when, opportunely, a brigade of the Fifth Corps was found to re- 
lieve a large part of our line. A part of the 148th and the regi- 
ments to the right were then retired across the wheat field and the 
road at its border, where they re-formed behind a stone fence near 
the latter just as the sun was sinking behind the western mountains. 
An incident of this withdrawal of the First Brigade which liere de- 
serves mention is that a part of the 148th, with the 5th Xew Hamjr 
shire, was compelled to remain in position for a considerable time 



878 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

after the balance of the Brigade had been relieved. Col. H. B. 
]\IeKeen, now commanding the Brigade in place of Colonel Cross, 
mortally wounded soon after the advance, discovered that by retiring 
the entire Brigade, the left flank of the Brigade which had come to 
his relief would be exposed to attack, and to avert this danger he 
ordered the portions of his command mentioned to remain. Colonel 
McKeen makes special mention of this detachment, and the service 
it rendered, in his report, and his words are highly complimentary. 
He says : 

''The 5th (ISTew Hampshire) and the 148th (Pennsylvania) 
remained in position, steadily holding the enemy in check, until 
every round of cartridge in this portion of the Brigade was ex- 
pended, and even then held their position until relieved by a bri- 
gade of General Barnes' Division of the Fifth Corps. Passing the 
relieving brigade by file, they retired in splendid order, as they were 
enfiladed by a galling fire from the left flank (faced to the rear)." 

The presence of this little detachment in position had also an- 
other effect besides protecting the flank of the relieving brigade. 
Later in the action than the First Brigade, Colonel John R. Brooke, 
with his splendid Fourth Brigade of our Division, had swept in a 
headlong charge across the wheat field farther to the right, and driv- 
ing everything before him, had crossed the stone fence and reached 
the top of the hill in the woods beyond. His position here was an 
exposed one, and he was repeatedly told to look out for his left flank. 
He at once refused one of his regiments on that flank, but, contrary 
to expectations, he experienced no trouble from that direction. Hear- 
ing afterwards of the portions of the First Brigade that remained 
in place by Colonel McKeen's order. Colonel Brooke freely acknowl- 
edged that it was their fire that kept the enemy off his threatened 
flank. 

Of the conduct of the Division, General Caldwell was fully 
satisfied, as appears in another extract from his report which T will 
quote. He says: 

"The Division on the afternoon of the 2d fought with its accus- 
tomed gallantry, and performed everything that could be ex]>ectect 
of either officers or men. The large number of killed and wounded 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 879 

would attest its desperate valor. That it fell bach was owing to the 
breaking of the troops on the right, permitting the enemy to get on 
its flank and rear." 

This is a satisfactory compliment from the commander of the 
Division, but I think he falls into a slight inaccuracy of fact, no 
doubt inadvertent on his part, in the last sentence of the quotation. 
It does an injustice to the First Brigade. When he came to speak 
of "falling back," he should have excepted the First Brigade from 
his general statement, because in no sense should it be understood 
that this Brigade was forced to fall back from any cause, and not 
a single man, unless wounded, left its line until it was regularly 
relie^'cd by other troops, when it retired under orders. 

Late in the evening of the 2d when the Brigade, lacking the 
many who had fallen in the battle of the wheat field, had been again 
united, it marched to the position on the left of the other two di- 
visions of the Corps from which it had been detached. The Bri- 
gade was here placed on the right of the Division, and deployed by 
regiments in a single line of battle, and, weary and worn by the toil 
and excitement of the afternoon, all sank to rest for the night upon the 
crest of Cemetery Bidge, while many of our comrades were sleep- 
ing the long sleep of death in the wheat field and woods where they 
had fallen. The morning brought no change in our situation, ex- 
cept that upon the appearance of General Hancock at an early hour. 
orders were issued to strengthen that part of the line by artificial 
defenses with any means at hand. In our front many of the fences 
of the town lots were still standing intact, and at an intimation by 
Hancock that the rails could be utilized in the constrnction of a 
breastwork, these fences disappeared as if by magic; the rails were 
brought in, and along the entire front of the l-kSth a breastwork, a? 
strong as it could be made with such material, was speedily built. 
When this had been accomplished artillery came to the front ; 
Thompson's Battery took position with tlie 148tli and the men of 
the Regiment, borrowing the picks and shovels carried by the bat- 
tery, still further increased the strength and safety of their defenses 
by giving to the bare rails a substantial covering of earth. The re- 
ward for the time and labor expended in this work came later in the 



880 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

day. The silence of the forenoon of the 3d along tlie Second Corps 
was ominous of something of weighty import to come. That the 
enemy had some great purpose in view none could doubt. At last a 
clue to their intentions is apparent. Artillery is beginning to oc- 
cupy every available spot along the crest of Seminary Ridge and 
every other point of advantage along their lines. They thus placed 
in position one hundred and thirty-eight guns, while on our side this 
enormous concentration of artillery, owing to our shorter line, could 
only be offset with eighty. All was finally in readiness, when, at 
one o'clock, the quietness of the forenoon was sviddenly broken by 
the reverberations of two signal guns, and these signals were imme- 
diately followed by a terrific outburst from the entire Confederate 
concentration that fairly shook the earth. The Union guns for 
awhile remained silent, "withholding their fire," as Swinton says, 
"until the first hostile outburst has spent itself." But in a short 
time the guns on our side began to speak in reply, and for over two 
hours this prodigious duel of over two hundred cannon, hurling shot 
and shell from ridge to ridge, continued. With the mad roar of the 
guns, the heavens above us seemed alive with screeching, shrieking 
missiles of destruction and death ; and yet, with the protection af- 
forded by the defenses built in the morning, the casualties along the 
line of the 14:8th were exceedingly small. 

About four o'clock the clamor of this noisy combat l)egan to die 
away, and soon Confederate columns of infantry were seen prejiar- 
ing for an attack on the center of the Union lines on Cemetery 
Ridge. They moved forward in splendid battle array, and at first 
it appeared that their objective point w^ould be the First Division. 
N^ot so, however. On reaching tlie Emmittsburg Road, near the 
Codori House, Pickett's columns made an oblicpie move to their left, 
and the front of the Division was for a little while clear. The weight 
of the assault fell u]X)n Webb's Philadelphia Brigade, of the Second 
Division, and the assault, repulse and all the dramatic features con- 
nected therewith can Innn u<i ]Kirt of my recital. Sliortly afterward, 
however, an isolated brigade (if the enemy to tlu^ right of Pickett, 
commanded by Wilcox, a]>])earcd on our front. Gloving forward to 
the assault, this column liad partly ]>asscd the troops of Stanard's 



S^?SSSrt^ 




--^% 



THE MARKER. 
Gettysburg. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 881 

Vermont Brigade, who had been placed somewhat to the right and 
in advance. Still pressing forward, these Confederates soon came 
within mnsket range of our Brigade. They were received with a 
volley and at the same time found themselves vigorously assailed on 
their llank by Stanard, ^\'ho had ]n'omptly made a change (»f front 
for that purjwse. Those of them who had passed Stanard, seeing 
the hoi>elessness of their attack, and knowing that retreat was im- 
possible, threw down their arms in token of surrender and passed 
over onr breastworks prisoners of war, a large nnndier passing over 
the position of the l-tSth. The remainder of this colnnni made a 
liasty retreat, and the assault was over. 

My comrades, the mighty contest of the Ist, 2d and 3d days 
of July, 1863, was now at an end, and the time had come to count 
losses. In our Regiment they were exceedingly severe. Out of four 
hundred of actual strength carried into the action on this field nearly 
one-third were killed or wounded, the heaviest loss occurring on the 
2d. The record of casualties may be stated as follows: 

Killed, officers, 1 ; wounded, officers, 6 ; killed, men, IS ; 
wounded, men, 95; missing, men, 1; total of losses, 125. 

Of the wounded one officer and ten men subsequently died of 
their wounds. 

Tlie two gallant officers who lost their lives here were Capt. 
Tfobert ]\I. Forster, of Company C, and Lieut. John A. Bayard, of 
Company 11, both of whom fell in the wheat field. 

Captain Forster was an able officer, of fine intelligence, and 
his death was indeed a great loss to the Regiment. He was a strict 
and excellent discijdinarian, ]>rompt and energetic in the perform 
ance of every duty. He attended faithfully to the interests of his 
company, and always took great pride in seeing it in good condition. 
The loss of Lieutenant Bayard was also keenly felt. He was a fine 
drill-master, a quality acquired by some years of service in the Regu- 
lar Army, and the ease and grace he displayed in handling a com- 
pany on drill or parade were often the subject of complimentary 
remarks of his fellow officers. 

On this historic field the 148th |X^rformed splendid and valu- 
aWe service. From thence its standing was established. To the 



882 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

end of the War it always ranked among the best of the veteran regi- 
ments of the Second Corps, and as a recognition of the part it played 
hero, it is only necessary for me to give you another short extract 
from Colonel McKeen, because of the direct reference to the Regi- 
ment which it contains. It reads as follows: 

''I have only to state that the Brigade fought with its usual 
gallantry, and the Regiment I had the honor to command in the early 
part of the engagement, comparatively a new one, equaled in cool- 
ness and gallantry the balance of the Brigade — old veterans of the 
Peninsula." 

And now, my comrades, as a conclusion to my narrative, this 
brings me to state how it happened that Colonel McKeen, of the 
81st, was in command of the Regiment in the early part of the 
Gettysburg engagement. I deem it an act of duty to nuike this 
statement, yet I venture upon the subject with some hesitation, for 
one of the persons of whom I shall speak lost his life in this wheat 
field. It would be ungracious to say anything unkind of him, and, 
so far as I can help it, I will not do so. The person to whom T refer 
is Col. Edward E. Cross, under whom, as oair Brigade commander, we 
marched to this field. Colonel Cross was undoubtedly a dashing, 
brave and impetuous soldier, but in other personal characteristics 
he was not noted for giving much consideration to the rights and 
feelings of other soldiers. For some cause, never, so far as I am 
aware, known or explained, he, from his first association with us, 
seemed to have conceived a dislike to the Regiment. Xow, because 
of this dislike, or prejudice, or whatever it may have been, officers 
and men of our Regiment were almost daily, from the day we broke 
camp on the Rappahannock until we reached Gettysburg, made to 
suffer wrong and injustice from him. One officer in ]>articular, at 
the very outset of the campaign, seemed to have incurred his open 
displeasure. That officer was Lieutenant Colonel Robert McFar- 
lane, commanding officer of the Regiment in the absence of Colonel 
Beaver, who had not recovered from the severe wound he had re- 
ceived at Chancellorsville. Colonel McFarlane soon became a vic- 
tim to this displeasure ; yet it is a truth, known to myself and 
others, that if he ever gave offense to Colonel Cross, it was only in 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 883 

snc'li efforts as he made tO' protect himself and those who served 
under him from imposition and injustice. However that may be, 
on the evenino; of the 30th of Jnne^ 1863, while in bivouac at Union- 
town, Maryland, the company commanders were called together to 
meet Colonel McKeen, and were by him informed that he had come 
to the Regiment by order of Colonel Cross to assume command of 
it. To say that all were astounded and shocked at this sudden and 
unceremonious announcement is to give mild terms to their feelings. 
It must be said, however, that if such an arbitrary and cruel act 
of injustice was to be perpetrated, a less objectionable officer than 
Colonel McKeen could not have been selected to place in oomimand. 
He was an officer and soldier of excellent repute, highly esteemed 
by all who knew him, and in all respects one under whom a subordi- 
nate might cheerfully serve. Under the circumstances we could only 
repress our indignation and submit. Without a mumiur of open 
complaint at the time, though the provocation was grievous. Colonel 
McFarlane quietly bore this humiliation. Courageous man and 
soldier as he was, he followed his Regiment to Gettysburg and gal- 
lantly shared its dangers. On this wheat field, after the fall of 
Colonel Cross, and Colonel McKeen, by virtue of his rank had be- 
come the Brigade commander, so acceptable to him had been Col- 
onel McFarlane's conduct in the fight, that his first act was to direct 
Colonel McFarlane to resume command of the Regiment, thus in a 
measure atoning for the wrong of his predecessor in command. From 
that moment until the battle ended the Regiment was in charge of 
Colonel McFarlane. T have regarded this statement due to Colonel 
McFarlane and this a proper time and a proper place in which to 
make it. 

Comrades of the 148th ! We have met here today to dedicatte 
yonder massive and imposing pile of granite. It stands there, not 
alone a tribute to the value and importance of the services you ren- 
dered upon the field of Gettysburg, the events of which, so far as 
you are concerned, I have so imperfectly, though I believe truth- 
fully, tried to tell. You participated in many other campaigns, 
made many other weary and toilsome marches, and fought in many 
other bloodv battles. From Chancellorsville to the surrender at 



884 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Appomattox, your presence as a vegiinental unit of tlie grand old 
Corps was felt, and in no canipaigii, on no march and in no battle 
in which yon were engaged, whether upon the skirmish line of which 
service you always had a large share, or in the line of battle in the 
midst of the fray, will it be said that you ever shrank from the full 
performance of your duty. At all times and under all surroundings 
you had the respect and confidence of those in high command over 
you, for well they knew you would never fail them in the hour of 
trial and danger. This record of our Regiment is a proud one, and 
that monument will tell the story to generations yet unborn, for its 
list of battles waged for the preservation of the Union is more im- 
pressive, suggestive and eloquent than any poor words of mine. 

As nearly as it can be approximated the total enrollment of our 
Regiment was 1,370 officers and men, and the casualties in all ac- 
tions in which it participated were as follows: Killed, 7 officers 
and 121 men; wounded, 34 officers and 581 men; captured or miss- 
ing, 4 officers and 168 men; making the aggregate of casualties in 
action 915 out of the total enlistment of 1,370. 

The deaths from all causes were as follows : Killed, 7 officers 
and 121 men; died of wounds received in action, 6 officers and 69 
men ; died of disease, 4 officers and 170 men ; died of other causes, 
22 men ; making an aggregate of 399. It should also be added that 
the records of the Regiment show a list of over 25 men missing in 
action who were never afterwards accounted for; but it is well known 
to many of the survivors of the Regiment that most of these missing 
men were killed in l)attl(', and therefore properly belong to the list 
of killed, and should be so reported. These statistics prove that your 
lot as soldiers was not cast in soft or pleasant places in the rear, but 
testify with startling emphasis to your presence in many scenes oi 
danger, carnage and death. 

To that merciful Providence which led so many of us through 
those days of danger with our lives — days of danger in which nearly 
one-third of those who marched together to the front as the 148th 
Regiment were left behind — let us render fervent and reverent thanks, 
and pray that our beloved country, with its free institutions and its 
beneficent f<irin of goverinnont, reunited, purified and strengthened 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 885 

by the toils, sufferings and sacrifices of the Union soldiers of 1801- 
1865, may be safe for all time to come from another War of Re- 
bellion. Let us also be thankful that after the lapse of more than a 
quarter of a century, so goodly a number of us have been permitted 
to gather here to engage in these ceremonies. It has done my heart 
good to meet and greet you today. Comrades, my task has now been 
completed. I thank you for your kind attention, and hoping that 
God's dioicest blessings may rest upon each one of you during the re- 
mainder of your days on earth, I bid you all a kind adieu. 



CAMP FIKE. 
PART I. 

By Corporal J. K. P. Ward, Company C 
At the time 1 enlisted I was working on a farm and received 
tlie princely sum of eight dollars per month and board for fifteen 
honrs' work. About that time the l-i-8th Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers was being organized. I went to my father's home, in 
Gatesburg, to get his consent to enlist. He told me I was too young. 
I said I would go anyway, but had no idea of going without his per- 
mission. I went back to my work on the farm. That week I was 
ploughing, I looked up the road and saw some wagons coming down 
with a flag flying. My heart was with them, but still I would not 
go without my father's consent. About that time I saw the teams 
stop and a man get off and start across the field to where I was. 
It was Daniel Gates. He said, "Jim, your father is over there and 
says you can go if you want to." I don't think there ever was a 
toam unhitched from a plow any quicker than that was. I put them 
in tlie bairn, took off the harness, changed clothes and away I went 
to Bellefonte and was sworn into the service of the United States 
Army on the 19th of August, 1862, and started to Harrisburg, where 
the Regiment was organized as the 148th. 

At Cockeysville I was taken sick with typhoid fever. I was 
taken to the hospital tent in the woods. Captain Porster detailed 
"W. H. i\Iayes to stay at the hospital to nurse me, which 1 think was 
his first step towards getting to be hospital steward. 

When I was able to leave the hospital it was real cold. I went 
to Phoenix, where Company C was located and helped guard the 
railroad. One night I was on guard between Phoenix and camyi 
and Lieutenants Bible and Stevenson came along. I halted them 
and told them to advance and give the countersign. They advanced 
and Bible leaned over to give the countersign, Stevenson slipped by 
me. While I was trying to stop him, Bible ran around on the other 
side. It was a moonlifrht night and T could see them plainly. T 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 887 

got the big gnu to mv skoulder to shoot. They eommenced calling 
not to shoot. They came back and plead with me not to tell. If the 
Colonel had heard of it there would have been a hot time in the old 
town. 

When we left for the front among the baggage of Company A 
was a barrel of apple bntter. Company C was in charge of trans- 
portation. They would not allow it to be transported as baggage, so 
Capt. R. H. Forster traded it to a hotel for dinner for the eompiany. 
There was a great wailing in Company H when they missed their 
barrel of apple butter. You could hear the remarks afterwards iii 
German : "l)er Captain Forster hat unser latwarrick varkauf t." 

We reached the front a very tired set of men. I think it was 
tlie most tiresome march I experienced while I was in the Army. 
Our knapsacks were too full for comfort. At Falmouth we joined 
the Second Army Corps, where we stayed until we w^ere mustered 
out. 



PART II. 

By T. W. Myion. 

There is one class of soldiers who served in the Union Army 
whose services and sacrifices have never been properly recognized, 
whose patriotic devotion has never been the theme of poet's song or 
orator's declamation, whose achievements have never been the sub- 
ject of official reports, whose daily and special returns find no place 
in tke "Records of the Rebellion" and to whom the historian seldom, 
if ever, alludes. We refer to the men who shod the mules of the 
army wagon trains. 

Their service was rendered under peculiar trials and tempta- 
tions — trials sore and grave from the mule and temptations to pro- 
fanity which were too overwhelming to be resisted. Talk about the 
infantry fire at Spotsylvania or boast of your rapid fire guns of a^ 
L'lter date, but tliere was a battery that could fire six times while an 
automatic gun fired once and never miss the bull's eye. It was al- 
ways "in battery." It could fire in any direction ; it had no ammu- 
nition chests or caissons to be exploded but carried its own ammuni- 



888 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

tion within itself; it required no loading at either muzzle or breach ; 
it required neither primer nor lanyard and was its own cannoneer ; 
it did not fire at long range, as do our modern rifle guns but within 
the sphere of its limited range it was absolutely unfailing. It was 
the army mule. 

It is charged and generally believed that the army contractors 
purchased and sent to the Army the most vicious and abandoned ani- 
mals to be had in the whole country. At Washington they were run 
into stocks, firmly bound and shod and then forwarded to the Army. 
Their experience in this operation did not tend to lessen their natural 
depravity when freed from the environment which made resistance 
useless in their first shoeing. After they reached the Army, their 
feet were cared for by men who were detailed from the ranks for 
that purpose. To this extra hazardous and dangerous duty there were 
detailed and sent to the army trains from the 148th Regiment John 
G. Uzzle, of Company H, and the two Condo's, father and son, from 
Company G. 

N^ow be it known unto you that the army mule did not look 
the mighty warrior he was. On the contrary, as you stood be- 
side him, fat, sleek and glossy, and looked into his large, soft, soul- 
ful hazel eyes you w^ould think he was dreaming of those bright, 
happy days, now long since past when, as a little nondescript, he 
played in some bright, beautiful sunny meadow of the far northland, 
nibbling the tender grass and violets and trying to giiess who his 
father was. 

By the side of a specimen like this Uzzlo stood with his kit 
for his maiden effort at shoeing in the Army. Having looked his 
subject over and being well pleased with the prospect, he took up his 
foot to put a shoe on it. Then something happened. The -world 
began to disappear. He was ^oing upward. Professor Lowe's 
balloon hung like a mere speck near the earth to the southwest. Then 
the world began to grow larger. He'd been rejected above and was 
returning earthward. As he came down he passed Condo going up 
and said, "Good-bye, Dan, I'll draw your rations and if you don't 
get back pay day, I'll draw your pay and send it to your widow." 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 889 

The only injury, however, resulting from this double mishap was a 
badly sprained knee and sundry painful bruises. 

But these were no ordinary men. They were wise and thrifty 
and knew how to coin their misfortunes into cash and out of their 
dangerous occupation lay the foundation of comfortable fortunes. 
Thereafter, neither of them would shoe a nuile until his feet were 
clamped to good substantial pine stumps and, while they shod on« 
foot, the mule kicked the stump out with the other. When out of 
the ground, these stumps commanded a ready market to the lazy soIt 
diers who didn't like to go far for their fire wood for fuel. There 
is no telling how large fortunes they would have amasscMl, if it 
had not been for the stiff and unreasonable pigheadedness of the 
wagon master who refused to move the camp of the wagon train 
every time they ran out of stumps and insisted that the much-abused 
army mules had enough to do to move the wagon trains without 
drawing stumps for lazy blacksmiths to speculate on. 

Whilst occupying our beautiful winter quarter camp near Stev- 
ensburg during the winter of 1863-1864, Captain Core, of K Com- 
]3any, had a colored cook who answered to the name of Dick Thomp- 
son. There were several other darkies in the Regiment who were 
special cronies of Dick. Captain Core being absent from camp on 
picket duty, the darkies met at his quarters for a social game of 
cards. As is not unusual on such occasions, they differed as to the 
rules of the game and, as a consequence, came to loud words and 
threats of something more. S. W. Harrington, of K Company, pass- 
ing the quarters and knowing of the Captain's absence, concluded to 
investigate. Opening the door of the Captain's snug quarters, he 
passed in and closed it, whereupon it was immediatel_y blocked from 
the outside. Some of the other fellows of the company saw the 
chance for some fun, so the door was hold tightly shut, while an- 
other of the mischief-makers dropped some cartridges down the 
chimney and placed a board over the top. It is needless to say that 
all loud talk and threats of dire disaster stopped immediately in the 
face of the greatest danger. The cartridges exploded, the ashes flew^ 
the smoke emerged from the chimney and, in tlie midst of the melee, 
tlie darkies got to the far end of the cabin and, wlien Harrington 



890 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

looked about him, all that he could see was three sets of ivories and 
the whites of three pairs of eyes of the worst scared darkies yoii 
ever saw. 

Wlien the door was finally opened, not a soul could l>e seen. 
There was no way of fixing the responsibility for what had happened 
and Harrington remained in blissful ignorance for nearly forty 
years. Finally S. H. Sloan, of K Company, now of Ashland, Ohio, 
owned up that he was the doorkeeper on that occasion and that John 
Donahue, one of the tallest members of K, had manipulated the 
cartridges and the board over the chimney. The joke was on Har- 
rington but no serious consequences resulted and the Captain, when 
he returned, found everything in apple-pie order in his comfortable 
hut. 



PART III. 



John M. English, of F Company, tells this humorous little in- 
cident : 

A squad of F Company's best foragers were one day in search 
of anything which would add variety to the army ration in the 
neighborhood of one of our camps when a barrel of sorghum molasses 
was discovered in the cellar of a plantation house which had been 
practically deserted. The head was soon taken out and all available 
canteens were brought into requisition to be filled. The foragers 
were busily engaged in their work, when a colored girl — evidently, 
belonging to the plantation — came up and put her head down to 
taste of the molasses. George Zullinger, who was always ready for 
such an emergency, said to her, "Do that again, gal," which, nothing 
loath, she immediately did. George, as quickly, shoved her head 
into the molasses. The condition of things when her head re-ap- 
l>eared can l)e imagined but cannot be descril>ed. She took it good- 
naturedly, however, gave herself a shake and said, "Hi gollies, I'se 
sweet all over!" A little circumstance of that kind, of course, did 
not damage the molasses in the eyes of the boys and the canteens 
continued to be filled, until they were satisfied and returnd to camp. 
The several messes in that company had a pleasing variety in their 
flap-jacks and fried hard tack for several days tliereafter. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 891 

PART IV. 

By J. B. Hol/oway, of Company D. 

In connection with the capturing of the rebel fort in front ot 
Petersburg by one hundred selected men of our Regiment, the story 
of Corp. William P. Holloway, of Company D, and now of Orange- 
ville, Illinois, is worthy of record. They were under the command 
of a Lieutenant (Price), a staff officer, who was bold, brave and 
ambitious, but likely used more of these qualities than of discretion. 
He led the men up the works, being far in advance of them, and 
urging and calling to them to come on. He had scarcely reached the 
top of the fort when he was shot dead and his body rolled down the 
embankment. The men, however, went on and took the fort. The 
rebels were very stubborn and refused to lay down their arms and 
our men were obliged to shoot many of them in the fort and in their 
bomb proofs before they would surrender. Comrade Holloway, 
while tarrying for a little while in one of these bomb proofs, on 
coming out found that every man had left the fort. He hardly knew 
what to do or where to go, but he made his way out and found seven- 
teen of our men and three rebels huddled together in the trenches on 
the outside of the fort. He asked them what they were doing there, 
and why they did not return to our lines. They said they could not 
as the rebels had a cross fire on the line of their retreat. He told 
them he would not remain there, but would go for our lines at all 
hazards, as it would be about as sweet for him to be shot as to bc» 
taken prisoner. He then told the three rebels that they must go with 
him. They objected but he touched his repeater and the four 
started for our lines, and while passing the exposed place one of the 
rebels was shot through the shoulder, but he could still travel and 
so the Corporal brought the three into our lines. All of the seven- 
teen men who remained in the trenches by the fort were taken 
prisoners. 

In this connection I wish to say that few men, if any, in our 
Regiment or in any other regiment did more actual service as a sol- 
dier than Corporal Holloway. He was with the Regiment from 
start to finish. He had not been sick during his three years service, 



892 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

and was away from the Regiment only for a few weeks after the 
battle of Spotsylvania where he had been wounded. 

LINCOLN AT CITY POINT. 

In the winter and spring of 1865 I was on detail at City Point 
Hospibal, after the fall of Richmond and Petersburg and when 
President Lincoln made his memorable trip to Richmond. O'n his 
return to Washington he stopped for a short time at City Point. The 
hospital at this place was very extensive. The different army corps 
having their separate locations, and a branch of the railroad extended 
through the central part of this city of sick and wounded, where- 
on were brought carload after carload of these unfortunates day after 
day. It was here that the President showed his great kindness ot 
heart and his love and respect for the soldier boys. He visited the 
greater part of the wards of this great hospital wherein were the 
sick and wounded that were unable to leave their beds and took the 
boys by the hand and talked to them and gave them words of cheer. 
Then in the streets of this city of tents the boys that were able to be 
out would line up in long rows, and in some places in large circlefi, 
and Mr. Lincoln would walk along these lines and shake all by the 
hand and say to each one alternately, "How do you do, sir," "How 
are you, sir." It was my misfortune to stand in one of these circles 
close to where the President started to go around it. He went to- 
ward his right which was away from me, and it so happened that 
before he got around to where I stood some one engaged him in con- 
versation and so he stopped before completing that circle. Then 
Mr. Lincoln said, "Well, where will we go now." So they started 
across the railroad track to the Fifth Corps Hospital. While on 
this little walk many were the pulls the President got on his coat 
tail by persons who wished to meet him, so he would turn about and 
take them by the hand. As for myself, I pulled the Second Corps 
badge off my cap, so as not to bo known as an interloper, and 
crossed over and stood in line with the Fifth Corps boys, and then 
I had the pleasure of shaking hands with President Lincoln. I saved 
that little red badge off my cap and have it yet 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 893 

PAET V. 

The following incident, related bv Comrade Lemuel IT. Osman, 
of Company G, illustrates a very interesting feature in the life of 
the Regiment: 

There was in this company what was known as a praying band. 
Comrades Osman and William Carson had been two rather reckless 
characters and were in the habit of smoking this praying band out 
of the tent and otherwise disturbing their devotions. One Satur- 
day these two were out on a fishing excursion and were caught in a 
rain storm going home. Osman says they were going along very 
quietly ^yith but little to say, when Carson suddenly remarked, 
"Lem, I am going to turn over a leaf and live a better life. You 
and I have been rather wicked ; let us try and do better for once." 
Osman replied, "All right. Now tomorrow is Sunday. Sunoose we 
get our testaments and go up to the praying mess and ask them to 
pray for us." So they did. 

When they came to the tent of John Craig, who was one of the 
leaders of the prayer meeting, they rapped on the door and were in- 
vited to come in. Craig said, "How is this, boys ? You are so early 
this morning?" Osman replied, "Well we came to ask you to pray 
for us — Will and I." Craig replied, "So you are beginning to think 
of your wicked life. Well, sit down there till we get breakfast." 
After breakfast, we all knelt in prayer. Samuel Bottorf was called 
upon to lead and such a prayer Osman says he never heard ; that he 
often thinks of it now and how he felt on that Sabbath day. They 
spent the day reading the testament. 

In a letter from Osman, he says, "Poor Carson is dead. Soon 
our time will come and I'm looking forward to a brighter world, as 
we are dropping out of the ranks, one by one." 



PART VI. 

Incidents by John Craig, of Company C. 
I was born July 7, 1834. About forty of us went to Belief onte. 
From there went to Milroy and thence to Lewistown, where we 
took the train for Harrisburg and went to the barracks and, after 



894 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

dinner, reported at Camp Curtin tx> the officer in charge; thence to 
the Quartermaster for rations and equipment and settled doAvii to 
camp life with the balance of the Regiment. Took part in the battle 
of Chancellorsville. 

While on picket at Kelly's Ford, we came to know a Mr. Kelly 
who was the owner of one thousand acres of land and one hundred 
and fifty slaves. ]^ow all that he had left were a few implements, 
three old negroes and a little darkey boy. 

I was not at Gettysburg, being absent, wounded. I think T 
did not get back to the Regiment until April, 1864. That spring I 
was taken sick and sent to the general hospital in Washington. Later 
on I was at a convalescent caiiip and the convalescents were all or- 
dered to the front, T among them, where I took part in the o]>erations 
before Petersburg and at Deep Bottom. 

I was wounded at the second Deep Bottom fight and was in 
Philadelphia from August until May, when I was discharged and 
sent home. I had carried a running wound until October, 1896, 
when I was relieved by the amputation of my right leg. 

In front of Fredericksburg, two or three o'clock one morning, 1 
was directly opposite a rebel picket, when he called out, "Hello, 
Yank ! Want to trade some coffee for some tobacco ? I sent a little 
boat over to you with tobacco and newspaper for some coffee." But 
his boat run against an old \vi'eck of a steamboat. He said, "Keep 
a look-out, Yank, for the boat." At daybreak I saw a little structure 
of some kind behind the old wreck and by this time I could see 
Johnny and talk with him. I could see the boat but it was cajv 
sized and the cargo lost. It was about twelve or fifteen feet down 
to the water and nearly perpendicular. T was looking every moment 
for relief but the best I could do was to go ])art way down. I got 
a ])iece of the vine and worked the vine over the toi> mast and so got 
hold of the boat but the cargo was gone — tobacco and newspaper. 

I was wounded at Chancellorsville in my neck, right arm and 
left side. I was near Colonel Beaver and called to him that I was 
wounded. He said, "Get to the rear," and I was taken to the hospi- 
tal at Washington and from there to Philadelphia. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 895 

At Deep Bottom, I was sitting by the side of Samuel Gill, 
when a shell took off his right arm, and the surgeons tried to help 
him but could do nothing to &a\'e his life. He asked me to pray for 
him. He was a young man, in his prime, and just returned from 
the hospital, having been wounded at Cold Harbor. He died dur- 
ing the night. 

About the same time Thomas McBeth and I, with several others, 
were wounded by the explosion of a shell. A large piece struck Mc- 
Beth in the side. I think the fragment would have weighed a pound. 
I sat by his side, while the surgeon cut it out; you could have put 
your fist in the hole. I never expected to see him again but about 
eighteen years afterwards I happened to be at Julian and I met 
McBeth sound and well. 



PART VII. 

By Daniel G. Farley, Company H. 

On our march from camp near Falmouth, in April, 186:3, 
loaded down with eight days' rations and forty rounds of ammuni- 
tion, just before we reached United States Ford, Comrade John 
English found a peacock feather and thinking to pass a good joke on 
me, stuck it in my cap, saying, "I have got a good tail for the old 
Shanghai," referring to the fact that I possessed quite a talent for 
imitating that domestic fowl, and which I practiced frequently to 
the amusement of some, and the annoyance of others. To carry out 
the spirit of the joke, 1 kept the feather and gave one of my best imita- 
tions, pretending to flap my wings and crowing as only a Shanghai 
can crow. It raised a loud laugh through the Regiment with thei, 
exclamation, "The Shanghai is still living." 

In crossing the pontoon bridge, and when our company had 
reached the center of the river, I gave two lusty crows, seeing Gen- 
eral Hancock and staff waiting on the bank of the opposite side. 
Hancock smiled and said, "Be careful, old Shanghai, or you will lose 
your tail before you get back." The General was not far wrong in 
liis prediction, as the Shanghai was slightly wounded at Ohancellors- 
ville, lost his feather and was not heard to crow again until he had 
recuperated from his defeat. 



896 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

PART VIII. 

By John C. Sowers, Cotnpany C. 

As I undertake to write a short sketeli for our history after a 
lapse of fortyone years, altogether from memory, the past like a 
grand panoramic view passes before me. In imagination I stand 
on that beautiful morning August 26, 1862, with other boys who had 
enlisted with R. M. Forster, on Main Street of Agricultural Col- 
lege, as it was then called, listening to words of patriotism and cheer 
from Doctor Pugh, then president of the College. The mother's 
lingering kiss had been bestowed ; the father's blessing had been 
received, the sad farewell of loved ones taken, the good-bye had been 
said, when we went to Bellefonte in conveyances of different varieties 
where we were joined by others who had enlisted with W. H. Bible 
and Prank Stevenson. In the afternoon we were examined in the 
basement of the court house by Doctor Potter. In the evening we 
elected R. M. Porster, Captain; W. H. Bible, Pirst Lieutenant; 
and Prank Stevenson, Second Lieutenant, and at no time did the 
boys ever regret their choice. August 27th we were mustered into 
the United States service for three years. Then we started for Har- 
risburg and arrived on the morning of the 28th. I shall never forget 
that breakfast. It consisted of a large round hard tack, a slice of 
salt pork and tin cup of black coffee. The letters "B. C." were 
stamped on the hard tack. One of the boys after a fruitless effort 
trying to bite or break it, said, "No wonder it is so hard ; it was 
baked before Christ." 

The organization of the Regiment was completed on the 7th 
of September and on the 8th we landed at Cockeysville, Maryland. 
It was there our actual soldier life began. Squad drill, company 
and battalion drill, camp guard, guarding the Northern Central Rail- 
road, dress parade, weekly and monthly inspection, all under the 
sharp eye of our Colonel, and the man or boy who came under his 
scrutiny without clothes carefully brushed, shoes polished, buttons 
and brasses brightened up, was indeed to be pitied. I am at thi? 
late day fully satisfied that if we didn't earn our thirteen dollars per 
month it was because the days were too short. 



THE 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 897 

One illustratioM, I think, will show how strict our Colonel was 
and I know of many boys who had similar experiences. After we 
joined the Army of the Potomac in December, 1862, while out on 
picket, I tore the little button off the side of my cap. I fastened the 
strap with a pin, fully intending to sew the button on as soon as we 
got back to camp, but when we arrived there I was tired and lay 
down to rest and fell asleep and the first thing I heard was the drum 
for dress parade. After our company was formed in line on our 
company street I thought of the button. As I was on the front rank 
I changed places with my file closer, telling him if I went out with 
that button off the Colonel will scold. Everything was passing off 
nicely, but just before he turned the Regiment over to the Adju- 
tant he pointed with his sword to the left of the Regiment and in 
that stern voice which we so much dreaded he said, "You Company 
B man, I want you to go to your quarters and sew that button on 
your coat" — then pointing to me — "and you, Company C man, it 
I see you out again witli that button off your cap, I'll send you to the 
guard house." I am glad to say, however, that that was the only time 
he ever had occasion to reprimand me. 

My brother Henry at all times could be heard singing, "My 
name is Joe Bowers — I have a brother Ike." He was nicknamed 
Joe Bowers and today while no doubt some have forgotten Henry, 
they have a distinct recollection of Joe Bowers. 

W. H. IN'orris was one of those genial, whole-souled fellows so 
seldom met with — always a kind word and a cheery smile. If he 
could play a harmless joke on anyone he was in his element. One 
day he was on guard at the Colonel's quarters. The Colonel came 
out for an armful of wood and just as the Colonel rose up with his 
wood, Norris, who had so timed his steps came from the other end 
of his beat and promptly came to a present arms. The Colonel 
dropped his wood and raised his cap, returning the salute. ISTorris, 
coming to a shoulder arms, resumed his march. The Colonel gath- 
ered up his wood and made haste to get in his tent before ISTorris 
came back. Poor fellow, he was killed at Chancellorsville. 

George Osman was another peculiar character — always in a 
good humor, no matter how arduous the duty, it was willingly and 



898 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

cheerfully performed. From the date of his enlistment till the day 
of his death, July 2, 1863, at Gettysburg, I don't think he ever 
uttered one word of complaint. 

Lemuel H. Osman, who has written an interesting ehaptei 
was known in the company as the Assistant Quartermaster. It was 
a cold day when Lem or any of his tent mates were without rations 
of some kind so long as there were any supplies to be had at the Irish 
Brigade Commissary. 

On the 3d of May I was wounded at Chancellorsville, shot 
through right breast and shoulder. The bullet is still lodged some- 
where. I was in the hospital at Washing-ton for a month. From 
tliere I was sent to Satterlee Hospital Philadelphia, which I think 
was one of the best hospitals in the United States. In September. 
1863, a general medical examination was held by the medical di- 
rector, assisted by three other doctors. I was pronounced unfit for 
duty and had my choice of taking my discharge or be transferred 
to the so-called Veteran Reserve Corps. I chose the latter and was 
transferred from Company C, 148th Regiment to 57th Company, 
Second Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps by General Order Xo. 36.5, 
Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D. C, Is'ovember 13, 1863. 
In this organization I served till expiration of term of service. Our 
duty was of various kinds but of such a character as men not fit for 
field duty could do. Our Captain, William Brian, had lost his left 
leg; our Lieutenant, M. Walter, had his right foot off. He had 
been a Lieutenant in the Pennsylvania Reser\'es. Our Orderly Ser- 
geant had lost one arm. I think if my memory serves me right 
there were seven men in the company that had lost an arm, four liad 
lost an eye. All were more or less disabled from wounds, yet I think T 
can say we all served faithfully, doing our duty cheerfully. Our 
officers were good and kind but strict as regarded military duty, i 
was discharged in August, 1865, but my home coming was sad on 
account of the mother who in 1862 had kissed me and blessed me 
when I went away had been called home to her final reward. 

In conclusion to the comrades of old Company C, may God 
grant you a long increase of happy years, and when the evenin<< 
shall come on, when the march is done and darkening twilight grows 
apace, may the memories of your rounded life be as happy and 
pleasant as your past deeds were noble and brave. 



OFFICIAL EFFORTS AND ORDERS. 

Under this head will be found substantially all of the reports 
and orders from the official Rebellion records relating to the Regi- 
ment, except such as have been heretofore quoted in the stories of the 
comrades. 

Report of Col. James A. Beaver, 148th Pennsylvania Infantry. 
Near Centerville, Virginia, October 17, 1863. 

Captain : In accordance with directions received ttiiiough 
your headquarters this morning, I have the honor to submit the fol- 
lowing report of the part taken by this Regiment in the operations 
of the 14tli instant, being field officer of the day. 

On the morning of the 14th, the Regiment was commanded by 
Major George A. Fairlamb, by whom I am informed that the Regi- 
ment left the place at which it bivouacked, on the night of the 13th at 
5:00 A. M., crossed one of tlie tributaries of the Occoquan, formed 
line, and stacked arms on a hill near Auburn Mills. Permission 
was given to cook breakfast, skirmishing being then going on to our 
left and rear. 

While breakfast was being cooked the enemy opened with an 
enfilading fire, at very short range on our right, from a battery 
which had been observed, but was supposed to belong to our own 
forces. The Regiment was immediately formed and moved b}' the 
left flank so as to secure the cover of the hill on our left. The enemy 
opening on our rear with another battery on the other side of the 
run, we moved by the riglit flank, bringing up the rear of the Brigade 
as it advanced to the road leading to Catlett's Station. Although ex- 
posed to heavy artillery fire for almost one hour, our loss was but two 
men wounded. 

Having withdrawn the pickets and crossed the run, I rejoined 
my Regiment and took command Avhile the shelling was still going 
on. Having reached a position near Catlett's Station, I was ordered 
to report with my command to Colonel Kelly, co-mmanding the Sec- 
ond Brigade, who ordered me into a position supoorting his Brigade, 
which was deployed as skirmishers. Being relieved bv the cavalry, 
the Regiment rejoined the Brigade, and moved with it without in- 
cident until within a mile of Bristoo Station. Artillery and musket 
fire being heard in our front, we immediately took the double quick- 
step and advanced to the support of the forces already engaged. 

As we neared the station our forces were observed advancing 
at a charge, and a line of the enemy was just emerging from the 
woods on their flank. We immediately moved by the left flank, 



900 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

which brought us in line facing the line of the enemy, and advanced 
across the railroad. We were halted immediately, however, and 
ordered to recross to the south side of the railroad, which being there 
formed by a high embankment, afforded excellent shelter from the 
fire of the enemy. An artillery fire passed over our heads, in reply- 
ing to which our batteries wounded Sergeant Barr, of Company B, 
so as to compel the amputation of his right arm. 

Firing ceased at dark, and at 10 :00 p. m. we took up our lino 
of march with the column, leaving a detail of twenty men which had 
been deployed as skirmishers in our front. This detail reached us 
safely after crossing Bull Run. 

I enclose a list of the wounded and missing. The missing are 
all men who were unable to march and may be with the wagon train. 

I have the honor to be, Caj)tain, very respectfully, your obedient 
servant, 

James A. Beaver^ 
Colonel lJ/.8th Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

Captain S. R. Beaedsley, 

Acting Assistant Adjutant General. 

(Reb. Rec. Serial No. 48, p. 269.) 



Report of Lieut. Col. George A. Fairlamb, 14Sth Pennsylvania 

Infantry. 

Headquarters 148th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 

December 3, 1863. 

Captain : In obedience to orders, I have the honor to report 
the part taken in the recent movement of the 148th Regiment under 
my command. 

At six in the morning, 26th of November, we broke oamp near 
Paoli Mills, Culpeper County, Virginia, marched to the Rapidan 
Tii^'or, which we crossed at Germania Ford, and camped for the 
night near Flat Run, Spotsylvania Coimty. Next morning, the 
27th of November, at 7 :00 a. m., the Regiment moved ; one hundred 
and twenty men, under Captain Patterson, were detailed to act as 
flankers to the Brigade. The Regiment was then deployed until 
10:00 a. m. making corduroy roads to enable the artillery to pass, 
after which we began our march to join the Brigade, which we 
reached at 1 :00 r. ]m., on the Orange Court House Road. 

On the 28th, began march at 8 :00 a. m., our flankers joining the 
Regiment. We moved about one and a half miles, taking up a posi- 
tion in line of battle east of Black Walnut Run. November 29th, 
at 5 :30 a. m., we began march, passing Robertson's Tavern, on the 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 901 

plank road, moviug in a southwest direction past tlie white churcn 
(jSTew Hope), and camping for the night on the left of the main 
road leading toward Orange Court House. 

On Monday, 30th of November, we marched at 1 :00 a. m. to rt"- 
lieve Morehead's Brigade, of the Second Division, on picket near 
Verdierville. Companies A, C, D, E, G and K were sent on the 
picket line under command of Major R. II. Forster; Company I, 
under Lieutenant MoGuire, was sent forward to relieve a portion 
of the 28th Massachusetts, the remainder of the Regiment camping 
about tliree hundred yards eastward of the skirmish line. 

December 1, Companies H, B and F were ordered, in the eve- 
ning, with several companies of the 52d New York Regiment, to 
relieve the picket line. At 7 :00 p. m. the other companies came in 
with Major Forster, and at eight we marched with the Brigade, 
reaching Culpeper Ford, on the Rapidan River, at seven o'clock the 
next morning, 2d of December. After crossing we halted an hour 
on the north side of the river, then moved with the Brigade, and ar 
sunset arrived at our old camp near Paoli Mills. 

Though the Regiment was much exposed on the skirmish line, 
no casualties occurred. 

All of which I have the honor to report. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

George A. Fairlamb, 

Lieutenant Colonel IJfStJi Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
Commanding. 

Capt. Samuel R. Beardsley^ 

Assistant Adjutant General. 

(Reb. Rec. Serial No. 48, p. 713.) 



Report of Flags Captured by the Second Army Corps from May 4 
to November 1, 1864. 

No. Regiment from Datb of By Whom Rank Regiment 

WHICH CAPTDKED CAPTURE CAPTDRKD 

3 Unknown. May 12. Geo. W. Harris. Private. 148th Pa. 

Vol. 
(Reb. Rec. Serial 67, p. 348.) 

— 8th N. Carolina May 12 Robert W. Ammerman. Private. 148th Pa. 

Vol. 
(Reb. Rec. Serial 67, p. 1020.) 



902 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Report of Brig. Gen. John R. Brooke, United States Army, com 
manJing Fourth Brigade. 

(SPOTSYLVANIA. ) 

Annapolis, Maryland, Noveinber 1, 18G5. 
* * * The officers and men behaved with great gallantry. I 
would particularly mention Col. James A. Beaver, 148th Penn- 
sylvania, whose Regiment occupied the right of my line and 
the most exposed position, for his great gallantry and tilie 
masterly manner in which he extricated his Regiment from the 
burning woods (which were set on fire by some means 
during the action). During tlie latter part of the action this 
Regiment had to contend with the enemy in front and the 
burning timber in the rear, and at its close were compelled to 
retire through the fire to the opposite or left bank of the Po, there 
being no other path left open. * * * About 9 :00 p. m. of this 
day (11th May) General Barlow sent for me and informed me of 
an attack to be made by the Second Corps on the enemy's works on 
the left of the Sixth Corps, which was to take place at 4 :00 a. m. on 
the following morning, and that our Division would march for that 
point at once. * * * At 4 :35 a. m. the order to advance was 
given, and the Division moved forward steadily in one immense 
mass. About one hundred yards from the enemy's line of works we 
ran over and captured their skirmishers, who surrendered without 
much resistance, and without firing but one shot that I heard. Thus 
far the path lay, first, through a slight thicket, then over an open 
field, with a slight ascent, the extreme left through a forest of tall 
pines (which, however, did not obstruct the march in any material 
manner), then down a gradual declivity to within fifty yards of 
the works, then up a sharp ascent for that distance. The face of tliis 
last ascent was covered by an abatis, through which it was very diffi- 
cult to effect a passage. The enemy was apprised of the attack by 
cheers of some new troops in the Division as we swept over and down 
the last descent, and opened a terrific fire of artillery and musketry 
upon us, notwithstanding which our brave men marched on, and 
dragging away the abatis to effect a passage poured in one irresist- 
ible mass upon them, and after a sharp, short fight, killed and cap- 
tured nearly all who occupied the works. Those who still resisted 
were driven in confusion. Never during the War have I seen such 
desperate fighting. The bayonet was freely used on both sides, the 
enemy fonght dosperately, and nothing but the formation of our 
attack and the desperate valor of onr troops could have carried the 
point. Not a shot was fired by (my) men until they mounted the 
works. The right of my Brigade struck the works about forty yards 
to the right of Ihe angle, tlnis giving n? a great advantage, in sweep- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLrJNIJ VOLUNTEERS 903 

iiig down the line to our left of the angle. After crossing the first 
line I j)ushecl forward in pursuit of the flying enemy. After pro- 
ceeding about five hundred yards, I encountered a second line of 
works with a marsh in its front. Owing to the disorganization of 
my couimand I could not make a determined attack on this line. 
* * * Up to this time many prisoners were taken, among them 
Major General Johnson and Brigadier General Steuart, of the rebel 
!5ervice, who surrendered to officers of my command, General Steuart 
to Colonel Beaver. ^'' ^ '" On the 22d instant no movement except 
a reconnaissance made by Colonel Beaver, with his Regiment, in 
obedience to tlie orders of General Barlow. * * * Col. James 
A. Beaver distinguished himself on every occasion, but most particu- 
larly at the battle of the Po, May 10th, and Spotsylvania, May 
12th. ^ * * Lieut. Col. George A. Fairlamb, 148th Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers, was wounded and captured while gallantly fight- 
ing at Spotsylvania, on the 12tli of May, 

(Reb. Rec. Serial No. 67, pp. 406-414.) 



Reix)rt of Capt. James F. Weaver, 148th Pennsylvania Infantry. 
Headquarters 148th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 

August 9, 1864. 
Lieutenant : In obedience to Special Orders No. 209, head- 
quarters Army of the Potomac, I have the honor to submit the fol- 
lowing report : 

FIRST EPOCH. 

Regiment broke camp near Stevensburg, Virginia, on the evening 
of the 3d of May, and crossed the Rapidan at Ely's Ford about seven 
o'clock on the morning of the 4th and reached the old Chancelloi's- 
ville battlegTound about eleven o'clock the same day. Remained in 
line of battle during the 4th, and until about nine o'clock of the 5th, 
when Regiment again moved forward, and about three o'clock in 
the afternoon two companies (B and D) were deployed as skir- 
mishers along the railroad in front of their Brigade. During the 
night the Regiment moved to the right^ and did not become engaged. 
On the morning of the 6th pickets were relieved and rejoined Bri- 
gade. No casualties. The Regiment was moved rapidly to the left 
to guard against an attack at that point. Remained there until 
about three o'clock and then moved again to the right. On the 7th 
Companies A, 0, I and G on picket. One man killed. On the 8th 
marched to Todd's Tavern, near Spotsylvania Court House. On the 
9th was the first regiment to cross the Po River, and in the skirmish 
of that afternoon had one man killed and one officer and four men 



904 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

wounded. During the lOtli the Regiment was constantly on the 
move, taking up during the day some ten different position^. At 
three o'clock in the afternoon a severe engagement with the enem_y 
began, the Regiment being in the open field, while the enemy were 
concealed behind works. The contest lasted some hours, during 
^^hichwe lost in killed, eighteen enlisted men; wounded, three officers 
and one hundred and thirty-five enlisted men ; missing, twelve en- 
listed men. The Regiment was withdrawn and recrossed the river 
in the evening. 

SECOND EPOCH. 

About nine o'clock on the evening of the 11th the Regiment 
moved to the left. The night being dark and the roads muddy, the 
nuireh was fatiguing. Halted at 2:00 a. m. the 12th, massed the 
Regiment, and lay down to rest. At 4:00 a. m. the Regiment with 
its Brigade charged the enemy's works scaling them handsomely and 
carrying everything before them, capturing four battle flags. The 
rebel General Steuart surrendered his sword to Colonel Beaver, who 
was then in command of and gallantly leading his Regiment. Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Fairlamb w^as wounded and captured. The Regi- 
ment was then moved to the right in the column, supporting the 
Sixth Corps. Here it was again engaged in a severe unisketry fight. 
Casualties of the day: Killed, sixteen enlisted men ; wounded, three 
commissioned officers and seventy-eight enlisted men ; missing, eleven 
enlisted men. The Regiment was not further engaged during the 
operations in front of that position except on picket duty. 

THIRD EPOCH. 

May 23d, Regiment moved to the left and after a hard march 
reached the ISJ^orth Anna River at 4:00 p. m. 

On the 24tJ'i crossed the river but did not become engaged. Late 
in the evening the Regiment moved forward along the railroad and 
formed line to the right, under fire from the enemy's batteries. No 
casualties. Put up works during the night and remained in from 
during the 25th and 26th, recrossing the river on the 20th after dark. 

FOURTH EPOCH. 

Regiment moved to the left about 11 :00 a. m. and marched until 
11:00 p. M. and bivouacked for the night. On the morning 
of the 28th moved forward and crossed the Pamnnkey at 
2 :00 p. M. and bivouacked for the night, after having thrown 
up works about one and a half miles from the river. Re- 
mained quiet until the 29th, when again moved cautiously 
forward. In afternoon Company B was sent forward to ascertain 
the enemy's position. After moving about a mile they encountered 
some rebel pickets, who fled without resistance. The Regiment and 



THE 148TH PENNSYLf'JNIJ J'OLUNTEERS 905 

Brigade then came up and the entire Kegiment was advanced to 
ascertain the whereabouts of the enemy. Moved forward a short 
distance, when the enemy poured a volley into the Regiment and 
threw a few shells, not doing any damage, however, and fled precipi- 
tately. The Regiment was tlien ordered to retire as both flanks were 
exposed and danger was apprehended of a flank movement on the 
left. Bivouacked for the night in the thick woods. On the after- 
noon of the 30th advanced a mile and halted under cover of a hill. 
At sundown tlie order came to fall in. The Regiment advanced over 
an open field supporting the (7th) New York Heavy Artillery. 
After nightfall retired to the crest of the hill and put up strong 
earthworks; remained in same position until dark on the 31st; 
moved forward a short distance, crossed the Totopotomoy Creek and 
again erected works. Regiment remained in same position during 
the next day. Casualties on picket during 31st of May and 1st of 
June : Killed, one enlisted man ; wounded, eight enlisted men ; 
missing, one enlisted man. At eight o'clock on the night of the 1st 
again moved to the left and marched all night, halting in front of 
Cold Harbor on the morning of the 2d. During the day the Regi- 
ment advanced its left wing, deployed as skirmishers ; the right wing 
remained in support until near evening, when it was also deployed to 
strengthen the picket line. A little after dark the left battalion was 
relieved and the line held by the right wing. On the morning of the 
3d the skirmish line advanced and drove in the enemy's pickets. The 
Regiment, in conjunction "with the Brigade, moved forward and 
charged the enemy's works and took their position, but were compelled 
to retire a short distance, where, under cover of a hill, the Regiment 
erected works. During the afternoon were exposed to severe sliell- 
ing by the enemy, but held the works erected until the forces were 
withdrawn on the evening of the 12th. Casualties during the oper- 
ations at Cold Harbor: Killed, one commissioned officer, six en- 
listed men ; wounded, one commissioned officer and forty-three en- 
listed men. 

(Reb. Rec. Serial No. 67, p. 427.) 

FIFTH EPOCH. 

Moved immediately to the left after nightfall June 12th, 
marched all night, and crossing the Chickahominy at Long Bridge 
about 9:00 a. m. on the 13th reached the James River at Wilcox's 
Landing. The march was very rapid and harassing on the men ; 
they were much exhausted. Bivouacked for the night. Remained 
quiet during the next day. 

On the night of the 14th were conveyed across the river on 
transports. Moved a few miles and bivouacked for the night, where 



906 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

we remained until 12 m. of the 15tli, tlien made a rapid march to- 
ward Petersburg, and about two o'clock halted in front of the town. 

On the morning of the 16th moved to the left and went into 
position; greater part of the Kegiment on picket line. In the eve- 
ning advanced and attacked the enemy's works, but were repulsed. 
Casualties : Colonel Beaver was severely wounded ; killed, three 
enlisted men ; wounded, three commissioned officers and six enlisted 
men ; missing, ten enlisted men. 

On the 17th the Eegiment moved to the right and occupied front 
works. 

On the 18th Major Forster was severely wounded while in com- 
mand of the skirmish line. About 9 :00 p. m. on the 20th was re- 
lieved by the Ninth Corps and returned a short distance to camp in 
the rear. 

June 21st, moved to the left of the general line and, taking posi- 
tion near the Weldon Railroad, put up works. Another line of work? 
was erected during the night. Remained in the last-named position 
until eleven o'clock of the 22d, when the Regiment moved foi-ward 
into the road in front of our works and formed a line. This posi- 
tion had not been held for more than an hour before the enemy came 
in upon our left flank and rear. The brigade on the left and the 
left of the Fourth Brigade gave way in confusion. Colonel Fraser. 
commanding brigade, gave orders to move in as good order as pos- 
sible and occupy the works alluded to above. The enemy pressed 
our rear and flank severely, advancing rapidly and pouring a galling 
fire into the rear of the column. After gaining the works the Regi- 
ment was reformed and was ordered in reserve. Late in the evening 
the Regiment was ordered to report to Lieutenant Colonel Broady, 
Division ofiicer of the day, who deployed it in front of the works 
and ordered it to advance into the road. Moved some four hundred 
yards and were halted, where the line remained until morning, when 
they were advanced within sight of the enemy's works. 

On the 24th the Regiment rejoined the Brigade inside the 
works, where it remained until the 12th of July, when it again moved 
to the left, leveling the works ]>rior to leaving. During the day occu- 
pied works put up by Sixth Corps. lu the evening advanced about 
three miles on the Jerusalem Plank Road ; remained until midnight, 
and then returned to position occupied during the day previous. 

On the morning of the 13th moved to the right .'some six or eight 
miles, whore we remained until the 26th, when we marched in the 
direction of City Point. Crossed the Appomattox at Point of Rocki^ 
and the James River at Jones' Neck and bivouacked on the north 
aide of the river under cover of a wood. 

At seven o'clock advanced in line of battle ; took position under 
the crest of a hill. The Regiment was then deployed as skirmishers 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 907 

to protect the right flank. The enemy here threw a number of shells. 
Tn about an hour rejoined Regiment. During the afternoon the Regi- 
ment deployed as flankers, but as the connections were couipletc it 
rejoined the Brigade. During the evening advanced and took up a 
new position in the wood. Heavy firing on the right of the line 
caused a rapid move in that direction but soon returned. Reginieiir 
went on picket in the evening, and did not rejoin Brigade until the 
next evening. Put up strong works and remained there until the 
evening of tie 29th, when Regiment again recrossed the James and 
Appomattox at points above mentioned. Marched all night and by 
5 :00 A. M. of the SOtli were in rear of the Eighteenth Corps. 

On the evening of the 30th moved to the right and occupied 
the camp occupied prior to our advance over the James River. 

I have the honor to be. Lieutenant, very respectfully, your 
obedient servant, 

James F. Weaver, 
Captain 14.8th Pennsylvania Volunteers, Commanding Regiment. 

Lieut. J. W. Muffly, 

Acting Assistant Adjutant Oeneral, Fourth Brigade, First Di- 
vision, Second Arm,y Corps. 

(Reb. Rec. Serial No. 80, p. 363.) 



Headquarters Fourth Brigade, First Division, Second Corps, 

May 13, 1864. 
Major J. Hancock, 

Assistant Adjutant General. 
Sir: I have the honor to report that my Brigade entered the 
works of the enemy, in which T counted sixteen pieces of artillery, 
and took an immense number of prisoners, among whom were Major 
General Johnson and Brigadier General Steuart. I also forward the 
reports of the regimental commanders who made the capture of 
colors and officers (Generals). T also have the honor to forward the 
flag captured by the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Respectfully, your obedient servant, 

John R. Brooke, 
Colonel, Commanding Brigade. 

(Reb. Rec. Serial No. 68, p. 710.) 



Headquarters Second Array Corps, 
Camp near Petersburg, November 10, 1864. 
General : I have the honor to submit the following report of 
the operations of ray coramand on the 25th, 26tli, 27th and 28th 
ultimo: * * * 



908 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

The re]X)i-ts uf coiiniiaiKlers are forwarded herewith. For the 
operations of General Miles I respectfully refer to his report, as he 
was not under my immediate command. It will be seen that he w^as not 
idle, though holding a line several miles in length, with but a little 
over six thousand men. G*!! the night of the 27th he carried one of 
the enemy's forts near the crater with a storming party of the 148th 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, led by Captain Browai, of that Regiment, 
and Lieutenant Price, of the 116th Pennsylvania Volunteers, Act- 
ing Assistant Adjutant General of Mulholland's Brigade. Lieuten- 
ant Price was unfortunately killed. This party held the work for a 
short time, capturing several prisoners, including two field ofiicers, 
but were finally obliged to retire, as the enemy concentrated against 
them, and General Miles had not the troops at his disposal to pursue 
his advantage. On the same night he captured a part of the enemy's 
picket line, on the Jerusalem Plank Road, holding it for two or three 
hours, and retiring at leisure. Lieutenant Colonel Burke, 88th New 
York Volunteers, is highly commended for his good conduct on this 
occasion. lie had oomniand of the attacking party. Capt. Jerry 
Brown, 14-8th Pennsylvania Volunters, is recommended for promo- 
tion by brevet to the rank of Major for the gallant manner in which 
he led the storming party from the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

A tabular statement of casualties is hereto appended. 

T am. General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

WiNFiELD S. Hancock, 
Major General of Volunteers. 
Bkig. Gen. S. Williams, 

Assistant Adjutant General, Army of the Potomac. 

(Reb. Rec. Serial No. 87, p. 237.) 



Headquarters First Division, Second Army Corps, 

x\ugust 30, 1864. 

Captain : I have the honor to submit the following report of 
the operations of this Division from August 22 to August 26, 1864: 
* * * ]yj;y troops could not fill the works on the right, but in the 
center the line was strong, Lieutenant Colonel Broady having one- 
regiment, the 148tli Pennsylvania, in reserve. * * * 

The 148tli Pennsylvania was quickly advanced as skirmishers, 
and took a few prisoners of Wilcox's Division of Hill's Corps. 
Soon after another vigorous attack was made in front of the 
Fourth Brigade, which was handsomely repulsed. * * * 1 then 
rode down the line of the Fourth Brigade, ordering it to move toward 
the right and hold the rifle pit. These troojis w-ere then fighting 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA rOLUNTEERS 909 

gallantly, their Brigade eommiander, Lieutenant Colonel Broady, 
being conspicuous, encouraging and directing his men. * * * 
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 

ISTelson a. Miles, 
Brigadier General, Commanding Division. 
Capt. W. p. Wilson, 

Acting Assistant Adjutant General, Second Army Corps. 
(Reb. Rec. Serial IS^o. S7, pp. 251, 252, 253.) 



Headquarters First Division, Second Army Corps, 

October 30, 1864. 

Major : 1 have the honor to submit the following report of the 
operations of this Division during the recent movements: 

Reports of signal stations, pickets and officers on the line indi- 
cated that the enemy had left a force in his works smaller than ray 
own. To determine his strength I directed demonstrations on two 
points of his lines, namely, a work opposite Fort Morton near the 
Crater, and his picket line opposite Fort Sedg-^vick. Just at dark 
one hundred men of the 148th Pennsylvania, under command ol 
Capt. J. Z. Brown, went over our work in front of Fort Morton, 
across the space, about forty paces to the enemy's work, cutting 
through his chevaux-de-frise with axes, and into the work. No shots 
were fired from this point, but a sharp fire was opened with musketry 
on the right and left. Arriving in the work, the enemy's troops left 
it, with the exception of four officers and thirteen enlisted men, who 
were taken prisoners. * Among them were the Colonel, Lieutenant 
Colonel and one Lieutenant of the 46th Virginia, and a Lieutenant 
of the 34th Virginia. A regiment of the enemy, who had entered a ' 
work on the enemy's right of the one thus occupied, immediately 
charged into it and, by force of superior numbers, our men were 
driven out, fighting gallantly. Supports were on their way, bi<t 
could not reach them before they had been driven out. ^'^ * * 
Lieut. Col. D. F. Burke, 88th New York; Capt. J. Z. Brown, 148th 
Pennsylvania, and Lieut. Henry D. Price, 116th Pennsylvania, Act- 
ing Aide-de-Camp to the commandant Fourth Brigade, killed and 

left on the field, were conspicuous for their spirit and good conduct. 
* * * * 

I have the honor to be. Major, very res]">ectfully, your obedient 
servant, 

Nelson A, Miles, 
Brigadier General, Commanding. 
Major Septiimus Carncross, 

Assistant Adjutant General, Second Army Corps. 

(Reb. Rec. Serial No. 87, ]^]\ 254, 255.) 



910 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Report of Capt. Alfred A. Rhineliart, 148th Pennsylvania Infantrj, 

<>f operations August 13tli to 20tli. 

Headquarters 148tli Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
September 28, 1864. 

Lieutenant : In compliance with existing orders, I have the 
honor to submit the following report of the operations of this Regi- 
ment August 13th to 20th, inclusive: 

The Regiment embarked, with a portion of the 7th i^ew York 
Heavy Artillery, during the afternoon of the 13th, and according to 
the general plan was carried down stream some distance. When the 
transports carrying the ('or]>s moved up stream the one upon which 
the Regiment had embarked was found to be aground, and was not 
got off until about 9 :00 a. m. on the 14th inst. The command was 
tJien carried up the James and landed on its north bank, opposite 
Jones' Neck. After rejoining the Brigade the command immediately 
advanced to the front and took up position in rear of and supporting 
a portion of the Second Division, Second Army Corps. While on 
this line the Regiment was subject to a raking fire from the enemy's 
artillery. Late in the evening the Regiment was put upon the 
picket line in front of this position aud was not relieved until the 
morning of the 16th. About noon of the 16th the command moved 
to the right to the support of the Tenth Corps. The Regiuient was 
almost immediately afterward put upon picket. On the morning 
of the 18th the Regiment was detached from the Brigade and sen\ 
to the right to hold a road upon which the enemy threatened to ad- 
vance. Tn the evening of the same day the command moved down 
on the New Market Road toward the left, and immediately on the right 
of the Second Division, and constructed breastworks, which were 
quietly occupied until the evening of the 20th, when the command 
recrossed the James River. 

The casualties of this movement were as follows: August 14, 
three enlisted men killed, 11 w^ounded ; August 15, ouo enlisted iiinu 
killed, four wounded; August lOth, two enlisted men wounded. 

I have the honor to be, Lieutenant, very respectfully, your 
obedient servant, 

Alfred A. Rhine hart, 
Captain, U/Sih Pcnusi/Iranin Vohinfeers. Commanding Regiment. 

Lieut. J. Wendul Muffi.y, 

Acting Asaislani Adjutant General. Fourth Brigade. First Di- 
vision. Second Army Corps. 

CRr^h. Rec. Serial No. 87, p. 28.^..) 



THE 148TH PENSSYU'ANIA rOLUNTEERS 911 

Keport of Capt. James F. Weaver, l-iStli Pennsylvania Infantry, 
of operations August 22d to 27th. 

Headquarters 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers, 

August 29, 1864. 

Captain : In accordance with existing orders, 1 have the 
honor to submit the following report of the operations of the 14Sth 
Pennsylvania Volunteers from the 22d instant to the 27th instant, 
inclusive : 

On the 22d the Regiment moved with the Brigade to and occu- 
pied the Wcldon liailroad, on the left of the Fifth Corps. During 
the afternoon of that day my oonimand was engaged with its Brigade 
tearing up and destroying the road. This destruction of the road 
was continued on the 23d. At sundown of that day the Regiment 
deployed as skirmishers in front of the Brigade, immediately on the 
north side af Reams Station, supporting an advanced line of infantry 
skirmishers and the cavalry skirmish line, during the spirited en- 
gagement of pickets on the evening of the 23d. On the 24th the 
Regiment, less a large picket detail which left it on the evening of 
the 23d, made a reconnaissance along the railroad in tlie direction of 
Stony Creek, a distance of some three miles, and returned to the 
Brigade at Reams Station the same night. Through the forenoon 
of the 25th my command lay quietly in the intrenehments just south 
of the station. At 12 m. 1 moved rapidly off to the left and took 
post on the right of our Brigade, the Brigade being the extreme left 
of our line. Before we got fairly into position the whole command 
was ordered to march at double-quick to the station on the right of 
the line. My Regiment was then ]>ut under the immediate orders 
of General Miles, commanding the Division. Captain Sutton with 
his company (E) was reported to Lieutenant Black, division staft, 
for duty as sharpshooters. He was sent to the front and occupied a 
house near the picket line. When the line was driven back he was 
compelled to retire as rapidly as possible to save his command. The 
Regiment was then ordered to cross the railroad and support the 
Third Brigade. In a few minutes I was ordered to deploy the regi- 
ment as skirmishers and advance it to drive back the rebel pickets 
and sharpshooters in front of the Fourth Brigade. This was done, 
and the Regiment advanced a considerable distance under the 
eiiemy's severe fire. The enemy's pickets were driven back until the 
Regiment came upon their line of battle and was compelled to retire 
behind our works. \ few moments af tervvard the enemy charged our 
line. The Regiment was engaged in their repulse. A half hour later 
the Regiment was ordered to the right of the Third Brigade, where 
they were engaged during the terrible hand to hand fight which en- 
sued. The enemv advanced, notwithstandinjr the irallinfl: fire thev 



912 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

received, up to the works, and mounting the intrenchnients were met 
by the command. The men in many instances knocked their assail- 
ants down with the butts of their guns, and only retired when the 
right and left flanks were completely overpowered and the enemy not 
only had possession of the works, but occupied the railroad. The 
command fell back beyond the church at this point and reformed. 
During the day the Regiment lost one commissioned officer and four 
enlisted men killed, nineteen enlisted men wounded, and forty-two 
enlisted men missing. During the night fell back to the Williams 
House; remained there during the day, and on the 2Tth moved to 
the right and went into camp, where the Regiment is at the present 
time. 

I have the honor to be. Captain, very respectfully, your obedient 
servant, 

James F. Weaver. 
Captain, JJfSlh Pennsi/Iraiiin Volunteers, Commandlnri JRegiment, 
Capt. a. R. Chase, 

Acting Assistant Adjutant General, Fourth, Brigade. First Di- 
vision, Second Corps. 

(Reb. Rec. Serial Js^o. 87, p. 28G.) 



(Confederate Records.) 

Headquarters Johnson's Division, 
Petersburg, Virginia, October 28, 1864. 

See the story of General Mulholland, page 56. 
(Reb. Rec. Serial N"o. 87, p. 906.) 



Headquarters Second Army Corps, 
November 8, 1864. 
Ghn. G. G. Meadk : The following is the result of today's elec- 
tion in the First Division of this Corps : "' * ""^ 148th Pennsyl- 
vania, Lincoln, 127; McClellan, 72. " " ^' 

WiNFiELD S. Hancock, 

Major General. 
(Reb. Rec. Serial No. 89, p. 561.) 



Headquarter-; First Di\ision, Second Army Corps, 

December 1. 1864. 
Major Septimus Carncross, 

As:.<iista)il Adjutant General, Second Army Corps. 
Major: I have the honor to report the following commanding 
officers of the garrisons of the forts upon the line of this Division 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 913 

and I he Regiment from which each garrison is furnished: -5^ -^ * 
Fort Gregg, seventy-five men of 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
Capt. J airies F. Weaver commanding ; Fort Sampson, seveniy-five 
men of 148th Pennsylvania Vohmteers, Capt. A. A. Rhinehart com- 
manding. Very respectfully, 

I^. A. Miles, 
Brigadier General, Connnandinr/. 



Special Orders jSio. 309. 

Headquarters Second Army Corps, 
Peebles' House, Before Petersburg, Virginia, 

December 5, 1864. 
* * * * * * * * 

4. The Major General commanding the Army of the Potomac, 
having received medals of honor for the under-mentioned men of 
this command, proposes to present these medals in person. Accord- 
ingly, the regiments to which these medals belong will be marched 
to the vicinity of these headquarters, and formied on ground to be 
designated by a staff officer, with the men who are to receive th^ 
medals in front, at the hour of 12:00 m. tomorrow, at which timt 
the presentations will be made. Division and brigade commanders 
are invited to be present. 

FIRST DIVISION. 

Private George W. Harris, Company B, 148th Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 

By order of Major General Humphreys. 

Septimus Carncross, 
Assistant Adjutant General. 

(Reb. Rec. Serial No. 89, p. 812.) 



(Circular.) 

Headquarters Fourth Brigade, First Division, Second Army Corps, 

December 7, 1864. 
The command, except the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers, will 
be held in readiness to move at brief notice. Regimental command- 
ers will see that their men are supplied with sixty rounds of ammu- 
nition on their persons. In the event of a movement the command- 
ing officer of the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers will at once report 
to Colonel Nugent, commanding Second Brigade. 
By order of Colonel Mulholland. 

J. Wendel Muffly, 
Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant General. 
(Reb. Rec. Serial No. 89, p. 853. 



914 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

General Okdeks No 266. 

Headquarters First Division, Second Army CorDJi, 

December 14, 1864. 
The Brigadier General commanding desires to express his grati- 
fication at the gallant manner in which the passage of Hatcher's Run 
was forced, on the 9th instant, in the face of an intrenched enemy 
and over the obstacles by which he had made it so difficult. " '^ " 
This affair, with that of October 27th, when one hundred men ot 
the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Capt, J. Z. Brown, 
assaulted and captured a fort of the enemy opposite Fort Morton, 
proves that any position can be carried by resolute and determined 
soldiers, led by skillful and gallant officers. Captain Brown's gal- 
lantry has been recognized by promotion to rank of brevet Major. 
* * ' * Wm. E. Driver, 

Major and Assistant Adjutay\t General. 

(Reb. Rec. Serial No. 89, p. 1000.) 



Report of Capt. Alfred A. Rhinehart, 148th Pennsylvania Infantry, 
of operations March 25th. 
Headquarters 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers, 

March 27, 1865. 

Lieutenant: Tn compliance with existing orders, I have t he- 
honor to submit the following report of operations of this command 
on Saturday, the 25th instant: 

Immediately after daylight the Regiment was got under arm., 
and kept in hand in the breastworks until about 3 :30 p. m., when 
orders were given to have the Regiment march out and join the Bri- 
gade, then moving to the front. My command remained with the 
Brigade in support of the picket on the right of the division line. 
and afterward in sup]X)rt of the general line of the division, uiiril 
about 4:15 p. m., when I was directed by Lieutenant Corliss, of the 
Brigade staff, to take my command into an open field, just in rear of 
an old house and barn and to the right of a swamp frontintr the cen- 
ter of the Brigade camps, for the purpose of supporting the picket 
line. I here deployed the line to some extent along a rail fence, 
ordering the men to take down the fence, pile up the rails, and make 
covers of them for themselves. I also directed Captain Sutton, of 
the RegimeTit, to take twelve or fifteen men, armed witli Spencer 
rifles, to the picket line and front as sharpshooters ; with these he 
was enabled to annoy considerably a body of the enemy in a large 
white house just behind their picket line and \\e finally >;ucceeded 
almost entirely in silencing the .sharp shooting kept up from this 
house. At about 5 :00 p. m. the picket reserve in front, being pressed 
by the enemy, came back in confnsion <>n my line. The enemy kept 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 915 

up a rapid fire, and part of mj line on the right and left were thrown 
into confusion ; this was aided by the fact, as some of the men per- 
sistently declare, that an officer repeatedly cried, ''Fall back, men ; 
fall back, men." The whole line was immediately rallied, however, 
and moved forward in a few moments to the old buildings on the crest 
of the hill. Here a constant and rapid fire was kept up on the left 
flank of the enemy's column, attacking; the main line of tlie division 
until dark. The Keg'iment then held position here until about 12:30 
A. M. of the 26th, when orders were received to return to camp. 

During the day 1 lost one man killed, one officer and eight men 
wounded, and one man missing. 

1 am. Lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Alfred A. RiriNEiiART, 
Captain, IJfSth Pennsylvania Volnnteers, Commnndinr/ Regimeni. 
Lieut. S. P. Corliss, 

Acting Assistant Adjutant General, Fourth Brigade. 

(Reb. Eec. Serial Ko. 95, p. 210.) 



Headquarters Second Brigade, First Division, Second Army Corj)?, 

April 16, 1865. 
Lieut. Col. RicuARij A. Brown, 

Acting Assistant Adjutant General, First Division, 
Colonel: Having been informed that the honor of the cap- 
ture of the battle flag taken from the enemy in the charge of this 
Brigade on tlie 2d of April was about to be awarded to an enlisted 
man of the 148th Pennsyh'^ania Volunteers, I beg leave to state that 
the flag was captured by Private Frank Denio, Company M, 4th New 
York Artillery, which fact can be substantiated by Lieut. Col. J. J. 
Smith, OOth New York Volunteers, Lieut. Col. Dennis F. Burke, 
88th New York Volunteers, Capt. John Oldershav/, brigade inspector 
Second Brigade, and Lieut. Charles M. Granger, of my <;taft'. 
I am very respectfully your obedient sei*vant, 

Robert Nugent, 
Colonel, Commanding Brigade. 



(Indorsement.) 

Headquarters First Division, Seenjnd Armv Corps, 

April 16, 1865. 
Respectfull}' returned. 

A careful investigation by the General commanding the Divis- 
ion has elicited the fact that the flag in question was first captured by 
Private Phillips, 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers, thrown down and 



9 1 6 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

passed over by him, and afterwards secured by Private Frank Denio, 
4tli Artillery. 

By command of Brevet Major General Miles: 

Richard A. Brown, 
Lieutenant Colonel and Actinr/ Assistant Adjutant General. 
(Reb. Rec. Serial N'o. 95, p. 726.) 



Report of Capt. John F. Sutton, 148th Pennsylvania Infantry. 

Headquarters 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers, 

April 10, 1865. 

Lieutenant : I have the honor to submit the following report 
of operations of this command from March 29th to this date, in- 
clusive : 

My command broke camp, with its Corps, on the morning of 
the 29th, and marched to the vicinity of the Boydton Plank Road. 
At about 4 :00 p. m. of tliat day the Regiment was placed in support 
of the Brigade skirmish line, connecting with the Fifth Corps on 
the left. The Regiment was gradually deployed on the line as it 
advanced, taking up the interval between the Fifth and Sixth Corps, 
and remained on the skii-mish line throughout tlie night During the 
fjOth the Regiment remained in su]>port of the Brigade, in line of 
battle, near the dirt road, in front of a portion of the enemy's works. 
March 31st, moved to the left with Brigade supporting the Fifth 
Corps. At about 11:30 a. m. the whole Brigade moved in line of 
battle to a position along Gravelly Run, on the left of a Brigade of 
the Fifth Corps, and immediately attacked the enemy's line across 
the Run. After a sharp fight the lino fell back in some confusion, 
but was soon rallied and pushed forward, driving the enemy out. 
Captain Rhinehart, commanding the Regiment, was wounded at this 
juncture, and the command devolved on me. After driving the 
enemy some time the Brigade was reformed in rear of the skirmish 
line, moved some distance to the left, where works were put up and 
the Regiment remained all night in position. 

April Ist, the Brigade moved back to the position from which 
it had advanced on the 31st and remained throughout the day. At 
dark moved to the left and at midnight to the extreme left. In the 
morning, after considerable manoeuvring, it was discovered that the 
enemy's works had been evacuated, and my Regiment, with its Bri- 
gade, was pushed through in pursuit. About noon, the Division 
having been stop]>ed by the enemy's rear guard, on a choice position 
near the Southside Railroad, T was directed by Captain Marlin, of 
the division staff, to deploy Regiment as skirmishers to the fronr 
and our right of tlio enemy's ]K)siti<ui, nnrl immcfUntely T was ordered 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLCJNIJ J'OLUNTEERS 



917 



to charije along- their left tlank. I sueeeeded in reaching the chnreh 
on the dirt road, on the left, and, witli the aid of other portions of 
the Brigade, in driving them out, capturing a number of pris- 
oners, one gun and one battle flag. They were pursued with vigo:- 
until near dark, when the Brigade was taken in. 

During the 3d, 4th and r)th the Regiment marched, with Bri- 
gade, in pursuit of the enemy without incident of any note, and on 
the 6th, with it supporting part of the Division, in the manoeuvres 
which resulted in the capture of part of their train and some artil- 
lery. After reaching High Bridge on the morning of the 7th I was 
ordered to send out my Regiment for the purpose of foraging. The 
Regiment succeeded in securing, in the vicinity of Farmville and 
beyond, about seven head of horses, one hundred and eighty head of 
cattle, fifty head of sheep and forty head of hogs. These, with about 
sixteen hundredweight of bacon, were disposed of as I had been 
ordered; and on the 9th I rejoined the Brigade and moved with it 
to the position now occupied. 

During these operations my command has lost as follows: 





KILLED 


WOUNDED 


MISSING 


TOTAL 


DATE 


0) 

w 




c 


u 

<u 
u 




c 







in 
V 

u 

S£ 






March 30 








1 

34 
4 




1 


3 


1 


March 31 


1 


4 


2 


39 


April 2 


4 


April 7 




1 




1 














Total 


1 


5 


2 39 




1 


3 


45 



I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. F. Sutton, 
Cai>i(un. U^SIJi Pcinisi/lrdiiiti YohDilecrs, Commanding Regiment. 

LtKUT. S. p. CoKT.lSS, 

Acting Assistant Adjutant Gcnerat. 

(Reb. Rec. Serial A^o. 9r>, ]). 754.) 



9 1 8 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

Genkrai. Okdkrs No, 10. 

Jleudquartei-s Army of the Potomac, 
March 7, 18G5. 
Tn accordance with the requirements of General Orders No. 19. 
of 1862, from the War Department, and in conformity with the re- 
ports of boards convened to examine into the services rendered by 
the troops concerned, and by the authority of the Lieutenant Gen- 
eral commanding armies of the United States, it is ordered that there 
shall be inscribed upon the colors or guidons of the following regi- 
ments and batteries serving in this Army the names of tbe battles in 
which they have borne a meritorious part, and as hereinafter speci- 
fied, viz. : * " * 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers — Chancellors- 
ville, Gettysburg, Bristoe Station. ^line Run, Wilderness, Po River, 
Spotsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomoy, Cold Ilarlwr, Petersburg, 
Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom. Reams Station. 

(Reb. Rec. Serial No. 96, p. 8T6.) 






THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 919 

THREE HUNDRED FIGHTING REGIMENTS. 
"Regimental Losses," a work by Col. Wm. F. Fox, of Albany, 
New York, is generally regarded as the most comprehjensive, authentic 
and reliable tabulation of regimental records and statistics. Colonel 
Fox devotes 302 pages of his book to the summaries of the records 
of the three hundred fighting regiments. The quotation here follow- 
ing is from page 302 of that work: 



ONE HUNDRED AND 



FORTY-EIGHTH 
INFANTRY. 



PENNSYLVANIA 



Brooke's Brigade— Barlow's Division — Second Corps. 



Colonel JAMES A. BEAVER; Bvt. Brig. Gen. 







Killed and Di 


ED OF 






Wounds. 


Companies. 








Officers 


Men 


Total 


Field and Staff . . 








Company A . . . 


1 


15 


16 \ 


B 






14 


14 


C 




7 


28 


35 


D 






29 


29 


E 






14 


14 


F 






U 


U 1 


G 






19 


19 


H 




2 


24 


26 


I 




1 


19 


20 


K 




1 


19 


20 

t 

210 


Totals 


12 


198 



Died of Disease, Acgi- I 

DENT, IN Prison, &c. ! 10X3.1 

— "7 1 Enrollment 

Officers Men I Total 



19 
30 
11 
18 
25 
13 
10 
18 
19 
20 



183 i 187 



1 


14 


20 


141 


30 


130 


1 1 


138 


20 


148 


25 


122 


13 


121 


10 


117 


18 


141 


19 


132 


20 


135 



1.339 



210 killed -15.6 per cent 

Total of killed and wounded. 769; died in Confederate prisons (previously 

included! 62. 

Battles. K.&M. W. Battles. K. iM. W. 

Chancellorsville. Va. ... 48 Petersburg, Va. (assault). . 5 

Gettysburg. Pa 31 Siege of Petersburg, Va . . 11 

Wilderness. Va 1 Jerusalem Road. Va. ... 5 

Po River. Va.. May 10. • • 37 Deep Bottom, Va 8 

Spotsylvania. Va.. May 12 . 29 Ream's Station, Va 6 

Spotsylvania. Va.. May 16 . 1 Hatcher's Run, Va 2 

Totopotomoy, Va. . . ■ ■ 2 White Oak Road. Va. ... 7 

Cold Harbor. Va 14 Farmville, Va 2 

Prison guard, Salisbury, N. C. 1 



920 THE STORY OF Ol'R REGIMENT 

Present, also, at Bristoe Station: Mine Run: North Anna: Straw- 
berry Plains: Sutherland Station: Appomattox. 

Notes — Organized at Harrisburg. in September. 1862. seven of 
the companies having been recruited in Centre County. At the 
request of the line officers. James A. Beaver. Lieutenant Colonel of 
the Forty-fifth Pennsylvania, was appointed Colonel. After three 
months of service in Maryland, it joined the Army of the Potomac, 
and was assigned to Caldwell's (1st) Brigade. Hancock's (1st) Divi- 
sion. Second Corps: it remained in this division (First) during its 
entire service. Its first battle occurred at Chancellorsville, where it 
lost 31 killed, 119 wounded, and 14 missing. Colonel Beaver being 
among the severely wounded. General Caldwell commanded the 
Division at Gettysburg, and Colonel Cross (Fifth New Hampshire), the 
Brigade: the loss of the Regiment was 19 killed. 101 wounded, and 5 
missing. It went into winter quarters (1863-4) near Stevensburg. 
Va., receiving in the meanwhile 283 conscripts and 120 recruits, a 
needed accession. It was prominently engaged at Po River and Spot- 
sylvania, where it lost 33 killed. 235 wounded, and 33 missing: total, 
301, the greatest loss of any infantry regiment at Spotsylvania. 
Colonel Beaver, while in command of a brigade, was severely 
wounded at Petersburg. June 16, 1864. He rejoined his Regiment 
just as it was entering the fight at Ream's Station, where he was 
again wounded, and suffered amputation of a leg. In September. 
1864, the War Department ordered that one regiment in each division 
be armed with breech-loading rifles: the 148th was selected by 
General Hancock as the deserving one in its division to be thus 
armed. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 921 

STATISTICS. 

The following pages embody the result of a very sincere effort, 
involving great labor and research, to account for every man mus- 
tered into the Regiment's service. While the showing is not abso- 
lutely complete, it is as nearly so as could be expected after the lapse 
of so many years. The notation on company rosters, "Transferred 
to 53d Pennsylvania Volunteers," indicates that the men w«re 
■ recruits, whose time had not expired, and they completed their serv- 
ice in tlie 53d which had veteranized. 

EOSTER OF FIELD AND STAFF. 

Col. James Addams Beaver — Private, Sergeant and Second Lieu- 
tenant Bellefonte Fencibles prior to the War. First Lieuten- 
ant Company H, 2d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers three 
months service April 21, 1861, to July 26, 1861 ; appointed 
Lieutenant Colonel July 22, 1861 ; assigned to duty at Camp 
Curtin and mustered with 45th Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- 
' imteers October 21, 1861 ; resigned September 4, 1862, to 

accept command 148tli Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers ; 
I joined Regiment for duty September 6, 1862 ; mustered at 

j Cockeysville October 8, 1862; re-mustered 1863, as of Sep- 

tember 8, 1862. 

Wounded through the body Chancellorsville May 3, 1863; 
in right hip at Cold Harbor June 3, 1864; in left side by 
fragment of shell in first assault on Petersburg June 16, 
1864; in right thigh, with loss of leg, at Ream Station Aug- 
ust 25, 1864. 

Breveted Brigadier General United States Volunteers for 
meritorious and distinguished services during the campaigni 
of 1864, especially in command of a brigade (Fourth Brigade, 
First Division, Second Army Corps) at Cold Harbor June 
3, 1864. 

December 22, 1864, mustered out at his own request on 
account of wounds received in battle. 

Resides at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. 
Lteut. Col. Robert McFarlane — Captain Company H 7th Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania Volunteers three months April 22, 1861, 
to .July, 1861. Recruited G Company 148th Pennsylvania 
Volunteers; promoted from Captain G Company on organiza- 
tion of Regiment. 

Typhoid fever winter of 1862-1863 ; sent to his home and 
returned to Regiment before he was fit for service; did not 
fully recover during his service and was discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate of disability November 4. 1863. 

Died at Bellefonte, Pennsvlvania. 



922 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Lieut, Col. George Asiibridge Jb'AiKLAMB — Kecruited and was 
made Captain of Company H, 148tli Eegiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers; elected Major at organization of Regiment; 
Lieutenant Colonel November 15, 1863. 

Wounded at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863 ; 
wounded seriously at Spotsylvania Court House May 12, 
1864, where lie was captured in advance of the Regiment; 
prisoner May 12, 1864, to September 22, 1864. 

Discharged on surgeon's certificate of disability February 
24, 1865. 

Resides Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. 

Lieut. Col. James Frederick Weaver — Recruited Company B ; 
appointed Second Lieutenant to recruit company ; Captain 
Company B on its organization September 1, 1862 ; Major 
March 7, 1865 ; Lieutenant Colonel May 15, 1865 ; commis- 
sioned Colonel June 1, 1865 ; not mustered because Regimeui 
was below minimum standard. 

Wounded Po River May 9, 1864. 

Mustered out with Regiment, June, 1865. 

Died at Milesburg, Pennsylvania, iVugust 13, 1904. 

Major Robert Henry Forster — Private 2d Regiment Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers during Mexican War ; recruited and elected 
Captain Company A September 1, 1862 ; Major November 
15, 1863. 

Wounded Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; slight- 
ly at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1863; severely at 
Petersburg, Virginia, June, 1864; discharged on surgeon's 
certificate of disability on account fo wounds. 

Died at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1901. 

Major George Adams Bayard — Enlisted August 22, 1861 ; First 
Lieutenant Company H on organization of company ; pro- 
moted Captain September 8, 1862; Major March 1T! 1865; 
commissioned Lieutenant Colonel June 1, 1865 ; not mustered 
because Regiment was below minimum. Prisoner June 22, 
1864, to March, 1865. 

Mustered out with Regiment June 1, 1865. 

Killed by shifting ensrine at Bellefonte, Pennsvlvania, Julv, 
1903. 

Adjt. Robert Lipton — First Lieutenant Company E 1st Pennsyl- 
vania Cavalry (44th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers) 
August 12, 1861; promoted Captain October, 1861; resigned 
on account of ill health March 31, 1862; enlisted in Com- 
pany B 148th Regiment and appointed Adjutant at its organ- 
izatioTi September 8. 1863. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLf\JNIJ VOLUNTEERS 923 

Died at Milesburg", PeiiiHvlvnnia, durins; a leave of absence 
April 20, 1863. 

Adjt. Joseph Wendel Muffly — ^Eiilisted Company B Aus^iist 21. 
1862; appointed Sergeant Major September 8, 1862; pro- 
moted Adjutant April 27, 1M).'>; scrxod lS()4-lS()r) as Acting 
Assistant Adjutant General Fourth iirigade, First Division, 
Second Corps. 

Wounded Gettysburo- July 2. isr;:): Po River jNFay 10, 
1.S61; Reams Station August 25, 186 1. 

Disdiarffed on surgeon's certificate of di'inbilitv March 28. 
1865. 

Lives Des Moines, Iowa. 

Apjt. CirARi.ES Alexander Ramsey — Enlisted Private Company 
D 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers August 28, 1862 ; detailed 
as clerk at regimental brigade and division headquarters ; pro- 
moted Sergeant Major August 2, 1864; Adjutant May 15. 
1865. 

Mustered out with Regiment June, 1865. 

Lives Hillsboro, Illinois. 

Quarteemastee John Geoege Kuetz — Appointed September 11, 
1862 ; discharged on surgeon's certificate of disability April 
28, 1864. 

Died at Milton, Pennsylvania. 

Quartermaster Samuel David Musser — Enlisted August 28, 
1862, Company D; appointed Quartermaster Sergeant on or- 
ganization of Regiment; promoted Quartermaster May 19, 
1864. 

Mustered out with Regiment June, 1865. 

Jjives Scranton. Pennsylvania. 

Surgeon ITriau Q. Davis — Appointed Assistant Surgeon Septem- 
ber 12, 1862; promoted Surgeon December 8. 1862. 
Mustered out w^ith Regiment June, 1865. 
Killed in railroad accident at Milton. Pennsylvania. 

AssT. Surgeon Calvin Peter William Fisher — Appointed Sep- 
tember 12. 1862: discharged <m surgeon's certificate of dis- 
ability June 12. 1863. 

Died at Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. 

AssT. Surgeon Alfred Thorley Hamilton — Appointed February 
4, 1863; mustered out with Regiment June, 1865. 
Lives at Lewistown, Pennsylvania. 
AssT. Surgeon John Wesley Alien — Ajiiixiintcd ^lay 3. 1864; 
mustered out with Reo-iment June, 1865. 
Died at .Vltoona, Pennsylvania. 



924 ■ THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Chaplain William Henky Stevens — Enlisted as Private, II Com- 
pany ; elected Second Lieutenant on organization of Com- 
pany; apix)inted Chaplain September 7, 1862. 
Mustered out with Regiment June, 1865. 
Died Shelby, Jowa, June 10, lUOl ; buried in Three 
Spring Cemetery, Huntingdon County, Pciiiisylvauia. 

Sergt. Major Joseph E. Hall — ^Promoted from Sergeant Com- 
pany I April 27, 1863, to Second Lieutenant Company I, 
August 2, 1861; to Adjutant 183d Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers September 7, 1864. 
Lives Clatskanie, Oregon. 

Sergt. Major Isaac N. Sloan — Enlisted Company Iv September 7, 
1862; promoted to Corporal December 9, 1862; to Sergeant 
September 15, 1864; to Sergeant Major May 18, 1865. 
Died Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

Quartermaster Sergt. Willia:m C. Devinney — Enlisted Company 
E September 2, 1862 ; promoted from Corporal to Sergeant 
November 16, 1863; to Quartermaster Sergeant May 30, 
1864; mustered out with Regiment June, 1865. 
Lives Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. 

Commissary Sergt. Lewis W. Ingram — Enlisted Company H Aug- 
ust 16, 1862; promoted Commissary Sergeant on organization 
of Regiment; promoted to Quartermaster 81st Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers June 27, 1864. 
Lives Oregon City, Oregon. 

Com. Sergt. James P. Odenkirk— Promoted from Sergeant of 
G Company July 1, 1864. 
Lives Warrensburg, Missouri. 

Hospital Steward Jacob B. Kreider — Appointicd October 8, 
1862; discharged October 17, 1863. 

Hospital Steward William H. Mayes — Enlisted August 27,1862; 
promoted from Private Company C November 1, 1863: com- 
missioned Second Lieutenant Company C June 1, 1865; not 
nmstered. 

Mustered out with Reginioiit June 1, 1865. 
Died since the War. 

/Principal Musician Robert A. Cassidy — Enlisted August 16, 
1862 Company H; appointed Principal Musician September 
8, 1862; transferred to 19th Regiment Veteran Reserve 
Corps after battle of Gettysburg; discliarged by General 
Orders July L3, 1865. " ^ 

Live- (\nntiin. Olnn. 



THE i48rH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 925 

Principal Musician William II. IIarpstek — Enlisted August 27, 
1802 Company C; promoted Principal Musician July 1, 
1863; mustered out with Regiment June, 1865. 
Lives Houtzdale, Pennsylvania. 

PRINCIPAL Musician Samuel D. Otto — Enlisted August 27, 1862, 
Company C; promoted Principal Musician March 1, 1864; 
mustered out with Regiment June, 1865. 
Died manv vears affo. 



ROSTER OF COMPANY A. 

Compiled by Henry Meyer. 

Capt. Robert 11. Forster — Age 33; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania; 
volunteer Mexican War; enlisted Civil War August 19, 
1862; mustered September 1st; wounded at Chancellorsville, 
May 3, 1863; promoted to j\Iajor October 30, 1SG3; mus- 
tered as such November 16, 1863; discharged; died May 2 
1901; buried at MifHinburg, Pennsylvania. 

Capt. John L. Johnston — Age 22; Bellefonte, Pennsylvania; pro- 
moted from First Lieutenant Company H, November 15, 
1863; wounded June 16, 1861; on detached service at El- 
mdra, New York, from October 13, 1864- ; discharged June 
4, 1865; Captain, LTnited States Army, retired; resides in 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

First Lieut. Simon S. Wolf — Age 24 ; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania ; 
enlisted August 19, 1862; mustered August 31st; discharged 
on surgeon's certificate September 25, 1863 ; died January 1, 
1875 ; buried at Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. 

First Lieut. Wesley W. Bierly — Age 26 ; Rebersburg, Penn- 
sylvania; enlisted August 19, 1862; mustered August 25th j; 
promoted from First Sergeant to Second Lieutenant October 
31, 1863; to First Lieutenant November 15, same year; 
served as Adjutant of Regiment short time; was injured by 
concussion of exploding shell Gettysburg, July 3, 1863; 
wounded and captured June 22, 1864, and died at Peters- 
burg, Virginia, of wounds, September 2, 1864. 

First Lieut. Simon M. Spangler — Age 22 ; Rebersburg, Penn- 
sylvania ; enlisted August 19, 1862; mustered August 25; 
was in three months ser\'ioe; promoted from Corporal to 
First Sergeant November 16, 1863 ; from First Sergeant to 
First Lieutenant November 30, 1864; command of com- 



926 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

panj during last months of War ; wounded at Spotsylvani.i 
May 12, 18G4; mustered out June 1, 1865; resides at New- 
ton, Kansas. 

Second Lieutenant Erastus J. Burkert — Age 23 ; Rebersburg, 
Pennsylvania; enlisted August 19, 1862; mustered Augusl 
31 ; discharged on surgeon's certificate of disability June 26, 
1863; resides at Chicago, Illinois; was in three months 
service. 

Second Lieutenant Daniel E. Shaffer — Age 26 ; Madisonburg, 
Pennsylvania; enlisted August 19, 1862; mustered August 
25th ; promoted from Sergeant to Second Lieutenant Xovem- 
ber 15, 1863 ; died at Madisonburg, Pennsvlvania, Septem- 
ber 12, 1864. 

Second Lieutenant Jared I. Jones — Age 21 ; Wolfs Store, Penn- 
sylvania ; enlisted August 21, 1862; mustered August 25th; 
promoted from Serg'^'ant to Second Lieutenant November 
30, 1864; part of time on recruiting service; mustered out 
with company June 1, 1865 ; resides at Hiawatha, Kansas. 

First Sergeant John A. Miller — Age 25 ; Rebersburg, Pennsyl- 
vania; enlisted August 22, 1862; mustered August 25th: 
promoted from Corporal to First Sergeant December 7, 1864 ; 
had been slightly wounded ; mustered out with company June 
1, 1865; died May 14, 1900; buried at Millheim, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Sergt. Thomas P. Meyer — Age 20 ; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania ; 
enlisted August 19, 1862; mustered August 25th; promato(1 
from Corporal to Sergeant December 7, 1864; had charge of 
picmocr corps part of term ;was slightly injured by concussion 
of exploding shell at Gettysburg July 3, 1863 ; was taken 
prisoner at Auburn Mills, Virginia, October 14, 1863 : mus- 
tered out with company June 1, 1865; resides at Lock 
Haven, Pennsylvania. 

Sergt. William ILvrper — Age 25; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania; en- 
listed August 19, 1862; mustered August 25th; promoted 
froni Corporal to Sergeant Novem'ber 16, 1863; on recruit- 
ing service from Fe^bruary 8, 1864; discharged on General 
Orders June 26, 1865; 'died February, 1901; buried at 
Belief on te, Peniisylvnnia. 

Sergt. Henry Mili,er — Age 20 ; Millheim, Pennsylvania ; enlisted 
August 21, 1862; mustered August 25; promoted from Cor- 
poral to Sergeant April 1, 1865; wounded .-ft Po River, Vir- 
ginia, May 10, 1864; uHistered out with company June 1, 
1865; resides at Millheim, Pennsvlvania. 



THE 148TH FENNSYLIJNIJ VOLL'MEERS 927 

Sekgt. Daniel Weaver — Ago 22 ; Wolfs Store, Pennsylvania ; en- 
listed August 22, 1862; mustered August 25tli; promoted 
from Corporal to Sergeant April 1, 1865; wounded at Deep 
Bottom, Virginia, August 14, 1864; mustered out witJi com- 
pany June 1, 1865 ; resides at Wolfs Store, Pennsylvania. 

Sekgt. George W. Leitzell — Age 33 ; Millheim, Pennsylvania ; 
enlisted August 20, 1862; mustered August 25tli; severely 
wounded at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863 ; transferred to Vet- 
eran Ilesei-ve Corps Marcli 17, 1864; disoharge-d July 6, 
1865 ; resides at Altamont, Illinois. 

Sergt. Elias Mingle — Millheim, Pennsylvania; enlisted August 
21, 1862; mustered August 25tli ; died July 31, 1863, of 
wounds received at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. 

Sergt. A. O. Deininger — Age 24; Millheim, Pennsylvania; en- 
listed August 20, 1862; mustered August 25th; on detached 
service from September 23, 1863; discharged July 14, 1865 ; 
resides at Hughesville, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Samuel R, Gettig — Age 23 ; Madisonburg, Pennsylvania ; 
enlisted August 23, 1862; mustered August 25th; promoted 
to Corporal November 16, 1863 ; taken prisoner at Reams 
Station, Virginia, August 25, 1864 ; taken to Salisbury ; 
mustered out witli company June 1, 1865 ; resides near 
Rebersburg, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Jacob Breckbill — Age 24 ; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania ; en- 
listed August 19, 1862; mustered August 25th; promoted t/O 
Corporal December 7, 1864; mustered out June 1, 1865; re- 
sides at Altoona, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Benjamin Beck — Age 23; Wolfs Store, Penusylvania ; en- 
listed August 21, 1862; musterod August 25th; pvctmoted I0 
Corporal December 7, 1864; wounded at Po River, Virginia, 
May 10, 1864, also March 31, 1865; discharged by General 
Orders June 24, 1865 ; resides at Wolfs Store, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Manasses Gilbert — Age 20 ; Wolfs Store, Pennsylvania ; 
enlisted August 19, 1862 ; mustered August 25 ; promoted to 
Corporal April 1, 1865 ; wounded at Gettysburg, Pennsyl- 
vania, July 2, 1863 ; mustered out with company June 1, 
1865 ; resides at Rebersburg, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. George Corman — ^Age 18; Wolfs Store, Pennsylvania; en- 
listed August 20, 1862; mustered August 25th; promoted to 
Corporal April 1, 1865; captured at Gettysburg, Pennsyl- 
vania, July 2, 1863; returned to company August 2, 1863; 
mustered out with company June 1. 1865; resides at Free- 
port, Illinois. 



928 THE STOR Y OF O I 'R REGIMENT 

Corp. Henky Ceouse — Age 18; liebersburg, Pennsylvania; en- 
listed August 21, 1802; mustered August 25tli; proniuted to 
Corporal April 1, 1865 ; mustered out with company June 
1, 1865; died December 22, 1899; buried at Aaronsburg, 
Pennsylvania. 

Colli'. Fin-.r<ERicK LiMBEirr — Age 23; Madisonburg, Pennsyl- 
vania; enlisted August 21, 1862; mustered August 25tb ; 
wounded at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863 ; pro- 
moted to Corporal April 1, 1865; mustered out with com- 
pany June 1, 1865 ; resides at Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania. 

CoEP. David Kossman — Age 28; Eebersburg, Pennsylvania; en- 
listed August 22d; mustered August 25th; wounded at Po 
Eiver, Virginia, May 10, 1864; also Jime 3, 1864, at Cold 
Harbor, Virginia; promoted to Corporal April 1, 1865; was 
in the assault on Elliott's Salient or Fort Crater, October 27, 
1864; mustered out with company June 1, 1865; resides at 
Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Levi Stbayee — Age 39 ; Wolfs Store, Pennsylvania ; enlisted 
August 19, 1862; mustered August 25th; discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate April 4, 1863; died January 17, 1903; 
buried at Rebersburg, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Heney Meyer — Age 21; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania; enlisted 
August 19, 1862; mustered August 25th; promoted to Cor- 
poral November 16, 1863 ; wounded at Chancellorsville May 
3, 1863 ; again, severely, at Po River, May 10, 1864, neces- 
sitating amputation of left hand ; discharged at Campbell 
HosiTdtal, Washington, September 12, 1864; resides at 
Rebersburg, Pennsylvania. 

CoKp. Thomas E. Royer — Age 21; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania; en- 
listed August 22, 1862; mustered August 25th; promoted to 
Corporal November 16, 1863 ; wounded at Spotsylvania, Vir- 
ginia, May 12, 1864; transferred to 51st Company, Second 
Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps, February 9, 1865 ; dis- 
charged August 24, 1865; resides at Rebersburg, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Corp. George M. Rupp — Age 23 ; Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania ; en- 
listed August 22, 1862; mustered August 25th; wounded 
slightly at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July, 1863; also at 
Spotisylvania, Virginia, May 12, 1864; promoted to Cor- 
poral November 16, 1863; transferred to 51st Company, 
Second Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps, February 9, 1865; 
discharged ; dead ; buried at Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFJNLl rOLUNTEERS 929 

Corp. Amos Eriiard — Age i^O — Wolfs Store, Pennsylvania; en- 
listed August 21, 1862; mustered August 25tli; wounded at 
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 3, 18G3 ; transferred to Com- 
pany C, 24tli Kegiment, Veteran Reserve Corps, January 

20, 1864; dischargwl June 28, 1865; died 1S!)7 ; huricd i\t 
Scalp Level, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Danikl Shaffer — Age 23; Madisonburg, Pennsylvania; en- 
listed August 21, 1862; mustered August 25tli; died near 
Falmoutli, Virginia, March 6, 1863; buried at Madisonburg, 
Pennsylvania. 

Corp. JxVcob Lanicii — Millheim, Pennsylvania; enlisted August 

21, 1862; mustered August 25th; killed at Gettysburg, Julv 
2, 1863. 

Corp. Daniel Miller — Age 34 ; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania ; en- 
listed August 21, 1862; mustered August 25th; slightly 
wounded June 17, 1864; died at Washington August 8, 
1864; buried at Arlington, Virginia. 

Corp. Philip Woodling — Age 25 ; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania ; en- 
listed August 19, 1862; mustered Augiist 25tli; served as 
musician ; transferred to Company H, 1st Regiment, Vet- 
eran Reserve Corps, February 16, 1864; discharged by Gen- 
eral Orders July 24, 1865; died April 9, 1893; buried at 
R ebersbu rg, Penn sy 1 v an i a . 

PRIVATES. 

Solomon Bierly — Age 17 ; Madisonburg, Pennsylvania ; enlisted 
August 21, 1862 ; musteired August 25th ; wounded at Cold 
Harbor, Virginia, June 3, 1864; discharged by General 
Orders August 22, 1865 ; resides at Seligman, Missouri. 

Charles Bierly — Age 22 ; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania ; enlisted 
August 22, 1862 ; mustered August 25th; wounded at Gettys- 
burg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863 ; transferred to Veteran 
Reserve Corps March 15, 1864; discharged June 26, 1865; 
resides at Rebersburg, Pennsylvania. 

James B. Bierly — Age 21; Madisonburg, Pennsylvania; enlisted 
August 22,1862; mustered August 25th; died near Fal- 
mouth, Virginia, February 24, 1863; buried at Madison- 
burg, Pennsylvania. 

Levi Boob — Age 23; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania; enli^^ted August 

22, 1862; mustered August 28th; wounded at Reams Sta- 
tion, Virginia, August 25, 1864, necessitating amputation 
of riffht arm; discharged December 20, 1864; shot himself 



930 THE STORY OF 01 R REGIMENT 

iiccidentally August 2G, iSliT, died sauie day; buried at 
J I artleton, Pennsylvania. 

WiJ.i.iAM ]^ooH — Age 21; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania; enlisted Aug- 
ust 22, 1862 ; mustered August 2Sth ; wounded fatally and 
captured at Po Piver, Virginia, May 10, ISe-l; died at 
liieliinond, June Ki, 1864. 

Nathaniel Boob — Age 1*J; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania; enlisted 
August 22, 1862'; mustered August 28tli; wounded May 10, 
1864, Po River, Virginia; captured at Reams Station, Vir- 
ginia, August 25, 1864, and taken to Salisbury, North (Caro- 
lina ; mustered out with company June 1, 1865 ; resides near 
MifHinburg, Pennsylvania. 

Daniel Bower — ^Age 22; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania; enlisted Aug- 
ust 22, 1862; mustered August 28th; on detached duty with 
ambulance corps; discharged June 1, 1865; resides at Rote, 
Pennsylvania. 

Adam Boyer — Age 21 ; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania ; enlisted Aug- 
ust 21, 1862; mustered August 25th; w^ounded at Grettys- 
burg, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1863 ; transferred to Veteran 
Reserve Corps March 17, 1865 ; discharged August 23, 1865 ; 
resides in Abilene, Kansas. 

T>avti) Bressler — Age 28; Millheim, Pennsylvania; enlisted Aug- 
ust 22, 1862 ; mustered August 25th ; discharged on surgeon's 
certificate May 23, 1863; dead; buried near Penn Hall, 
Pennsylvania. 

Henry G. Conser — Age 28; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania; enlisted 
August 21, 1862; mustered August 25th; discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate March 2, 1863 ; died May. 1900, at Valley 
Falls, Kansas. 

.Iamks T. Corman — Age 22; Wolfs Store, Pennsylvania; enlisted 
August 20, 1862; mustered August 25th; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865; resides at Rebersburg, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Solomon D.u.e — Age 20;, Boalsburg, Pennsylvania; enlisted Aug- 
ust 21. 1862: mustered September 1st; missing in action at 
Spotsylvania, Virginia, May 12, 1864; company return for 
February, 1865, states, "died of wounds received in action 
at Spotsylvania." 

I'.iiAS Edleman — Age 18; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania; enlisted 
August 22, 1862; mustered August 25th as a musician, but 
served in the ranks w^hole term ; transferred to Veteran Re- 
serve Corps April 14, 1864; discharged by General Order? 
Juno 1. 1865: dead. 



THE 148TH PESSSYLIJSIA I O LI STEERS 931 

Jacob EMEPacK — Age 18; Milllieini, Pennsylvania; enlisted Auir- 
ust 21, 1862; mustered August 25tli; wounded at Chancel- 
lorsville, May 3, 1863 ; transferred to Veteran Reserve 
Corps March 17, 1864; discharged September 6, 1864; re- 
sides at Millheim, Pennsylvania. 

Isaiah Fullmer — Age 18; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania; enlisted 
August 21, 1862; mustered August 25th; fatally wounded 
at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; taken prisoner and 
died soon after at Petersburg, Virginia ; buried in Poplar 
Grove Cemetery, Division 8, Section E. 

William Fullmee — Age 20 ; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania ; enlisted 
August 22, 1862 ; mustered August 25th; killed at Po River. 
Virginia, May 10, 1864. 

Levi H. Fullmer — Age 25; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania; enlisted 
August 22, 1862 ; mustered August 25th ; had been in three 
months service; discharged on surgeon's certificate February 
11, 1863 ; resides at Rebersburg, Pennsylvania. 

Griffith Garrett — Age 20 ; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania ; enlisted 
August 22, 1862 ; mustered August 25th ; died at Falmouth, 
Virginia, May 11, 1863. 

Samuel Gilbert — Age 21 ; Millheim, Pennsylvania ; enlisted Aug- 
ust 21, 1862 ; mustered August 25th ; wounded at Po River. 
Virginia, May 10, 1864; transferred to Veteran Reser^-e 
C-orps, Company B, 18th Regiment. September 11, 1864: 
discharged by General Orders Juno 17, 1865; dead; biirie'l 
in ^N^ittany Valley, Centre County. Pennsylvania. 

Adam Grim — Age 25 ; Madison burg, Pennsylvania ; enlisted Aug- 
ust 22, 1862 ; mustered August 25th : captured at Reams Sta- 
tion, Virginia, August 25, 1864. was taken to Salisbury, 
Xorth Carolina ; discharged by General Orders June 6, 
1865 ; resides at Smithfield, Missouri. 

John Grim — Age 21 ; Madisonburg, Pennsylvania ; enlisted Aug- 
ust 21, 1862; mustered August 25th; mustered out June 1, 
1865 ; reside; at Smithfield, Missouri. 

Martin Grove — Spring Mills, Pennsylvania ; enlisted August 21. 
1862; mustered xVugust 25th; died near Falmouth, Virginia, 
February- 17, 1863."^ 

Matthias Guiser — Age 19; Madisonburg, Pennsylvania; enlisterl 
August 21, 1862 ; mustered August 25th ; wounded at Gettys- 
burg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863 ; absent, wounded, at mus- 
ter out; died Julv 23. 1904; buried ar Kinmnndv. Tllinoj-;. 



932 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

John W. Haffly — Age 24; Aarunsburg, Pennsylvania; enlisted 
August 20, 1862; mustered August 25tli; transferred to Vet- 
eran Reserve Corps November 13, 1863; discharged; re 
sides at Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania. 

Simon Hakper — Age 21; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania; enlisted Aug- 
ust 22, 1862; mustered August 25th; served as a musician: 
transferred to Vetei-an Reserve Corps September 1, 1863 ; 
discharged July 12, 1865; died August, 1900; buried at 
Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. 

Charles H. Held — Age 26 ; Millheim, Pennsylvania ; enlisted 
August 20, 1862; mustered August 25th; served as a musi- 
cian; mustered out witli company June 1, 1865; dead; 
buried at Millheim, Pennsylvania. 

Daniel J. Johnson — Age 19; Wolfs Store, Pennsylvania; en- 
listed August 22, 1862 ; mustered August 25th ; transferred 
to Signal Corps from February 4, 1864; discharged; resides 
at Easton, Pennsylvania. 

J. W. Kennedy — Age 20 ; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania ; enlisted 
August 22, 1862 ; mustered August 25th, by name of "John 
Strong;" mustered out June 1, 1865; resides at Lake City, 
Missouri. 

Aaron Klinefelter — Age 21 ; Madisonburg, Pennsylvania ; en- 
listed August 21, 1862; mustered August 25th; discharged 
on surgeon's certificate March 7, 1864. 

Gideon Kreamer — Age 21; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania; enlisted 
Au^ist 22, 1862; mustered August 25th; wounded at Po 
River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; absent, sick, at muster out; 
dead ; buried at Rebersburg, Pennsylvania, 

Jesse Kreamer — Age 26 ; Rebersburg Pennsylvania ; enlisted Aug- 
ust 22, 1862 ; nuistered August 25th ; was taken prisoner in 
the assault on Elliott's Salieut or Fort Crater October 27. 
1864, to Salisbury, North Carolina ; discharged by General 
Orders May 20, 1865 ; resides at Millheim, Pennsylvania. 

Samuel Krape — Millheim, Pennsylvania; enlisted August 21, 
1862 ; mustered August 25th ; died at Falmouth, Virginia, 
April 14, 1863. 

Michael Lamey — Age 27; Millheim, Pennsylvania; enlisted Aug- 
ust 22, 1862; mustered August 25th; discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate February 23, 1863; resides at Millheim, 
Pennsylvania. 

George W. Lanich — Millheim, Pennsylvania; enlisted August 21, 
1862; mustered August 25th; discharged by General OrdeiN 
June 6, 1865 ; resides at Dublin, Wayne County, Indiana. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 933 

Henry Lanich — Age 25 ; Millheim, Pennsylvania ; August 2l> 
1862; mustered August 25tli; dishonorably discharged June 
7, 1864; dead; buried at Logautown, Pennsylvania. 

Daniel Long — Age 19; Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania; enlisted Aug- 
ust 22, 1862; mustered August 25th; wounded at Ohancel- 
lorsville May 3, 1863; captured near Petersburg, Virginia, 
June 22, 1861; exchanged about March 1, 1865; died soon 
after the War. 

Jesse Long — Age 22; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania; enlisted August 
22, 1862; mustered August 25th; captured at Reams Sta- 
tion, Virginia, August 25, 1861, taken to Salisbury, North 
C'aix)lina ; served part term as pioneer ; mustered out June 
1, 1865 ; resides at Rebersburg, Pennsylvania. 

George S. Loose — Age 18; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania; enlisted 
August 19, 1862; nuistered August 25th; died at Potomac 
Creek Hospital, Virginia, June 7, 1863. 

Israel Maze — Age 22 ; Millheim, Pennsylvania ; enlisted August 
22, 1862; mustered August 25th; captured at North Anna, 
Virginia, June 7, 1861, taken to Andersonville, Georgia, 
where he died September 22, 1864. 

Aaron Miller — 'Age 21; Wolfs Store, Pennsylvania; enlisted 
August 22, 1862; mustered August 25th; killed at Gettys- 
burg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863. 

John Miller — Age 19 ; Wolfs Store, Pennsylvania ; enlisted Aug- 
ust 22, 1862 ; mustered August 25th; discharged on surgeon's 
certificate May 17, 1865 ; Missouri. 

Joseph K. Meyer — Age 22; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania; enlisted 
August 22, 1862; mustered August 25th; "absent without 
leave" from November 17, 1862; resides near Rebersburg, 
Pennsylvania. 

William C. Meyer — Age 18; Wolfs Store, Pennsylvania; enlisted 
August 22, 1862; mustered August 25th; wounded slightly 
at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; killed at Deep Bot- 
tom, Virginia, August 14, 1864. 

Israel Otto — Age 19; Millheim, Pennsylvania; enlisted August 
22, 1862 ; mustered August 25th ; wounded slightly at Gettys- 
burg, Peuusylvania, July 2, 1863; slightly at Cold Harbor, 
Virginia, dune 3, L'^64; again April 2, 1865; discharged by 
General Orders July 3, 1865; dead. 

William Otto — Age 27 ; Millheim, Pennsylvania ; enlisted Aug- 
ust 22, 1862; mustorcMl Auirust 25th; served as a musician 



934 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMEXT 

part of term; nuistered out June 1, 1805; resides at Coch- 
ranton, Pennsylvania. 

John E. Reisii — Age 26; Wolfs Store, Pennsylvania; enlisted 
August 22, 1862 ; mustered August 25th ; discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate April 1, 1863. 

J. E. Rousu^ — Eebersburg, Pennsylvania; enlisted August 22, 1862 ; 
mustered August 25th ; "absent without leave" from Novem- 
ber 17, 1862; dead. 

Levi II. Smith — Age 21 ; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania ; enlisted Aug- 
ust 22, 1862; mustered August 25th; transferred to Com- 
pany C, 11th Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps, April 14, 
1864; discharged July 8, 1865; dead; buried at Mifflin- 
burg, Pennsylvania. 

Samuel Strayee — Age 18 ; Wolfs Store, Pennsylvania ; enlisted 
August 22, 1862; mustered August 25th; mustered out June 
1, 1865; resides at Shiokley, ISTebraska. 

Et.ias Stover — Age 43; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania ; enlisted August 
22, 1862; mustered August 25th; discharged on surgeon's 
certificate January 20, 1 1864; resides at Robersburg, Penn- 
sylvania. 

Simon Stover — Age 22 ; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania ; enlif^toil .Vuo,- 
ust 22, 1862 ; mustered August 25th ; died at Ealmouth, Vir- 
ginia, April 9, 1863; buried at Rebersburg, Pennsylvania. 

Tra Walker — Age 20 ; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania ; enlisted August 
22, 1862; mustered August 25th; "absent without leave" 
from July 18, 1863; resides at Orangeville, Illinois. 

John Weight — Age 34; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania; enlisted Aug- 
ust 22, 1862; mustered August 25th'; died July 24, 1863, 
of wounds received at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. July 'i. 
1863 ; buried at Rebersburg, Pennsylvania. 

William Weight — Age 22 ; Wolfs Store, Pennsylvania ; enlisted 
August 22, 1862 ;nuistered August 25th; transferred to Com- 
pany H, 24th Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps, April 14. 
1864: discharged June 30, 1865; resides at Rebersburg. 
Pennsylvania. 

TiioAiAs C Weirtok — Age 16; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania ; enlisted 
Amxust 10, 1862: mustered September 1st: wounded at Cold 
Harbor, Vir^inin, June 3, 1864; youngest member of com- 
pany: discharged Jmie 7, 1865 : reside:? at Wnshin£rtnu, D. C. 

Solomon Wisk — Madisonhni'ir. Pennsylvania: onlistod .\ugust 22, 
1862: mustered Au<rn^t 25th: "absent without leave" from 
December 0. 1862. 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 955 

Chaeles W. Weisek — Age 18 ; Milllieim, Pennsylvania ; enlisted 
August 22, 1862 ; mustered August 25th ; wounded at Gettys- 
burg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863 ; discharged by General 
Orders May 19, 1865 ; resides at Burbank, Ohio. 

Charles A. Wolf — Age 18; Wolfs Store, Pennsylvania; enlisted 
August 22, 1862; mustered August 25th; captured at Reams 
Station, August 25, 1864, taken to Salisbury, North Caro- 
lina, where he died February 9, 1865. 

Franklin Wolf — Age 20; Wolfs Store, Pennsylvania; enlisted 
August 22, 1862; mustered August 25th; killed at Po River, 
Virginia, May 10, 1864. 

Henry Wolf — Age 19; Rebersburg, Pennsylvania; enlisted Aug- 
ust 22, 1862; mustered August 25th; died near Falmouth. 
Virginia, May 28, 1863; buried at Rebersburg, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Samuel Wolf — Madisonburg, Pennsylvania; enlisted August 22, 
1862; mustered August 25th; died at Falmouth, Virginia, 
February 22, 1863. 

John B. Zeigler — Age 19; Millheim, Pennsylvania; enlisted Aug- 
ust 19, 1862 ; mustered August 25th as a musician but served 
in the ranks whole term ; mustered out with company June 1, 
1865 ; resides at Swengle, Pennsylvania. 

volunteer recruits. 

John Clapham — ^Millheim, Pennsylvania; enlisted February 19, 
1864; mustered February 25th; transferred to Company B, 
53d Regimemt Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865 : 
mustered out June 30, 1865. 

Noah Gilbert — Age 16; Wolfs Store, Pennsylvania; enlisted and 
mustered February 15, 1864; killed at Po River, Virginia, 
May 10, 1864. 

Moses Gilbert — Age 16; Wolfs Store, Pennsylvania; enlisted and 
mustered February 22, 1864; wounded at Spotsylvania, May 
12, 1864; transferred to Company B, 53d Regiment Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865 ; discharged June 24, 
1865 ; resides near Wolfs Store, Pennsylvania. 

Morris Mock — Enlisted March 22, 1864; took part in the assault 
on Elliott's Salient, or Fort Crater, October 27, 1864; trans 
ferred to Company B, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers June 1, 1865; mustered out June 30. 1865; resides at 
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. 

Joseph Mock — Enlisted and mustered March 17, 1864; took part 
in the assault ou Elliott's Salient nv Fort Crater Oct(^l>er 



936 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

27, 1864; transferred to Company B, 53d Regiment Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers June 1, 1865 ; discharged by General 
Orders June 16, 1865 ; resides at Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. 
Joseph E. Messingee — Age 21 ; mustered November 12, 1863 ; 
discharged on surgeon's certificate Febnary 16, 1865. 

John F. Reedek — Enlisted February 4, 1864; mustered February 
10 ; transferred to Company B, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers June 1, 1865 ; absent sick at muster out. 

John W. Shively — Age 21 ; enlisted and mustered February 15, 
1864; discharged on surgeon's certificate September 2, 1864. 

drafted men. 

Jeremiah Beam — Mustered August 20, 1863; wounded at Po 
Hiver, Virginia, May 10, 1864; transferred to 53d Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865 ; absent sick at 
muster out. 

Isaac Barr — Mustered August 15, 1863 ; killed at Deep Bottom, 
Virginia, August 16, 1864. 

Sidney J. Butler — Mustered October 18, 1863; wounded and cap- 
tured at Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 3, 1864, taken to 
Andersonville, Georgia, were he died July 22, 1864; grave 
3808. 

William A. Chestnut — ^Mustered October 21, 1863; wounded June 
3, 1864, at Cold Harbor, Virginia; transferred to Company 
B, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, I860; 
discharged by General Orders June 28, 1865. 

William Crum — Mustered August 22, 1863; severely wounded at 
Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; company return for 
month of February, 1865, re})orts him as having died at 
Washington. 

James Deckert — Mustered August 28, 1863 ; transferred to Com- 
pany B, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 
1805; mustered out June 30, 1865. 

William I). Eymek — Mustered August 18, 1863; slightly wounded 
at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; transferred to Com- 
pany B, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865 ; absent at muster out. 

JA>rEs M. Fleck — Mustered August 25, 1863; killed at the Wil- 
derness May Y, 1864; buried at Wilderness burial ground. 

]S;elson Furney" — 'Mustered August 26, 1863 ; served in the Pioneer 
Corps for a. time; died at Washington, November 24, 1864; 
Imi'icd at Arlinc'ton. Viririnia. 



THE i48rH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 937 

Samuel K. Fuiu.ey — Age 24; mustered August 29, 1863; wounded 
at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1804; transferred to Veteran 
Reserve Corps, October 17, 1864. 

JosiAH Howe — Mustered August 18, 1863; transferred to Company 
B, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865 ; 
discharged by General Orders June 16, 1865. 

Tobias T. IIeckert — Mustered October 22, 1863; transferred to 
Company B, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 
1, 1865 ; discharged by General Orders June 3, 186r). 

Henry Helman — ^Mustered August 29, 1863; wounded May 10, 
1864, Po River, Virginia; transferred to Company B, 53d 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers; absent, sick, at muster 
out. 

WiT.i.i/.M M. Haxly — Mustered August 10, 1863; wounded at Po 
River, Virginia,, May 10, 1864; transferred to Company B, 
53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865 ; mus- 
tered out June 30, 1865 ; resides at Mahalsville, Morgan 
County, Indiana. 

Ignatz Miller — Mustered August 19, 1863 ; transferred to Com- 
pany B, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865; absent sick at muster out. 

Henry Manns — Mustered August 29, 1863; transferred to Com- 
pany B, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865 ; discharged by General Orders June 9, 1865. 

James F. McMurry — Mustered August 22, 1863 ; fatally wounded 
at Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864; died at Washington, D. C, of 
wounds. 

Fanton L. Northrop — Age 19 ; mustered October 22, 1863 ; 
wounded at Spotsylvania, Virginia, May 14, 1864; trans- 
ferred to Company H, 14th Regiment Veteran Reserve 
Corps, September 1(5, 1864; discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
cate May 15, 1865. 

John Paekes — Mustered August 28, 1863; wounded at Cold Har- 
bor, Virginia, June 3, 1864; captured in assault on Elliott's 
Salient or Fort Crater October 27, 1864 ; transferred to Com- 
pany B, 53d Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865 ; absent 
at muster out. 

Franklin Rosenberry — Mustered August 28, 1863 ; wounded at 
Spotsylvania, May 12, 1864; discharged May 15, 1865. 

John Roof — Mustered August 29, 1863; wounded at Po River, 
Virginia, May 10, 1864; transferred to Company B, 53d 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865; mustered 
out June 30, 1865. 



958 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

John H. Kandall — Mustered October 14, 1803; on detached ser 
vice; transferred to Company B, 53d lleginient Pennsylvania 
Volunteers June 1, 1865 ; mustered out June 30, 1865. 

David Stoimbaugii — ^Mustered August 27, 1863; transferred to 
Company B, 53d Regiment Pemisylvania Volunteers June 1. 
1865; mustered out June 30, 1865. 

JosiAii SixKs — ^Mustered August 29, 1863; wounded at Cold Har- 
bor, Virginia, June 3, 1864; transferred to Company B, 53(1 
Regiment Pennsylvania, VolunteeTS June 1, 1865 ; absent at 
muster out. 

John S. Stevens — Mustered Augii>st 18, 1863; died March 17, 
1864, at Stevensburg, Virginia. 

Martin Troutman — Mustered October 22, 1863; captured in the 
assault on Elliott's Salient or Fort CVater, Petersburg, Vir- 
ginia, October 27, 1864; was taken to Salisbury. .North 
Carolina ; died there Noveml>er 22, 1864. 

Augustus B. Whipple — Mustered August 20, 1863; wounded at 
Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 3, 1864; transferred to Com- 
pany B, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865 ; mustered out June 30, 1S65. 

Jacob D. Webb — Mustered August 20, 1863; wounded at Po River, 
Virginia, May 10, 1864; transferred to Company B, 53d 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers Jnne 1, 1865; discharged 
by General Orders June 19, 1865. 

PiiTT.ip WiT.E — -Mustered August 29, 1863; wounded at Po River,. 
Virginia, May 10, 1864; transferred to Company B, 53d 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865; absent at 
muster out. 

Wn-i.iAM WoT.K — Mustered August 29, 1863; wounded at Po River, 
Virginia, May 10, 1864; also reported wounded June 3, 
1864; transferred to (^ompany B, 53d Regiment Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers June 1, 1865; mustered out June 30, 1865. 

Isaac C. Wii.cox — Mustered August 20, 1863; reported missing in 
action May 12, 1864; was taken prisoner; transferred to 
Company P), 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865; discharged by G(Mieral Orders June 29th to date June 
28, 1865. 

A.M)i{Kw Zkimsy — ^Mnstcrccl October 20, 1863; wounded at Cold 
Harbor, Virginia, June 3, 1864; transferred to Company B, 
53d Rcftiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865; 
mustercnl out June 30, 1865. 



THE i48rH PENNSYLJ'ANIA VOLUNTEERS 989 

ROSTEK OF (^OMPANY B, 148T1I IiK(MMKX'r IM^XNSYL- 
VAIsTTA VOLUNTEERS. 

GEA'KRA]. IJKNDK/.VOUS;, ]\[lLESliURG. 

Capt. James F. Weaver— Septeniber 1, 1SG2; wcmiuled at To 
River, Virginia, May 9, 1864; promoted Major March 7, 
1865; Lieutenant Colonel May 15, 1865; commissioned Col- 
onel June 1, 1865; mustered out with R'O'oimeiir ; ilicd at 
Milesburg, Pennsylvania, August 13, 1904. 

Capt. WimjAAi D. ILvrper — August 29, 1862 ; promoted Sergeant 
October 22, 1862; First Tieuteiiant March 1, 1868; Captain 
March 7, 1865 ; wounded at Jerusalem Plank Road June 22. 
1864; mustered out with company June 1, 1S65; served as 
Second Lieutenant Company A 49th Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers; died at Renovo, Pennsylvania, Decembei' 15. 1890; 
buried at North Bend. 

First Lieut. Jabez C. P. Jones — September 1, 1862 ; discharged on 
surgeon's certificate February 16, 1863 ; present postoffice ad- 
dress, (hirwensville, Pennsylvania. 

Second Lieut. James E. McCartney — September 1, 1862; com- 
missioned First lieutenant February 1, 1865; disoharged on 
surgeon's certificate February 21, 1865; served in Company 
H 4th Regiment, three months service; ])resent postofiice ad- 
dress. National Soldiers Home, Virginia. 

First Sergt. John B. Like — August 29, 1862 ; died at York, Penn- 
sylvania, December 16, 1862; buried at Milesburg. 

First Sergt. Miciiaee F. Conner — August 29, 1862; promoted 
Sergeant December 27, 1862 ; killed at Chancellorsville, Vir- 
ginia, May 3. 1863. 

First Sergt. Samuel L. Barr — August 29, 1862; promoted Ser- 
geant August 1, 1863; wounded at Bristoe Station, Virginia, 
Octoiber 14, 1863, with loss of ann ; promoted Second Lieu- 
tenant 18th Regiment Veteran Reser^'e Corps; died at Belle- 
fonte, Pennsylvania. 

First Sergt. David JL Swyers — August 29, 1862; jn-omoted (^)r- 
poral October 1, 1863; First Sergeant August 1. 1864; 
wounded at Po River, Virginia, May 9, 1864, and at Five 
Forks, Virginia, March 31, 1865; commissioned First Lieu- 
teaiant Company B March 1. 1865; discharged by General 
Orders June 3, 1865 ; died at Milesburg, Pennsylvania. 

Sergt. George W. Lucas — August 29, 1862; prisoner from June 
16, 1864, to April 28. 1865; discharged May 29, 1865, to 
dateMav 16, 1865. 



i 



940 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Sekgt. Thomas T. Taylor — August 29, 1862; promoted Sergeant 
May 27, 1863; commissioned Second Lieutenant June 1, 
1865 ; mustered out with company June 1, 1865 ; present post- 
oflfice address, Altoona. 

Sergt. Alfred C. Moore — August 29, 1862 ; promoted Sergeant 
J^ovember 19, 1863 ; wounded at Five Forks, Virginia, March 
31, 1865 ; discharged by General Orders May 22, 1865 ; pres- 
ent postoffice address, Harrisburg. 

Sergt. Constans Barger — September 1, 1862 ; promoted Corporpi 
November 19, 1863; Sergeant August 1, 1864; wounded al 
l^orth Anna River, Virginia, and at Five Forks, Virginia, 
March 31, 1865 ; mustered out with company June 1, 1865 ; 
present postofSce address, Roland, Pennsylvania. 

Sergt. George R. Huston — August 29, 1862; promoted from Cor- 
poral December 27, 1862 ; wounded at Gettysburg July 2. 
1863; transferred to 96th Company, Second Battalion, Vet- 
eran Rocerve Corps, December 14, 1863 ; discharged August 
28, 1865 ; died at Gibbs, Adair County, Missouri, Marcii 16, 
1904. 

Sergt. William J. J. Davidson — August 29, 1862 ; promoted Cor- 
poral March 19, 1863 ; died at Potomac Creek Hospital, Vir- 
ginia, May 2, 1863. 

Sergt. Jacob Roop — August 29, 1862; promoted Corporal August 
1, 1863 ; killed at Po River, Virginia, May 9, 1861. 

Corp. George P. Hall — August 29, 1862 ; promoted Corporal No- 
vember 9, 1862 ; wounded at Gettysburg July 3, 1863 ; dis- 
charged May 20, 1865; present postoffice address, Fleming. 
Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Samuel R. Mitchell — August 29, 1862 ; promoted Corporal 
May 27, 1863 ; discharged^ June 23d to date June 4, 1865 ; 
present postoffice address, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. 

Corp, John D. I>ucas — August 29, 1862; promoted Corporal No- 
vember 19, 1863; mustered out with company June 1, 1865.- 

Corp. Edwin Searson — August 29, 1862; promoted Corporal May 
12, 1864; received two wounds at Gettysburg July 3, 1863. 
and one at Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 6, 1864; dischai-ged 
by General Orders August 9, 1865 ; present postoffice address. 
Grand Island, Nebraska, 

Corp. Benjamin F. Harris — Augnst 29, 1862; promoted Corporal 
August 11, 1864 ; mustered out with company Juno 1, 1865. 

Corp. William B. Peters — Amrnst 29, 1862; promoted Corporal 
September 29, 1864; wounded at Wilderness, Virginia, Ma,y 
4, 1864; discharged Juno 12, 1865. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 941 

Corp. Allen S. Ammerman — August 29, 1862 ; promoted Corporal 
February 28, 1865 ; mustered out with company June 1, 
1865. 

Corp. David Seibert — September 1, 1862 ; promoted Corporal De- 
cember 27, 1862 ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps Feb- 
ruary 1, 1864. 

Corp. Edward H. Poorman — September 1, 1862 ; promoted Cor- 
poral; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps April 20, 1864; 

present postoffice address, Clarence, Pennsylvania, 

Corp. William Latta — ^August 27, 1863; drafted; promoted Cor- 
poral August 17, 1861; transferred to Company I, 53d Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

Corp. Oliver W. Vanvalin — September 1, 1862 ; promoted Cor- 
poral March 17, 1863 ; wounded at Gettysburg July 2, 1863 ; 
promoted First Lieutenant 41st Regiment Colored Troops, Oc- 
tober 11, 1864; mustered out December 10, 1865; present 
postofRce address Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. William C. Ammerman — August 29, 1862 ; promoted Cor- 
poral ; wounded at Chancellors ville, Virginia, May 3, 1863, 
and at Spotsylvania Court House, May 12, 1864 ; died May 
31, 1864; buried in National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. 

Musician Nathaniel Beerly — August 29, 1862; mustered out 
with company June 1, 1865; died at Milesburg December 2, 
1902. 

Musician Emery Hutton — August 29, 1862 ; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865. 

PRIVATES. 

R. Wesley Ammerman — August 29, 1862 ; wounded at Spotsyl- 
vania, Virginia, May 12, 1864, with loss of leg; captured 
Confederate battle flag for which lie received Congres- 
sional medal of honor ; discharged May 30, 1865 ; present post- 
office address, McAUisterville, Pennsylvania. 

Nelson Adams — August 29, 1862; wounded at Five Forks, Vir- 
ginia, March 31, 1865 ; discharged by General Order June 6, 
1865. 

Joseph Ammerman — August 29, 1862 ; wounded at Po River, Vir- 
ginia, May 10, 1864; discharged on surgeon's certificate 
March 30,* 1865. 

John W. Ashton— October 22, 1863. (Substitute.) Transferred to 
Com pan V I, 53d Regini'ent Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865. 



942 THE STORY OF Ol'R RECIMEXT 

Joiix Ada.ms — Fehruarv IM, 18()4. (Drafted.) Transferred t<^» 
(\nnpaiiy I), Kith liegiuient \'eteraii Keserve Corjjs, June 
24, ISI!,"); discharged by General Order Jnne 13, 1865. 

J)AVii) AMMEiaiAN — August 29, 1862; died July 5, of wound re- 
ceived at Gettysburg July 2, 186-3; buried in National Ceme- 
tery, Sectioil" B, Grave 38. 

Jonx TnoMi'sox Ammekman — August 21), 1862; wounded at 
Gettysburg July 2, 1863; captured at lleanis Station, Vir- 
ginia, August 2."), 1864; died at Andersonville, Georgia, Feb- 
ruary 19, 1865. (Burial records died at Salisbury, Xorth 
Carolina, February 7, 1865.) 

Samuel Bkyax — Septend>er 1, 1862 ; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865. (See his story as teamster.) Postoffice ad- 
dress, Roland, Pennsylvania. 

Philip B. Brower — September 1, 1862; mustered out with com- 
pany June 1, 1865; postoffice address, Wingate, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Michael Busn- — August 29, 1862; discharged bv General Order 
May 31, 1865; dead. 

James Barger — September 1, 1862 ; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865; present y>ostoffice addi^ess, Roland, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

George Bill i:t — August 29, 1862; mustered (Uit with company 
June 1. 1865; ]>r'Pseut ]>ostoffice address, Lanuir. Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Joiix W. BiDDLK — Se]>tcudx^r 1, 1862; cajiturcd in fi'diit of Peters- 
burg, Virginia, June 16, 1864, and held as such until A]>ril 
28, 1865;' discharged May 29th to date May 16, 1865: ]>res- 
ent postoffice address, Fleming, Pennsylvania. 

ArsTiiV BiiO'.VKR- -February 18, 1864; transferred to Company T, 
53d Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1. 1865. 

^[kmiaki. .\. Bwowx — August 29, 1862; wonudcd at ( 'hancellors- 
ville, Virginia, May 3, 1863, and Gettysburg, July 2, 1863; 
trausf(M-red to Veteran ReserA'c Corps, dat<^ unknowiL 

]\rKsri.AM Bkkkly — Angust 29, 1862; died at FaliiKUitli. Virginia. 
February S, 1863. 

Gkorgk Bennet — Seivteuduu- 1, 1862; died at York, Pennsylvania. 
March 23, 1863; buried in Prospect TTill Cemetery. 

Jacoi! Bear — August 31, 1863. (Drafted.) Died near Stevens- 
burg, Virginia, "^Farch 21, 1864; buried in National Ceme- 
tery, Culpe]x>r Court House, Virginia, block 1, section .\, row 
12, irrave 412. 



THE 148TH FKWSYLIJM.^ I OLi STEERS 943 

JoJiN F. Bykus — Aui>iif;t 2'J, I8G0. (Drat'UMl.) Wuumlcd at Po 
Eiver May \), 18G4; clieJ same day. 

Emanuel Bkubaker — October 28, I860. (Substitute.) Died at 
Washington, D. C, June 20, 1864; burial records July 19, 
1864; buried in National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. 

Benjamin F. Baker — O'ctober 21, 1863. (Drafted.) Captured; 
died at Andersonville, Georgia, October 27, 1864, grave 
11,566. 

James R. Browek — September 1, 1862 ; wounded at Gettysburg, 
July 2, 1863 ; captured at Petersburg, Virginia, June -I^j 
1864; died at Andersonville, Georgia, October 18, 1864. 

Keuben B. Beers — August 29, 1862. (Deserted September 6, 

1862.) 
Harry C. Buleock — February 9, 1864; discharged by special 

order February 18, 1864 (under age). 

Thomas A. Conaway — September 1, 1862 ; wounded at Spotsyl- 
vania May 12, 1864; mustered out with company June 1, 
1865. 

Frederick Doughman — September 1, 1862 ; discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate January 1, 1865. 

Alexander J. Droucker — February 28, 1864; wounded at Po 
River, Virginia, May 9, 1S()4; transferred to Com])any 1 53d 
Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

John L. Durst — August 31, 1863. (Drafted.) Transferiied to 
Veteran Reserve (\3rps April 20, 1864; discharged by Gen- 
eral Order July 19, 1865. 

Abel Davis — August 29, 1862; killed at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. 

Henry S. Deneen — August 29, 1863. (Drafted.) Died near 
Stevensburg, Virginia, April 21, 1864; burial records April 
12, 1864; buried in National Cemeten', (^nlpejx'r, Virginia, 
block 1, section A, row 7, grave 211. 

John C. Eiirhom — September 1, 1862 ; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865. 

William A. Edmiston — September 1, 1862 ; wounded at Po River, 
Virginia, INfay 9, 1864; transferred to Company I, 6th Regi- 
ment Veteran Reserve Corps; discharged by General Order 
July 3, 1865 ; died at Fillmore, Pennsylvania. 

Jacgi-. Fljc'k — September 1, 1862; wounded at Reams Station, Vir- 
ginia, August 25, 1864; discharged on surgeon's certificate, 
March 6. 1865: dead. 



944 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Henry Fisiiel — February 18, 1864; wounded at Spotsylvania, May 

12, 1864 ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, March 14, 

1865. 
Samuel Huling — September 1, 1862 ; discharged by General 

Order June 2, 1865. 
Charles F. Hurto — September 1, 1862 ; captured at Jerusalem 

Plank Koad, Virginia, June 22, 1864; mustered out with 

company June 1, 1865. 

George W. IIakris; — August 29, 1862; captured Confederate battle 
flag at Spotsylvania May 12, 1864; received Congressional 
medal of honor ; discharged for wound received at Five Forks, 
Virginia, March 31, 1865 ; present postoffice address Run- 
ville, Pennsylvania. 

Valentine Harris — ^August 29, 1862 ; transferred to Veteran Re- 
serve Corps, July 27, 1863. 

James Huston — August 29, 1862 ; transferred to Veteran Reserve 
Corps September 17, 1863 ; present postoffice address Tyrone, 
Pennsylvania. 

David E. Hagey — October 26, 1863. (Substitute.) Transferred to 
Company I 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865. 

William H. Henry— October 26, 1863. (Substitute.) Trans- 
ferred to Company I 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers 
June 1, 1865. 

JA:vrES HiNES — August 29, 1862; captured at Reams Station, Vir- 
ginia; died at Andersonville, Georgia, February 27, 1865; 
burial records December 9, 1864, Salisbury, North Carolina. 

Cyrus Horner — October 21, 1863. (Drafted.) Captured; died at 
Andersonville, Georgia, February 27, 1865. 

Enoch Hugg — September 1, 1862 ; discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
cate April 12, 1864; postoffice address, Philipsburg, Penn- 
sylvania. 

Thomas H. Irvin — March 1, 1864; transferred to Company I June 
1, 1865 ; discharged by General Order August 18, 1865. 

Joseph Iddings — August 29, 1862; wounded at Chancellorsville, 
Virginia, May 3, 1863 ; transferred to Veteran Reserve 
Corps June 27, 1864; died at Runville, Pennsylvania. 

William H. Kreps — August 29, 1862; discharged by General 
Order June 5, 1865 ; dead. 

William Keeler — August 29, 1862; prisoner from August 25, 
1864, to October 7, 1864; discharged by General Order June 
29, 1865 ; present postoffice address, Roland, Pennsylvania. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 945 

Daviu Kline — September 1, 1862 ; discharged October 18, 186-1, 
for wound received at Jenisaleui Planis; Ivoad, Virginia, June 
22, 1864, with loss of arm; died at Julian, Pennsylvania. 

William Knight — October 26, 1863, (Substitute.) Wounded at 
Five Forks, Virginia, March 31, 1865 ; transferred to Com- 
pany 1, 53d Itegimcut Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865 ; discharged by General Order June 13, 1865. 

Jacob Keiner — August 27, 1863. (Drafted.) Wounded with loss 
of leg at Boydton Plank lload, Virginia, October 27, 1861; 
transferred to 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers July 
1, 1865. 

Jacob C. Keysek— August 29, 1863. (Drafted.) Wounded and 
captured at Po Kiver, Virginia, May 9, 1864; died at Rich- 
mond, Virginia, July 24, 1864. 

Joseph Keelek — August 29, 1862 ; died at Falmouth, Virginia, 
April 4, 1863 ; buried at Roland, Pennsylvania. 

Abraham Killinger — August 29, 1862; died at Washington, D. 
C, September 16, 1863; buried in Military Asylum Ceme- 
tery. 

Oliver F. Keely— August 30, 1863. (Drafted.) Captured; died 
at Andersonville, Georgia, August 6, 1864 ; grave 4,895. 

Frederic Leonard— August 29, 1863. (Substitute.) Captured; 
died at Andersonville, Georgia, August 26, 1864; grave 
6,884. 

Robert Lipton — August 29, 1862; promoted to Adjutant 148th 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, September 8, 1862 ; died 
at Milesburg, Pennsylvania, April 20, 1863. 

John Lucas— August 29, 1863. (Drafted.) Transferred to Com- 
pany I, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865 ; discharged by General Order June 3, 1865. 

Jacob Lilly— August 27, 1863. (Drafted.) Wounded at Five 
Forks, Virginia, March 31, 1865; transferred to Company 
I, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

William M. Lohr— August 31, 1863. (Drafted.) Transferred to 
Veteran Reserve Corps April 20, 1864. 

Joseph W. Muffly — September 1, 1862; promoted to Sergeant 
Major 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers September 8, 1862, 
and to Adjutant April 27, 1863. Acting Assistant Adjutant 
General Fourth Brigade. 

Jacob Mishler— August 31, 1863. (Drafted.) Transferred to 
Company I, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 
1865. 



946 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Joii.N A. AiooijK — August ol, LS(;;}. (Drafted.) Deserted August 
31, 18(34; returned January 1, IbGa ; transferred to Company 
1, 53d liegiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1. 18(3;"); 
discharged by Gen'eral Order June 2, 18G5. 

Charles Mook — August 29, 18G2 ; wounded at Five Forks, Vir- 
ginia, March 31, 1865 ; died at Washington, D. C, April 7, 
1865; buried in National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. 

Chakles McGakvey — August 2'J, 1862 ; discharged on surgeon's 
certificate of disability March 11, 1863; died at Unionville. 

Godfrey Onstead — August 21, 1863. (Drafted.) Captured ; died 
at And'ersonville, Georgia (date unknown). 

William Pisel — August 31, 1863. (Drafted.) Transferred to 
Company 1, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania \'olunteers June 1, 
1865. 

James Poorman — February 15, 186-I-; transferred to Company 1, 
53d Regiment Pennsylvania \'olunteers June 1, 1865 ; post- 
offioe address. Linden Hall, Pennsylvania. 

Wilson J. Parsons — August 2*J, 1862 ; transferred to 162d Com- 
ically, 2d Battalion, \'eteran Reser\e Corps; died Februai'y 
23, 1865 ; buried in Poplar Grove Cemetery, Petersburg, Vir- 
ginia, division C, section 1), grave 105. 

John Peters — August 29, 1862; died near Morrisville, Virginia, 
August 17, 1863. 

George Pheasant — September, 1862 ; killed at Gettysburg July 2, 
1863. 

Thomas Quick — August 29, 1862 ; wounded at Cold Harbor, Vir- 
ginia, June 3, 1864; discharged on surgeon's certifiicate Janu- 
ary 4, 1865 ; postottice address, Runville, Pennsylvania. 

Andrew B. Roan — August 29, 1862; mustered out watli company 
Jtme 1, 1865 ; ]>reisent postofRce address, West Decatur, 
Pennsylvania. 

Joseph F. Ritter — September 1, 1862 ; transferred to Veteran Re- 
sei-ve Corps, April 20, 1864. 

James Rose — August 29, 1862; transferred to Veteran Reserve 
C^orps, date unknown. 

Armor Richards — September 1, 1862; died at Philadelphia, Penn- 
sylvania, November 17, 1864. 

Jacoij SiruLTz — Septendx^r 1, 1862; dischargod on surgeon's certifi- 
cate of disability August 20, 1863; died in Bellefonte, Penn- 
sylvania. 

John Shirk, Jr. — Septcudu'r 1, 1S(;2; mustered out with company 

June 1. 1S65. 



THE 148TH PEWSYLIAKIA I'OLUNTEERS 947 

Gkokge Stone — August -J!», 1S(J2; discharged by General Ordn' 
July 12, IStJS ; jMjstottice address, Johnstown, Pcutisylvania. 

Samuel C. Seavoi.t — Augiist 2U, ISOo. (Drafted.) Transferred to 
Company I, r)3d Regiment Pennsylvania ^'()luntO'ers June 1, 
1805. 

Isaac Stuait — August 'M, IbO;*. (l)raftetl.) Transferred to Com- 
pany I, ')'Sd Kegiment Pennsylvania Volunte(M-s June 1, 
IST);'); died in Fulton County, Pennsylvania. 

PuKDKRH'K Si.KGLK — August 31, 18(53. (Drafted.) Transferred 
to Company I, r)3d Kegiment Pennsylvania \'oluutc\rs June 
1, 1865. 

Jacob \V. SrxDAY — February U, l.s<14; transferred td Company I, 
53(1 Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 18(55; pres- 
ent postofiice address, Pennsylvania Furnace. 

]') K.N.I A MI. NT Sailor — >Sei>tember 1, 18(5:^; died at Cockeysville, 
Maryland, October i^T, 18(32; buried at Roland, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Jamks ScHKoYKi; — August 21), 1802; died at Cockeysville, Mary- 
land, DecendKr 3, 1862. 

WiLi.iA.M Stone — August 29, 1862; died at Falmoutli. Virginia. 
February 6, 18Vi3. 

Wii.i.iA.M ScHKoYEK — AugTist 29, 1862; died at Potomac Creek Hos- 
pital, Virginia, May 29, 1863. 

John Spotts — Sejitember 1, 1862; killed at Spotsyhania ('ourt 
House, :\ray 12, 18(54. 

JosKPii SiDKm. — August 31, 1863. (Drafted.) Killed at Five- 
Forks, Virginia, March 31, 1865. 

John Suafkek — G'ctober 26, 1863. (Substitute.) Died at Wash- 
ingtoji, 1). (\, j\rar('li 1, 1S(;5; buri;(l in National ( 'emetery, 
Arlington, Virginia. 

Jamks \V. Van ^'AI.IN — ^September 1, 18(52; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865; present ]>ostoffice address, Hiawatha, 
Kansas. 

CiiAREEs Walter — August 29, 1862; mustered out with eomi)any 
June 1, 1865. 

Peter Wylax — August 29, 1862; absent, sick at muster nut June 
1, 1865. 

P>ENjAMm F. Watkins — August 29, 1862; womnh d at Spotsyl- 
vania Court House, Virginia, jNlay 12, 1864; absent at mus- 
ter out June 1, 1865 ; died at Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania. 

Alexander C. Watkixs — Sei>tendK>r 1. 1862; dischariied on sur- 
o^eon's certificate ^farch 4, 1863. 



948 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

Samuel Wei,i.s — September 1, 1862 ; discharged on surgeon's cer- 
tificate January 1, 1865. 

William II. Wektz — March 14, 1864; transferred to Company I, 
53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

George W. Walker — March 14, 1864; wounded at Po River, Vir- 
ginia, May 9, 1864, and at Five Forks, Virginia, March 31, 
1865; transferred to Company I, 53d Regiment Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers June 1, 1865; discharged by General 
Order June 16, 1865 ; died at Runville, Pennsylvania. 

Henry Wolf — August 29, 1862 ; died near Stevensburg, Virginia, 
April 16, 1864; buried in National Cemetery, Culpeper 
Court House, Virginia, block 1, section A, row 7, grave 215. 

S. D. Witherow— August 31, 1863. (Drafted.) Killed at Spot- 
sylvania Court House May 12, 1864. 

Robert Wilan — ^August 29, 1863; killed at Petersburg, Virginia, 
June 16, 1864. 

William Walker — October 26, 1863. (Drafted.) Captured; died 
at Andersonville, Georgia, October 12, 1864; grave 10,797 

Matiiias Walker — August 29, 1862; wounded at.Chancellorsville 
Virginia, May 3, 1863; died at Milesburg, Pennsylvania 
December 4, 1864. 

Samuel Yeager — October 28, 1863. (Substitute.) Captured 
died at Andersonville, Gfcorgia, February 27, 1865. 

Isaac Zufall— August 31, 1863 ; killed at Po River, May 10, 1864. 

Benjamin Zimmerman — October 27, 1863. (Drafted.) Captured; 

died at Andersonville, Georgia, July 29, 1864; grave 4,255. 

XoTE. — It is much to be regretted that the Retained Copy of the 
original Muster-in Roll, which gave the age, occupation and place of 
residence of the original members of the company, together with all in- 
termediate muster and pay-rolls (including the muster-out roll) in 
possession of Capt. Wm. D. Harper, of Renova, were destroyed by fire 
a number of years ago by the burning of his residence. The only 
data at hand at this time, beyond the recollection of members of the 
company still living, is Prof. Samuel P. Bates' "History of Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers," which is not entirely reliable in some instances. 
Nothing whatever is known of the drafted men and substitutes sub- 
sequently assigned the company, as to their residence or occupation 
prior to that time. 

James F. Weaver. 

Milesbnrc:, Pennsylvania, Julv, 1904. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 949 

EOSTER OF COMPANY C, 148TH REGIMENT PENNSYL- 
VANIA VOLUNTEERS. 

The place of enrollment, so far as it can be ascertained, is given. 
The date of original enlistment cannot be secured, inasmuch as 
neither muster-in nor muster-out roll is available, and the date fol- 
lowing place of enrollment is, therefore, the date <if original muster- 
in at Harrisburg and Belief onte, Pennsylvania. 

Capt. Robert McKay Forstek — State College; mustered August 
30, 1862; killed at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, I8O0; 

Capt. Jacob B, Edmonds — Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, August 27, 
1862; pi-fomoted from First Lieutenant Company G Novem- 
ber 15, 1863; killed at Petersburg, Virginia, June 22, 1864. 

Capt. William E. Graham — 'State College, Pennsylvania, August 

27, 1862 ; promoted from Corporal to Second Lieutenant Aug- 
ust 1, 1864; to Captain October 3, 1864; resigned March 2, 
1865; died in Minnesota, 1902. 

Capt. John F. Benner — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 
1862 ; promoted from Sergeant to Second Lieutenant October 
3, 1864, to Captain May 15, 1865; mustered out with com- 
pany June 1, 1865; died in California November, 1902. 

First Lieut. William H. Bible — Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, Aug- 
ust 30, 1862 ; killed at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. 

First Lieut. Jacob S. Lander — Hublersburg, Pennsylvania, Aug- 
ust 27, 1862 ; promoted from Sergeant October 31, 1862 ; 
acting as Adjutant and Quartermaster; killed at Cold Har- 
bor, .Virginia, June 3, 1864. 

First Lieut. David G. Ralston — State College, Pennsylvania, 
August 27, 1862; promoted from Sergeant to Second Lieu- 
tenant August 26, 1863; to First Lieutenant July 31, 1864; 
killed at Reams Station, Virginia, August 25, 1864. 

First Lieut. Samuel Everhart — Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, Aug- 
ust 18, 1862 ; promoted from Sergeant Company G Octo- 
ber 3, 1864; commissioned Captain March 1, 1865 ; not mus- 
tered; killed at Five Forks, Virginia, March 31, 1865. 

First Lieut. Daniel Shuey — State College, Pennsylvania, August 
27, 1862 ; promoted to Corporal October 1, 1863 ; to Sergeant 
October 1, 1864; to First Sergeant March 1; to First Lieu- 
tenant May 17, 1865 ; mustered out with company June 
1, 1865 ; died since the war. 



950 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Second Iakvt. Francis Stevenson — JButtalo Kini, Pemisylvania, 
August 30, 1862; killed at Ohancellorsville May 3, 1863. 

FiBST Sekgt. Ezra B. Walter — Hublersburg, Pennsylvania, Aug- 
ust 27, 1862 ; promoted rfrom Sergeant May 17, 1865; mus- 
tered out with company June 1, 1865 ; lives at Hillsdale, 
Kansas. 

Fii;sT Sergt. Frederick Yocum — Hublersburg, Pennsylvania, 
August 27, 1862; discharged February 1, 1865, for wounds 
received at Spotsylvania Court House May 12, 1864: died 
since War at Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. 

First Sergt. John Craig — ^Buffalo Run, Pennsylvania, August^ 
27, 1862; wounded at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; 
discharged on surgeon's certificate May 5, 1865 ; lives Julian. 
Pennsylvania. 

First Sergt Charles C. Harman — State College, Pennsylvania, 
August 27, 1862; died at Washington, D. C, July 1, 1863, 
of wounds received at Ohancellorsville May 3, 1863. 

Sergt. James Knox — Buffalo Run, Pennsylvania, August 27,1862; 
promoted to Sergeant May 17, 1865 ; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865 ; lives Fillmore, Pennsylvania. 

Sergt. John F. Swileb — Buffalo Run, Pennsylvania, August 27, 
1862 ; missing in action Petersburg, Virginia, June 22, 1864. 

Sergt. Jerome B. Stewart — Augyst 18, 1863; drafted; promoted 
to Sergeant June 1, 1863; to Second Lieutenant 109th Regi- 
ment It. S. C. T. August 2, 1864. 

Si>rgt. Wilijam V. HuEY — State College, Pennsylvania, August 
27, 18152; wounded Chancellorsville May 3, 1863; promoted 
from Corjwral August 27, 1863 ; transferred to Company B. 
12th Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps February 15, 1864; 
discharged by General Orders June 28, 1865. 

Sergt. Abraham Green Carter — State Oollege, Pennsylvani'. 
August 27, 1862; promoted from Corporal January 5, 1863; 
killed at Chancellorsville May 3, 1863. 

Corp. James K. P. Ward — Gatesburg, Pennsylvania, August 27, 
1862; promoted to (^or]>ora] i^ovember 1, 1864; mustered 
out with oomj>aiiy .lune 1. 1865; lives Washington, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Corp. Auraham Wektz — Houserville, Pennsylvania, August 27, 
1862; promoted to (Vu'])oral Xovember 1, 1864; mustered 
out with company June 1, 1865 ; died since the War. 

CoKP. Jamks Fllenberger — Buffalo Run, TVnnsylvania, August 
27, 1862; promoted Corporal February 21, 1865; musten-.l 
out witli ('<>m|)any June 1, 1865; lives Julian, Peimsylvania. 



THE 148TH PEKKSYLI'ANIA VOLUNTEERS 



951 



Corp. Joiiis- G. Koiii.Nso.x — JJnliak) Kuii, Pennsylvania, August 27, 
1862; promoted to Corporal .Maj 17, 1865; mustered out 
with company June 1, 1865; died Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Christian Lowky — llouservillc, Pennsylvania, August 27, 
1862; w»ounded Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; 
promoted to Corporal August 15, 1864; nmstered out with 
company June 1, 1865; lives Buffalo Run, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Michael Hatt — Buffalo Run, Pennsylvania, August 27, 
1862; promoted Corporal May 17, 1865; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865. 

Corp. Patrick Campbell — State College, Pennsylvania, August 
27, 1862; promoted Corporal May 17, 1865; mustered out 
with company June 1, 1865 ; died since the War. 

Corp. Christian Swartz — Hublersburg, Pennsylvania, August 
27, 1863; discharged September 21st, for wounds re- 
ceived at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; lives 
Belief onte, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Samuel Bottorf — Pine Grove Mills, August 27. isiij- 
wounded Chancellorsville May 3, 1863 ; transferred to Vet- 
eran Reserve Corps February 16, 1864; lives Downs, Kansas. 

Corp. James Ray — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; 
wounded Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 18(53; trans- 
ferred to Veteran Reserve Corps February 15, ISIJI; served 
in Color Guard; dischargee] by General Onlers June 29, 
1865; died since the War. 

Corp. James T. Beck — ^»Iacksonville, August 27, 1862 ; promoted 
Corporal December 2, 1862 ; killed Chancellorsville, Vir- 
ginia, May 3, 1863. 

Corp. William T. McCalmont — ^Jacksonville, August 27, 1862; 
■promoted Corporal June 25, 1863; killed at Crettvsbur^-, 
July 2, 1863. 

Corp. Nathan M. Yarnell — State College, Pennsylvania, August 
27, 1862 ; killed at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

Corp. Hilano Biddle — Buffalo Run, August 27, 1862; promoted 
Corporal August 25, 1863; died December 28. 1864, of 
wtounds received at Petersburg, Virginia, October 8, 1864; 
burial records died at City Point January 28, 1865. 

Corp. Thomas C. Keys — Pine Grove Mills, August 27, 1862; pro 
moted Corporal; killed at Reams Station, Virginia. .\u<iu«' 
25, 1864. 

Corp. Lewis A. Wood — August 19, 1863; drafted; promoted Cor- 
poral ; killed at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864. 



952 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

Corp. John G. Mattern — Buffalo Run, Pennsylvania, August 27 
1862; promoted Corporal April 1, 1864; killed at Spotsyl- 
vania Court House May 12, 1864. 

Musician Lawrence B. Bathurst — Unionville, Pennsylvania. 

August 27, 1862; mustered out with company June 1. 

1865; died since tlie War. 
Musician William H. Harpster — Buffalo Run, Pennsylvania, 

August 27, 1862; promoted Principal Musician July 1, 

1863; lives Houtzdale, Pennsylvania. 
Musician Samuel D. Otto — State College, Pennsylvania, August 

27, 1862; promoted Principal Musician March 1, 1864; died 

since the War. 

privates. 

Albert Adams — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862 ; 
wounded at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; reported in 
Pates' History as having died June 11, 1864, and buried in 
.NTational Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia; is still living. 

Jackson Appleby — August 28, 1863; drafted; transferred to Com- 
pany K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865. 

George N. xVllen — February 25, 1864; wounded Po River, Vir- 
ginia, May 10, 1864; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps; 
discharged by General Order ISToveimber 21, 1865. 

AVebster D. Baker — February 25, 1864; transferred to Companv 
K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865 ; 
died at Plattville, Illinois', eRanuary 1, 1903. 

Isaac Bailey — Buffalo Run, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; trans- 
ferred to Company D, lOthRegiment Veteran Reserve Corps, 
February 14, 1864; discharged by Special Order April 18, 
1865; died since the War. 

Jacob Baird — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; 
killed at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

David Beck — August 28, 1863 ; drafted ; transferred to Company 
K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

George Brown — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; 
on detached service with ambulance dorps ; mustered out 
Avith company June ], 1865; lives Philipsburg, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

William Campbell — Buffalo Rnn, Angnst 27, 1862; killed at 
Ohanoellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

James Carner — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; 
ciaptured near Petersburg, Virginia, October 27, 1864; died 
Salisbury, TsTorth Carolina, TSTovember 24, 1864. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 953 

William Garner — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862 ; 
wounded Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863 ; trans- 
ferred to Veteran Reserve Corps September 1, 1863 ; died 
since the War, 

William Carson — Buffalo Run, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862 ; 
disdiarged December 24, 1864, for wounds received at Spot- 
sylvania Court House, Virginia, May 10, 1864; died since 
tlie War. 

Jacob L. Carter — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; 
wounded at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863; dis- 
charged July 29, 1865 ; died since the War. 

Henry J. Cartin — Buifalo Run, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; 
'discharged on surgeon's certificate August 17, 1863. 

Joseph Carver — Buffalo Run, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; 
killed Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Jul}' 2, 1863; buried Na- 
tional Cemetery, Section F, Grave 27. 

William Clark — October 25, 1863; substitute; transferred to 
Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 
1, 1865. 

John A. Cline — Hublersburg, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862 ; 
died Cockeysville, Maryland, December 8, 1862. 

John Coble, Jr. — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27^ 1862 ; 
mustered out with company June 1, 1865 ; lives Linden Hall, 
Pennsylvania. 

Andrew N. Corbin — February 25, 1864; transferred to Company 
I, 53d Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865 ; 
discharged by Greneral Orders July 8, 1865. 

Reuben Cronamiller — Houserville, Pennsylvania, August 27, 

1862; died June 4, of wounds received at Chancellorsville, 

Virginia, May 3, 1863. 
James P. De Armont — Hublersburg, Pennsylvania, August 27. 

1862; mustered out with company June 1, 1865. 
Jacob Dorman — Hublersburg, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862 : 

killed Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 
Abraham Fink — August 20, 1863; drafted; discharged by General 

Orders May 15, 1865. 
Abraham Freed — Buffalo Run, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; 

died near Falmouth, Virginia, January 10, 1863. 
Llewfllyn Fulton — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 

1862; on detached duty with wagon train; mustered out 

with company June 1, 1865. 



954 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

.Maktia Flmv — Iluhlersburg, Peinisylvsini'a, August 27, 1862; 
wounded Ohancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; trans- 
ferred to Veteran Reserve Corps May 3, 1865 ; lives at Port 
Matilda, Pennsylvania. 

Amos Gabkick — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862 ; 
wounded Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; dis- 
charged June 1, 1865; lives Belief onte, Pennsylvania. 

Geokge Gates — Gatesburg, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; dis- 
charged on surgeon's certificate April 20, 1863; died since 
the War. 

Daniel Gates — Gatesburg, Peniisylvania, August 27, 1862; died 
near Falmouth, Virginia, April 4, 1863. 

Samuel Gill — ^State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862 ; 
killed Deep Bottom, Virginia, August 14, 1864. 

Robert Grater — Hublersburg, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862 ; 
wounded at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; absent, 
sick, at muster-out. 

Siegfried Heiligstein — October 27, 1863, substitute; captured: 
died Andersonville, Georgia, December 8, 1864. 

Jonas Hersiiberger — October 28, 1863, substitute; transferred to 
Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 
1, 1865. 

David Hite — ^June 10, 1863, drafted; transferred to Veteran Re- 
serve Corps^ February 14, 1864; discharged by General 
Orders July 19, 1865. 

Samuel Hoover — October 28, 1863, substitute; transferred to 
Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 
1, 1865. 

John Jackson — ^State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862 ; 
wounded Chanoellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863 ; trans- 
ferred to 51st Company, Second Battalion, Veteran Reserve 
Corps November 16, 1863; discharged August 26, 1865, on 
expiration of term ; living Tyrone, Pennsylvania. 

Andrew Johnson — Buifalo Run, Pennsylvania. August 27, 1862; 
detailed with wagon train ; dischnrged bv General Order 
May 19, 1865. 

John Johnson — October 27, 1863, substitute; transferred to Com- 
pany K, 53d Regiment Pennsvlvania Voluuroers, June 1, 
1865. 

J. C. Joiinstonbaugh — February 25, 1864; transferred to Com- 
pany K, 53d Regiment Pennsvlvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865. 



THE 148TH PE\'KSYU'AXIA I'OLi'XTKKRS 955 

William 11. Ju.xks — August 20, 18 03, drafted; transferred tu 
Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 
1, 1865; discharged by General Order June 5, 1865. 

David Kreps — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; 
wounded at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863; dis- 
charged February 4, 1864; died since the War. 

AaNDRBW J. KLiNE^-August 29, 1863, drafted ; wounded and cap- 
tured Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1804; died Aauapolis, 
Maryland, October 4, 1864. 

IsAiAii KooisTTz — October 30, 1863, substitute; killed CoJd Harbor, 
Virginia, June 3, 1864. 

Wii.i.iAM Lambert — Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; 
discharged September 24th, for wounds received at Chan- 
cellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1803 ; died since the War. 

Samuel Lawson — Buffalo Run, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862 ; 
deserted December 13, 1862. 

JosEPir Lee — Hublersburg, Pennsylvania, Aug. 27, 1802; 
wounded Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1803; trans- 
ferred to Veteran Reserve Corps June 10, 1804; died since 
the War, 

Herbert W. LY:MA>r — October 19, 1803, substitute; transferred t<> 
Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvanita Volunteers, June 
1, 1865 ; discharged by General Order June 13, 1865. 

Alm ]Sr. Lyman — August 18, 1863, drafted; died near Stevensburg, 
Virginia, Aprh 10, 1864. 

William Lytle — Buffalo Run, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; 
discharged on surgeon's certifioate March 30, 1803. 

Ephriam Lytle — Buffalo Run, August 27, 1802 ; deserted June 28, 
1803. 

Pabian Matz — Buffalo liun, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862: 
wounded Five Forks, Virginia, March 31, 1865 ; discharged 
July 18, 1865; died since the War. 

James I. Mayes — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; 
discharged on surgeon's certificate March 14, 1803. 

Lewis Mayes — February 25, 1804; captured Fbrt Crater, \'irginia, 
October 27, 18()4"; transferred to Company K, 53d Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1805. 

Miles M. ^Iayes — Potters Mills, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1864; died 
May 18th, of wounds received at Spotsylvania Court 
House, Virginia, May 12, 1804. 

AViLLiAM II. Mavks — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 
1802; promoted to Hospital Steward Xovomlier 1, 1863; 
died since the War. 



956 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Henky Markle — Hublersburg, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862 ; 
died June 6tb, of wounds received at Ohancellorsville, 
Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

John H. Mastly — June 15, 1863, drafted; died May 11, of 
wounds received at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864. 

George M. Matthews — June 15, 1863, drafted; killed Spotsyl- 
vania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864. 

William R. Morey — August 18, 1863, drafted; wounded Po River, 
Virginia, May 10, 1864; transferred to Company K, 53d 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

William Mosier — October 26, 1863, substitute; disobarged May 
9, 1865_, for wounds received at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 
1864. 

William Musselman — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 
1862; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps January 6, 
1864; discharged by General Order June 17, 1865. 

Tjiomas McBath — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862 ; 
wounded Deep Bottom, Virginia, August 14, 1864j trans- 
ferred to Third Company, Second Battalion, Veteran Reserve 
Corps; discharged on surgeon's certificate August 5, 1865; 
lives in Ohio. 

John McDowell — August 18, 1863; drafted; died June 18th, 
of wounds received at Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 3, 1864; 
buried in National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. 

John McIvason — Buffalo Run, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862 ; 
died Falmouth, Virginia, March 17, 1863. 

Robert C. Neil — Buffalo Run, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; 
discharged on surgeon's certificate August 20, 1863 ; died 
since the War. 

Samuel Nichols — 'Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; 
transferred to Twenty-seventh Company, Second Battalion, 
Veteran Reserve Cbrps, September 30, 1864; discharged by 
General Order June 29, 1865; died since the War. 

William H. Norris — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 
1862 ; killed at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

Lemuel H. Osman — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 
1862; wounded at Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 3, 1864; 
discharged August 2, 1865; lives State College, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

George Osman — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862 ; 
killed at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863; 'buried in National 
Cemetery, Section B, Grave 53. 



1 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 957 

Henry Pennington — State College, Pennsylvania, Augnst 27, 
1802; wounded Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863, and 
at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; on detaclied service 
witli wagon train; mustered out with company June 1, 1865 ; 
died since the War. 

John W. Ports — August 31, 1863, drafted; discharged February 
10, 1865, for wounds received at Po River, Virginia, May 
10, 1864. 

Archibald S. Paul — June 1, 1863, drafted; transferred to Com- 
pany K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865. 

George Pottsgrove — Buffalo Run, Pennsylvania, August 27, 
1862; transferred to Fifty-seventh Company, Second Battal- 
ion, Veteran Reserve Corps, November 15, 1863 ; discharged 
AugTist 26, 1865, on expiration of term; lives in Philips- 
burg, Pennsylvania. 

Jacob R. Riioads — 'August 28, 1863, drafted; captured Spotsyl- 
vania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864; transferred to 
Company Iv, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 
1, 1865.'' 

Abraham Riffle — October 31, 1863, drafted; captured at Reams 
Station, Virginia, August 25, 1864. 

Daniel K. Reish — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; 
wounded at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; dis- 
charged by General Order May 3, 1865 ; died May 4, 1869. 

iJAviD Ross — Buffalo Run, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1862; mus- 
tered out with company June 1, 1865 ; lives at Buffalo Run, 
Pennsylvania. 

Henry Royer — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; died 
at Washington, D. C, June 30, 1863. 

Thaddeus C. Rumberger — Buffalo Run, Pennsylvania, August 
27, 1862; detailed as musician; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865 ; lives Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. 

Thomas E. Sherman — October 18, 1863, drafted; transferred to 
Company H, 24th Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps, Febru- 
ary 15, 1864; discharged by General Order July 25, 1865. 

Jacob Seese — September 1, 1863, substitute; killed at Cold Har- 
bor, Virginia, June 3, 1864. 

Simon Segner — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; 
killed at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

James Sherwood — October 19, 1863, drafted; discharged May 31, 
1865, for wounds received at Boydton Plank Road, Vir- 
ginia, October 27, 1864. 



958 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Patterson M. Shields — August 28, drafted; captured at Peters- 
burg, Virginia, June 16, 1864. 

David W. Shivery — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862 j 
"wounded at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; trans- 
ferred to Veteran Resei-ve Corps September 12, 1863 ; lives 
State College, Pennsylvania. 

David G. Smith — October 25, 1863, substitute; transferred t\> 
Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania V^olunteers June 
1, 1865 ; discharged by General Order June 17, 1865. 

William Smythe — August 27, 1862; discharged December 9, 
for wounds received at Chancellorsville', Viro-inia, ^lay 
3, 1863. 

John C. Sowers — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862 ; 
wounded Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; trans- 
ferred to Veteran Eeserve Corps November 13, 1863 ; dis- 
diarged August 21, 1865, at expiration of term of sei*vice ; 
lives at State College, Pennsylvania. 

Henry A. Sowers — State College, August 27, 1862; discharged 
February 24, 1864, for wounds received at Chancellorsville, 
May 3, 1863; lives at State College, Pennsylvania. 

AliCHAEL Spicher — October 28, 1863, substitute; transferred to 
Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 
1, 1865. 

William Stickler — State College, August 27, 1862; discharged 
on surgeon's certificate July 10, 1863. 

John Suders — October 23, 1863, substitute; transferred ti> Com- 
pany K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865. 

Christian Swiler — Housendlle, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; 
wounded Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863 ; trans- 
ferred to Veteran Reserve Corps September 30, 1803; died 
since the War. 

Smith Swiler — Houserville, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; miss- 
ing in action Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12. 
1864 ; supposed to have 'been killed. 

Henry Swartz — Hublersburg, Pennsylvania, Angust 27, 1862; 
discharged on surgeon's certificate April 11, 1863. 

Eli p. Tate — February 25, 1864; wounded Five Forks, Virginia, 
March 31, 18(»5 ; transferred to Company K, 53d Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865; lives at Huntingdon, 
Pennsylvania. 

Joiix TIH)^^As — Putfalo Run, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862; 
w'nuiidcd ( 'li:iiiccll(ii--\ill(', \'ii'G'inia. Mav '], 1863; trans- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 959 

f erred to Veteran Resen-e Corps November 18, 1864; died 
since the War. 

Zechakiaii Teuckenmiller — Hnblersburg, Pennsylvania, August 
27, 1862 ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps May 3, 
1864; discharged July 3, 1865. 

Christian Vaughn — Buffalo Run, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862 ; 
transferred to Veteran Resei-ve Corps September 1, 1863. 

Amos Ward — August 20, 1863, drafted; transferred to Veteran Re- 
sei*ve Corps February 14, 1864. 

John R. West — August 18, 1863, drafted; transferred to Company 
K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865 ; 
discharged by General Order May 26, 1865. 

Andrew G. Whitehill — Stat© College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 
1862; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps; discharged by 
General Order June 27, 1865 ; lives Lemont, Pennsylvania. 

Thomas Williams — State College, Pennsylvania, Augiist 27, 1862 ; 
discharged November 23d of wounds received at Chancellors- 
ville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; died since the War. 

Joseph Yetters — State College, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1862 ; 
wounded Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; trans- 
ferred to Veteran Reserve Corps May 3, 1864; lives Philips- 
burg, Pennsylvania. 



ROSTER OF COMPANY D, 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOI^ 

UNTEERS. 

Capt. Andrew Musser — ^Mustered August 30, 1862 ; died at Po- 
tomac Creek Hospital, Virginia, May 14, 1863. 

Capt. Alfred A. Rhinehart — Mustered August 28, 1862; pro- 
moted from Sergeant to Second Lieutenant March 1, 1863 ; 
promoted to Captain August 27, 1863; wounded at Po 
River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; discharged May 15, 1865; 
living at Irving, 111. 

First Lieut. J. E. Thomas — Mustered August 30, 1862 ; resigned 
January 10, 1863 ; died at Pine Grove Mills, Pennsylvania, 
in 1872. 

First Lieut. Israel F. Musser — Mustered August. 28, 1862; pro- 
moted from First Sergeant to First Lieutenant IMarch 1, 
1863; died at Potomac Creek Hospital Virginia, May 26, 
1863. 



960 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Fij;sT LiKUT. John A. Burcmfield — Mustered August 28, 1862; 
proinoted from First Sergeant to First Lieutenant August 

27, 1SG3; mustered out with company June 1, 1805; living 
at Pine Grove Mills, Pennsylvania, November, 1903. 

Second Lieut. Lewis C. Edmonds — Mustered August 30, 1862; 
resigned February 7, 1803; living at Ford City, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Second Lieut. Wm. Gemmill — Mustered August 28, 1862; pro- 
moted from First Sergeant to Second Lieutenant November 
16, 1803; resigned on account of wound received at Ohan- 
cellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; living at Allenwood, 
Pennsylvania. 

Second Lieut, Luther D. Kurtz — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; 
promoted from First Sergeant to Second Lieutenant April 
22, 1804; mustered out witJi company June 1, 1865; living 
at MilHinburg, Pennsylvania. 

First Sergt. John J. Fleming — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; pro- 
moted to First Sergeant April 22, 1861; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865 ; living at Connellsville, Pennsylvania. 

Sergt. William D. Ross — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; promoted 
to Serrgeant Augnst 30, 1863; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865 ; living at 500 Sixth St., Kansas City, Missouri. 

Sergt. S. P. Lansberry — Mustered August 28, 1862; promoted 
to Sergeant January 21, 1865 ; wounded at Chancellorsville. 
Virginia, May 3, 1863; mustered out with company June 
1, 1865. 

Sergt. Henry C. Campbell — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; pro- 
moted to Sergeant March 14, 1865; wounded at Chancel- 
lorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863, and at Spotsylvania, Vir- 
ginia, March 12, 1864; mustered out with company June 
1, 1865 ; died at State College, Pennsylvania, August 2, 1904. 

Sergt. Allen B. Cross — Mustered August 28, 1862; promoted to 
Sergeant January 1, 1865 ; wounded at Po River, Virginia. 
May 10, 1864; mustered out with company June 1, 1865; 
deceased, 

Sergt, Geo, M. Boal — Mustered August 28, 1862; promoted to 
Sergeant August 18, 1863; commissioned as Quartermaster 
of the 83d Pennsylvania Volunteers March 25, 1865 ; living 
at Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. 

Quartermaster Sergt. Samuel J). Musser — Mustered August 

28. 1862 : promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant September 
8, 1862 ; later on commissioned Quartermaster of Regi- 
ment; living at Scranton, Pennsylvania. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 961 

Sergt. John G. Bathgate — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; wounded 
at Betliesda Cliurcli, Vii-o-iiiia, May 30, 1864 ; transferred to 
Veteran Eeserve Corps March 14, 1865 ; discharged by Gen- 
eral Order July 8, 1865; deceased. 

Sergt. Samuel Harsiibergek — Mustered August 28, 1862; killed 
at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

Corp. William P. Holloway — Mustered August 28, 1862; pro- 
mioted to Corporal eTanuary 1, 186-1; wounded at Spotsyl- 
vania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864; mustered out 
^Y\\h ooanpany June 1, 1865 ; living at Orangeville, Illinois. 

(Jorp. David L. Kerr — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; promoted to 
Corporal Fehruary 28, 1864; wounded May 3, 1863, at 
Chancellorsville, Virginia; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865 ; living at Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. John H. Odenkirk — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; transferred 
to Signal Corps April 2, 1864; died at Potters Fort, Penn- 
sylvania. 

Corp, John C. Rote — Mustered August 28, 1862; promoted to 
Corporal August, 1863; wounded at Auburn Mills, Virginia, 
October 14, 1863; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps 
September 1, 1864; living at Axemann, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Charles F. Speaker — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; promoted 
Corporal April, 1864; wounded at ChancelloTsville, Vir- 
ginia, May 3, 1863, and at Totopotomoy Creek, Virginia. 
May 30, 1864; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, March 
14, 1865 ; living at Williamsport, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Simon Venada — Mustered August 28, 1862; wounded at 
Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; transferred to Veteran 
Reserve Corps March 14, 1865; living at Leiwisburg, Penn- 
sylvania. 

Corp. William Bickford — Drafted; mustered August 30, 1863; 
promoted to Corporal Mardi 14, 1865 ; transferred to Com- 
pany H, 5^3d Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

Corp. Jacob Cory — ^Drafted; mustered August 30, 1863; pro- 
moted Corporal January 1, 1865; wounded; transferred to 
Company H, 53d Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865. 

Corp. Charles F. Hohnbon — ^Substitute; mustered October 22, 
1863; promoted Coqwral March 14, 1865; transferred to 
Company H, 53d Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

Corp. James Osman — Substitute; mustered March 23, 1863; pro- 
moted to Corporal IMarch 14, 1865 ; transferred to Company 
H, 53d Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865. 

Corp. George W. Seal — Mustered August 28, 1862; killed at 
Petersburo;, Virginia, June 16, 1864; buried in Poplar 



962 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Grove National Cemetery, Petersburg, Virginia, Division L), 
Section C, Grave 148. 

Teamstek Jacob Koch — Mustered August '2b, lb62 ; mustered out 
witli company Jime 1, 1865 ; deceased. 

Musiciajv Fkanklin Mattekn — Mustered August 2S, 18(5:i; trans- 
ferred to N'eteran Reserve Corps August 10, 1863; company 
musician; living at Milesburg, Pennsylvania. 

Wj_Li>iAAi Bible — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; died at Potomac 
Creek Hospital, Virginia, May 10, 1863, of wound received 
at Chancellorsville, \'irginia, May 3, 1863. 

William Weaver — ^Mustered August 28, 1862; killed at Chan- 
cellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

JoJiN B. HoLLowAY — Mustored August 28, 1862; mustered out 
with company June 1, 1865, as musician; living at Bur- 
bank, Ohio. 

PRIVATES. 

GiiOBGE W. Allen — Mustered August 28, 1862; wounded May 3, 
1863, at Chancellorsville, Virginia; discharged for disability 
from wound April 20, 1865. 

i>Avii> AcivEii — Mustered August 28, 1862; died at Potomac Creek 
Hospital, Virginia, June 3, 1863, of wound received May 
3, 1863, at Cliancelloi-sville, Virginia. 

Setji Andkew — ^Drafted; mustered August 10, 1863; wounded; 
transferred to Company II, 53d Pcunsylvanin VolnntccMN. 
June 1, 1865. 

James Alvord — Drafted; mustered August 19, 1863; captured at 
Spotsylvania, Virginia, May 12, 1864; died in Richmond, 
Virginia, July 15, 1864. 

Jaaies Abott — Drafted; mustered August 19, 1863; died near 
Stevensburg, Virginia, December 10, 1863. 

Robert G. Bullock — Mustered August 28, 1862; wounded at Po 
River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; absent in hospital at muster 
out of company. 

Michael Bowers — Mustered August 28, 1862; mustered out with 

company June 1, 1865 ; living at Effingham, Illinois. 
Nathaniel Brown — Mustered August 28, 1862; discharged on 

surgeon's certificate of disability August 11, 1864; living 

at Fanners Mills, Pennsylvania. 
Jacob BRUBAKr<:R — Drafted; mustered August 19, 1863; discharged 

to date October 13, 1864. 
Mtchaet- Bumbaugii — Drafted; mustered August 19, 1863; dis 

charged to date September 18, 1864. 



THE J48TH PENNSYLFANLl VOLUNTEERS 963 

Benjamin Bloom — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; died at Potomac 
Creek Hospital, Virginia, June 11, 18G3, of wounds re- 
ceived at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 18G3. 

Archibald M. Beix — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; died at Wash- 
ington, D. C, October 17, 1863. 

Geokge W. Boiin — 'Substitute; mustered October 12, 1863; died 
January 12, 1864. 

Cyrus Bkubaker — Drafted; mustered August 20, 1863; killed at 
Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864. 

George Byams — Drafted; mustered August 20, 1863; killed at 
Cold Harbor, Virginia, elune 5, 1864. 

Sylvester Burdic — Drafted; mustered August 19, 1863; pris- 
oner at Spotsylvania, Virginia, May 12, 1864; died at An- 
dersonville, Georgia, August 12, 1864. 

William A. Carter — ^Mustered August 28, 1862; wounded n' 
Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864; dis- 
charged for disability July 28, 1865; died near Pine Grove 
Mills, Pennsylvania. 

Peter L. Carbough — Drafted; mustered August 19, 1863; 
wounded; transferred to Company H, 53d Pennsylvania 
Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

Philo Close — Drafted; mustered August 10, 1863; transferred 
to Veteran Eeserve Corps April 14, 1864. 

Able Close — Drafted; mustered August 10, 1863; died in Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania, July 14, 1864. 

Henry Confare — Drafted; mustered February 27, 1864; killed at 
Petersburg, Virginia, March 25, 1865. 

James J. Dresher — Mustered August 28, 1862; mustered out will' 
company June 1, 1865 ; deceased. 

Samuel B. Dennis — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865; living at Sherman Heights, Ten- 
nessee. 

Leonard Divelbiss — Substitute; mustered August 19, 1863; 
transferred to Company H, 53d Pennsylvania Volunteers 
June 1, 1865. 

Jacob Divelbiss — Drafted; mustered August 19, 1863; trans- 
ferred to Company H, 53d Pennsylvania Volunteers June 
1, 1865. 

Thomas R. Davis — Drafted; mustered Marcb 15, 1864; wounded 
and pri=;rmer at Poams Station, Virginin, August 25, 1864. 

Lewis H. Davidson — Mustered August 28, 1862; wounded at 
Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; transferred to Vet- 
eran Peserve Corps Febrnarv 15, 1864. 



964 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

Franklin Durst — Mustered August 28, 1862; killed at Chancel- 
lorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

John Durst — Mustered August 28, 1862; died at Harrisburg, 
Pennsylvania, Octo'ber 6, 1863, of wound received at Gettys- 
burg, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1863. 

Jacob Dunkle — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; wounded at Chan- 
cellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863, in eye, arm and leg; 
transfeTred to Veteran ReseiTe Corps March 16, 1864; living 
at Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania. 

David Etters — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; woiuided and prisoner 
at Spotsylvania, Virginia, May 12, 1864. 

Joseph L. Evans — Drafted ; mustered Septi'mber 17, 1863 ; 
wounded in eye June, 1864, in front of Petersburg, Vir- 
ginia ; transferred to Company H, 53d Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers June 1, 1865. 

Washington D. Eddy — Drafted; mustered August 20, 1863; died 
at Washington, D. C, April 7, 1864. 

Oliver W. Elliott — Drafted; mustea'ed March 17, 1863; died 
at Washington, D. C, April 27, 1864. 

J"oHN H. Fortney — Mustered August 28, 1862; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865 ; died at Tvrone, Pennsylvania, April 
3, 1887. 

Jacob A. Fisher — Musterred August 28, 1862 ; mustered out Avith 
company June 1, 1865; died April 19, 1904. 

David F. Fortney — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; discharged on 
surgeon's certificate of disability February 19, 1863; living 
at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. 

Charles A. Fisher — 'Drafted; mustered September 17, 1863, 
wounded; transferred to Company H, 53d Pennsylvania 
VolunteeTis, June 1, 1865. 

Emanuel Fox — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; died at Falmouth, Vir- 
ginia, January 28, 1863. 

Alfred W. Eraser — Mustered August 28, 1862; killed at Chan- 
oellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

Henry Grim — Mustered August 28, 1862; discharged on surgeon's 
oertificate January 16, 1863. 

Jeremiah Garis — Drafted; mustered March 31, 1864; trans- 
ferred to Company H, 53d Pennsylvania Volunteers June 
1, 1865. 

William Gable — Mustered August 28, 1862; died at Cockeysvllle. 
Marvland, November 14, 1862. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 965 

David Haksjiberger — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; wounded at 
Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; discharged Juno 
15, 1865, by General Order; living at Hublersburg, Penn- 
sylvania. 

WiTj.iAM F. IIeberling — Mustered August 28, 1862; wounded at 
Chanoellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; discharged by Gen- 
eral Order July 3, 1865 ; living at Benore, Pennsylvania. 

Jacob Harner — Mustered August 28, 1862; prisoner May 10, 
1864, at Po River, Virginia. 

Charles Hart — Mustered Augusit 28, 1862; wounded at Chanoel- 
lorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; discharged on surgeon's 
certificate September 14, 1863. 

M. V. HuFFMASTER — Drafted; mustered August 28, 1863 ; wounded 
near Petersburg, Virginia, March 25, 1865 ; transferred to 
Company H, 53d Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865. 

Daniel H. Harter — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; wounded at 
Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; transferred to Vet- 
eran Reserve Corps November 19, 1864; living at Rittman. 
Ohio. 

Israel Hoover — Drafted; mustered August 31, 1863; transferred 

to Veiteran Reserve Corps April 14, 1864. 
Samuel Holloway — Mustered August 28, 1862; killed at Chan- 

oellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 
Abram Hull — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; killed at Reams Station,. 

Virginia, August 26, 1864. 
William Himes — Mustered August 28, 1862; deserted September 

7, 1862. 
Daniel C. Holloway — Mustered August 28, 1862; promoted to 

Corporal September, 1863; wounded May 10, 1864, at Po 

River, Virginia; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, 

March 14, 1865 ; died at Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania, since the 

War. 
Palsor F. Imboden — Mustered August 28, 1862; killed at Chan 

oellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

John L. Kreamer — Mustered August 28, 1862; discharged by 
General Order June 8, 1865; living at Woodward, Penn- 
sylvania. 

John M. Keplers — Mustered August 28, 1862; wounded at F' 
Forks, Virginia, March 31, 1865. 

William B. Krape — Mustered August 28, 1862; discharged 
March 3, 1863; living at Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. 



966 THE ST OR Y OF O I R REGIMEXT 

David S. Kews — Mustert'd August 2b, 18(32; W(juuded at Chancel- 
lorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1803; disoliarged August 14, 
1863. 

William Knarr — Mustered August 28, 1862; killed at Chancel- 
lorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

Esic Kern — Drafted; mustered September 17, 1863; discharged 
May 15, 1865. 

James A. Kooney — Drafted; mustered March 20, 1863; wounded; 
transferred to Company H, 53 Pennsylvania Volunteers June 
1, 1865. 

John Kane — Substitute; mustered October 17, 1863; deserted 
April 28, 1864. 

Taskek K. Koch — Mustered xVugust 28, 1862; died of fever ;r 
York, Pennsylvania, June 1, 1863. 

Jacob G. Kane — Mustered August 28, 1862; killed at Chancel- 
lorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

Franklin Koch — ^Mustered August 28, 1862; killed at Chancel- 
lorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

George Leitzei> — Mustered Aug-ust 28, 1862; discharged March 
28, 1863. 

Emanuel Leitzel — ^Mustered August 28, 1862; died at Cockeys- 
ville, Maryland, of fever December 12, 1862. 

Jacob Leitzel — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; died at his home at 
Woodward, Pennsylvania, December, 1862. 

Samuel Leitzel — Mustered August 28, 1862; killed at Chanoel- 
lorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

Henry Long — Mustered August 28, 1862; killed at Chancellors- 
ville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

William Long — Mustered August 28, 1862; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865 ; living at Rebersburg, Pennsylvania. 

Jacob L. Lynn — Drafted; mustered August 27, 1863; absent at 
muster out ; living at Spirit Lake, Iowa. 

David L. Miller— Mustered August 28, 1862; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865; living at Pine Grove Mills. Penn- 
sylvania. 

Daniel ]\Iiller — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; discharged February 
8, 1863; died on his way home. 

Jacob Marshal — Substitute; mustered October 28, 1863; trans- 
ferred to Company H, 53d Ponusvlvauin Volunteers June 
1, 1865. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 967 

Leonaki) ]\[essimek — Substitute; mustered March 8, IsiU ; trans- 
ferred to Company H, 53d Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 

I, 1865 ; living near Pcnn Hall, Pennsylvania. 

John A. Murphy — ^Mustered August 28, 1802; killci] at Chancel- 
lorsville, Virginia, May 3/ 1863. 

David Mooee — Substitute; mustered October 31, 1863; died April 

II, 1864. 

Adam G. Myers — ^Drafted; mustered August 28, 1863; killed at 
Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 3, 1864. 

Heney V. McAllister — ^Substitute; mustered February 2, 1864; 
died at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, of wound received at Cold 
Harbor, Virginia, June 3, 1864. 

Adam JN"eaehood — Drafted; mustered March 9, 1864; transferred 
to Company H, 53d Pennsylvaniia Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

Daniel Osman^ — Mustered August 28, 1862; killed at Ohancellors- 
ville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

John Pugh — Mustered August 28, 1862; mustered out with com- 
pany June 1, 1865 ; living at Browerville, Missouri. 

Samuel L. Potter — Drafted; Mustered August 28, 1863; 
wounded ; transferred to Company H, 53d Pennsylvania 
Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

George W. Palsgrove — Drafted; Mustered August 28, 1863; died 
near Stevensburg, Virginia, December 31, 1863. 

Alfred A.. Eankin — Drafted ; mustered August 28, 1863 ; absent, 
sick, at muster out of company ; died in Bellefonte, Pennsyl- 
vania, in 1878. 

George M. Reeser — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate March 3, 1863 ; living at Windber, Penn- 
sylvania. 

John C. Pefsnyder — Drafted ; mustered August 28, 1863 ; prisoner 
from May 10, 1864 to April 25, 1865 ; transferred to Com- 
pany H, 53d Pennsylvania volunteers, June 1, 1865. 

Charles D. Runkle — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; wounded at 
Ohancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863 ; transferred to 
Veteran Reserve Corps December 18, 1863; living at 243 
Rochele St., Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. 

W'iltjam a. Reed — Mustered August 28, 1862; wounded at Chan- 
cellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; transferred to Veteran 
Reserve Corps December 18, 1863; died at Reedsville, Penn- 
sylvania, 1903. 

John Reed — Mustered August 28. 1862; kilh^l at ChaucoUorsvillo, 
Virginia. May 3, 186.^. 



968 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Charles A. Eamsey — Mustered August 28, 1862; promoted to 
Sergeant ]\lajor August 2, 186-i; promoted to Adjutant May 
15, 1865 ; mustered out witli Company June 1, 1865 ; living 
at Hillsboro, Illinois. 

Jacob Eeeser — Mustered August 28, 1862; wounded at Gettys- 
burg, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1863; wounded at Spotsylvania 
Court House, Virginia, May 10, 1864, and prisoner; died at 
Richmond, Virginia, July 14, 1864. 

John Y. Stover — Mustered August 28, 1862; one of the few that 
came out of Chancellorsville 'battle unhurt ; discharged 
by General Order June 27, 1865; living at Wolfs Store, 
Pennsylvania. 

Thaddeus D. Stover — Mustered AugTist 28, 1862 ; wounded at 
Chaneellorsvillei, Virginia, May 3, 1863 ; discharged Septem- 
ber 20, 1863 ; living at Rebersburg, Pennsvlvania, November, 
1903. 

John J. Stovek — Mustered August 28, 1862; killed at Spotsyl- 
vania, Virginia, May 12, 1864. 

Cornelius Stover — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; wounded at Chan- 

cellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; died at Potomac Creetk 

Hospital of wound May 17, 1863. 
George Shepard — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; deserted June 30. 

1863. 
Jacob Staer — Mustered August 28, 1862; discharged June 16. 

1863. 
Joseph Shiery — Drafted; mustered August 20, 1863; transferred 

to Company H, 53d Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865. 
Simon Shuman — Drafted; mustered August 28, 1863; transferred 

to Company H, 53d Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865. 
Charles J. Smith — Substitute; mustered October 19, 1863; 

wounded ; transferred to Company H, 53d Pennsylvania Vol- 
unteers June 1, 1865. 
Jacob Stull — Substitute; mustered October 19, 1863; wounded; 

transfeiTed to Company H, 53d Pennsylvania N^olunteors 

June Ij 1865. 
George Sweeny — Substitute; mustered March 1, 1864; transferred 

to Company H, 53d Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865; 

living at Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. 

Joseph Shirk; — Substitute; mustered March 21, 1864; wounded; 

transferred to Company H, 53d Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Peter Swisifer — Substitute; mustered March 19, 1864; wounded; 

transferred to Company H, 53d Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

June 1, 1865. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 969 

William Suttle — Substitute; mustered March 22,1864; wounded; 
transferred to Coinpany H, 53d Pennsylvania Volunteers 
January 1, 1865. 

Oliver E. Shekman — Drafted; mustered August 10, 1863; de- 
serted April 28, 1864. 

William B. Smith — ^Drafted; mustered October 30, 1863;^ trans- 
ferred to Veteran Eeserve Corps March 14, 1865 ; discharged 
by General Order August 3, 1865. 

Samuel Shannon — Mustered August 28, 1862; killed by accident 
at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, January 5, 1865. 

Henry Stayman — Drafted; mustered August 28, 1863; wounded 
at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864; died 
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of wound July 11, 1864. 

Joseph Vansickle — Drafted; mustered September 17, 1863; 
wounded November 3, 1863; discharged April 28, 1864, of 
wound received I^ovember 3, 1863. 

David H. Weaver — Mustered August 28, 1862; discharged June 7, 
1865, by General Order ; living at Pine Grove Mills, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Henry H. Weaver — Mustered August 28, 1862 ;_ discharged by 
General Order June 3, 1865 ; died at Aaronsburg, in 190.3. 

David H. Wance — ^Mustered August 28, 1862 ; wounded at 
Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863 ; discharged by 
General Order June 2, 1865 ; living at Philipsburg, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

David N. Wolf — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; wounded at Chancel- 
lorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; discharged May 10, 1865; 
living at Winslow, Illinois. 

George E. Williams — Drafted; mustered August 28, 1863; trans- 
ferred to Company H, 53d Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865. 

Jonathan E. Wolf — Mustered August 28, 1862 ; died at Ealmoutli^ 
Virginia, May 12, 1863, of fever. 

Solomon Winkleblecii — Mustered August 28, 1862; discharged 
on surgeon's certificate of disability January 15, 1864. 

David H. Young — Mustered August 28, 1862; wounded at Chan- 
cellorsville, May 3, 1863; discharged March 28, 1864; living 
at Aitch, Pennsylvania. 



970 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 



JlOSTYAl OF COMPA^^Y E, 148TH REGIMENT PENNSYI^ 
VAX I A VOLUXTEEES. 

Organized at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Angust 31, 1862, 
Mustered into United States service at Harrisburg, September 
1 and 2, 1862. 

Capt. Charles Stewakt — Second Lieutenant August 5, 1862, to 
recruit company; Captain September 2, 1862; wounded in 
foot at Obancellorsville, A^irginia, May 2, 1863; resigned 
September 25, 1863. 

Capt. John F. Sutton — Enlisted Plumville, Indiana County, Aug- 
ust 5, 1862 ; mustered as First Lieutenant September 2, 
1862; promoited Captain November 15, 1863; wounded 
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865; lives at Gallon, Ohio. 

First Lleut. William T. Clark — Enlisted August 6, 1862, Brook- 
A'ille, Pennsjdvania ; Sergeant September 2, 1862; First Ser- 
geant July 1, 1863; Second Lieutenant August 26, 1863; 
First Lieutenant November 15, 1863; wounded at Cliancel- 
lorsville, Virginia, May 2, 1863; discharged on surgeon's cer- 
tificate July 7, 1864; died since the War. 

First Lieut. Peter D. Sprankle — Enlisted August 19, 1862 ; 
Corporal September 2, 1862; Sergeant November 11, 1863; 
First Sergeant January 14, 1864; First Lieutenant Sep- 
tember 25, 1864; wounded and taken prisoner at Fort Crater 
in front of Petersburg, Virginia, October 27, 1864; mus- 
tered out with company June 1, 1865. 

Second Lieut. George Hamilton — Mustered Septeud>er 2, 1862; 
resigned Juno 1, 1863. 

Second Lieut. James M. Sutton — Enlisted August 16, 1862, at 
Indiana; Sergeant September 2, 1862; First Sergeant >/)- 
vember 10, 1863; Second Lieutenant January 13, 1864; dis- 
charged at Annapolis November 8, 1864, for wounds, with 
loss of leg, received at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864 : 
died since the War. 

Second Lieut. John Keni>y — Enlisted August 16, 1862, at In- 
diana, Pennsylvania; ap])oint(>d Corporal September 2, 1862; 
Sergeant January 1, 1863; First Sergeant September 24, 
1864; Second Lieutenant November 30, 1864; wounded at 
Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; mustwed out with com- 
pany June 1, 1865 ; died since the War. 



THE 148TH PENNSYL VANIA VOL UNTEERS 97 1 

First Sergt. Levi C. Smith — Enlisted August 6, 1862, Brook- 
ville, Pennsylvania; promoted First Sergeant September 1, 
1862; discharged on surgeon's certificate January 27, 1863. 

First Sergt. Robert A. Travis — Enlisted August 6th, Brook- 
ville, Pennsylvania; Sergeant September 1, 1862; First 
Sergeant August 20, 1863; commissioned Second Lieutenant 
September 26, 1863; not mustered; discharged by order of 
Secretary of War to accept appointment as Captain 8th Regi- 
ment United States Cotored Troops; resigned as such Feb- 
ruary 23, 1865 ; lives Tarentum, Pennsylvania. 

First Sergt. George Baughman — Enlisted August 6, 1862, at 
Ringgold, Pennsylvania; Corporal September 1, 1862; Ser- 
geant November 12, 1863; Firs,t Sergeant November 30, 
1864; diseharged June 9, 1865; lives Sprankle's Mills, 
Pennsylvania. 

Sergt. John L. Mabon — Enlisted August 21, Perrysville, Penn- 
sylvania; Corporal October 1, 1862; Sergeant December 16, 
1863; mustered out with company June 1, 1865; died since 
the War. 

Sergt. Daniee W. Smith — Enlisted August 10, 1862; Corporal 
December 21, 1862-; Sergeant November 30, 1861; dis- 
charged by General Order June 8, 1865; wounded at Po 
River M.ay 10, 1864. 

Sergt. Joseph H. Moorehead — Enlisted August 16, 1862; Cor- 
poral January 3, 1864; Sergeant May 30, 1864; wounded 
Cold Harl>or June 4, 1864; mustered out with company June 
1, 1865. 

Sergt. Chas. M. Law — Enlisted August 12, 1862; Corporal Octo- 
ber 1, 1863; Sergeant September 24, 1864; wounded at Po 
River May 10, 1864; mustered out with company June 1, 
1865; lives Markton, Pennsylvania. 

Sergt. William C. Devinney — Enlisted August 16, 1862; Cor- 
poral September 2, 1862; Sergeant November 16, 1863; 
Quartermaster Sergeant May 30, 1864; mustered out with 
Regiment; lives Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. George W. Roland — Enlisted August 17, 1862; Corporal 
September 2, 1862; died at York, Pennsylvania, December 
21, 1862 ; buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery. 

Corp. Jacob Roland — Enlisted August 18, 1862; Corporal Sep- 
tember 2, 1862; apparently reduced to ranks; deserted July 
1, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania ; afterwards enlisted 
in a Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment and served in the west- 
ern amiv : has died since the War. 



972 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

Coiii'. KoBEKT Gettis — Enlisted August 20, 1862; Corporal Sep- 
tember 2, 1862; detailed as company clerk; died near Fal- 
mouth, Virginia, February 29, 1863. 

CoKP. Isaiah L. Wells — Enlisted August 17, 1862; Corporal No- 
vember 1, 1863; died at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 
5, 1864. 

CoKP. Robert J. Crissman — Enlisted August 7, 1862, Punxsu- 
tawney, Pennsylvania; Corporal jSTovember 1, 1863; mus- 
tered out with company June 1, 1865; wounded May 10, 

1864, at Po River, Virginia; died September 17, 1904. 

Corp. Daniel R. Sutter — Enlisted August 7, 1862; Corporal 
January 15, 1864; mustered out witli company June ], 1865 ; 
wounded at Fort Crater October 27, 1864. 

Corp. John Milliron — Enlisted August 16, 1862; Corporal May 
30, 1864; wounded and taken prisoner August 25, 1864, at 
Reams Station; absent sick at muster out. 

Corp. Vincent Richards — Enlisted August 20, 1862, Brookville, 
Pennsylvania; Corporal September 24, 1864; wounded in 
thigh May 10, 1864, at Po River, Virginia; taken prisoner 
and recaptured by United States Cavalry; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865. 

Coup. William Byers — Enlisted August 16, 1862, Indiana, Penn- 
sylvania; Corporal November 30, 1864; absent sick at mus- 
ter out. 

Corp. Joseph Hallowell — Enlisted September 22, 1862; pro- 
moted Corporal February 7, 1865; feet frozen at Mine Run, 
Virginia, November 30, 1863; lost one of his big toes in 
consequence; mustered out with ciompany June, 1865; has 
died since the War. 

Corp. James S. Shoppard — Enlisted August 2, 1862; promoted 
Corporal February 6, 1865 ; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865. 

Corp. William B. Wilkins — Enlisted February 29, 1864; pro- 
moted to Corporal April 1, 1865; transferred to Company 
E 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865; 
died since the War. 

Corp. William J. Postlethwaite — Enlisted August 21, 1862; 
Corporal November 1, 1863; wounded Spotsylvania Court 
House, Virginia, May 10, 1864; died of wounds May 11, 
1864. 

Corp. Joseph J. Shofstall — Enlisted August 20, 1862 ; Corporal 
Jan.iary 1, 1863; killed at Five Forks, Virginia, May 31, 

1865, carrying regimental colors; buried in Poplar Grove, 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 975 

National Cemetery, Petersburg, Virginia, Division D, Sec- 
tion B, Grave 47. 

Corp. Matthew C. Allison — Enlisted August 16, 1862; Corporal 
November 1, 1863; died May 19, of wounds received at Po 
River, Virginia, May 10, 1864. 

Musician Johnston Hamilton — Enlisted August 13, 1862; mus- 
tered out with company June 1, 1865. 

Musician David N. Henry — Enlisted August 7, 1862 ; discharged 
by General Order June 7, 1865. 

Wagoner John S. Weamer — Enlisted August 16, 1862; died 
Cockeysville, Maryland, JSTovember 30, 1862. 

privates. 

James Aden — Enlisted August 16, 1862, Indiana, Pennsylvania: 
died Morrisville, Virginia, August 17, 1863; buried in Na- 
tional Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Block 2, Section E, 
Row 11, Grave 83. 

William R. Anderson — Drafted August 15, 1863; taken prisoner 
at North Anna, Virginia, May 25, 1864; transferred to Com- 
pany E, 53d Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

John Boyer — Enlisted August 16, 1862, Brookville, Pennsylvania; 
captured Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863; also 
Petersburg, Virginia, June 22, 1864; discharged June 1, 
1865 ; died since the War. 

Emanuel Bush — Enlisted August 6, 1862, Brookville, Pennsyl- 
vania; missing in action May 12, 1864, at Spotsylvania 
Court House, Virginia ; supposed to be dead ; burial record, 
died at Richmond, Virginia, September 15, 1864. 

Peter Burket — Enlisted August 21, 1862, Brookfield ; mustered 
out with company June 1, 1865. 

James Bear — Enlisted August 16, 1862, Indiana; discharged Jan- 
uary 30, 1864, on surgeon's certificate on account of gun shot 
wound received at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863. 

Clarence T. Barr — Recruited; enlisted February 29, 1864; 
wounded in hand in front of Petersburg; transferred to 
Company E, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 
1, 1865; lives Kingston, New Mexico. 

Isaac G. Cochran — Enlisted August 6, 1862, Brookville; on de- 
tached service with ambulance train ; died since the War. 

John A. Cummings — Enlisted August 27, 1862, Indiana; wounded 
in thigh May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia, wounded 
at Adams Farm, Virginia, March 31, 1865; absent sick ar 
muster out. 



974 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

James C. Ckamer — Drafted July 1, 1SG3; wounded Po River, Vir- 
ginia, May 10, 1864; deserted May 28, 1864. 

Henry Clingenbeeger — Enlisted August 16, 1862, Indiana; dis- 
charged on surgeon's certificate on account of disease con- 
tracted in the service, August 3, 1863. 

Amos Cryster — Enlisted August 16, 1862, Indiana, Pennsylvania; 
died in hospital at York, Pennsylvania, February 3, 1S63, 
of pneumonia. 

James DEVIN^'EY — Enlisted October 18, 1862, Indiana; discharged 
on account of disease contracted in sei'\'ice, on surgeon's cer- 
tificate June 10, 1863. 

WiEi.iAM F. Dill — Enlisted February 29, 1864; transferred to 
Company E, 53d Eegiment Pennsylvania. Volunteers, Juno 
1, 1865. 

Daniel P. Driver — Enlisted February 29, 1864; died on United 
States Transport on James River April 12, 1864. 

Alexander R. Dunlap — Enlisted August 7, 1862, Brookville; on 
detached duty as brigade pioneer; mustered out with com- 
pany June 1, 1865 ; died since the War. 

Samuel P. Edwards — Enlisted August 1, 1862, at Punxsutawney ; 
transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps September 30, 1863. 

William Evans — Enlisted August 16, 1862; transferred to Com- 
pany D, 19th Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps Se})tcmber 
17, 1863; discharged by General Order July 13, 1865. 

William Fisher — Enlisted August — 1862 ; died at Cockeysville. 
Maryland, October 10, 1862. 

Harmon Friday — Drafted October 30, 1863 ; wouuded May 10, 
1864, at Po River; transferred to Company E, 53d Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865 ; discharged 
by General Order June 26, 1865. 

Thomas Garret — Enlisted August 16, 1862, Indiana; wouudccj in 
ankle May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania Court House; absent in 
hospital at muster out. 

David Geariiart — Enlisted Waterford, Pennsylvania, February 22, 
1864; wounded in leg ^fay 10, 1864,' Po River, Virginia; 
transferred to Company E, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- 
unteers June 1, 1865; died since the War. 

Samuel R. Geariiart — Enlisted Waterford, Pennsylvania, F(>bru- 
ary 22, 1864; wounded in left arm May 10, 1864, Po River, 
Virginia; died Juno 7. 1864, York, Pennsylvania, of con- 
gestion of the lungs. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 975 

George Goodman — Enlisted July 2, 1863 ; transferred to Com- 
pany E, 53d Kegiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 
1865. 

George Groft — Enlisted August 21, 1862, Indiana; wonndod in 
knee at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863; di^cllarged 
by General Order May 29, 1865. 

William M. Hallowell — Enlisted September 22, 1862; mus- 
tered out with company June 1, 1865. 

John S. Harman — Enlisted August 26, 1862; taken prisoner June 
22, 1864, Petersburg, Virginia; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865. 

John Harmon — Enlisted August 18, 1862, Indiana; died Wash- 
ington, D. C, February 11, 1863; burinl record April 30. 
1863 ; buried in Military Asylum Cemetery. 

John M. Hartman — Enlisted August 13, 1862, Perrysville; dis- 
charged on surgeon's certificate at convalescent camp Feb- 
ruary 13, 1863. 

John C. Hoover, — Enlisted August 11, 1862, Indiana; deserted 
October 27, 1863, from hospital. 

Henry Horner — Enlisted August 17, 1862, at Indiana ; wounded 
in leg at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 18<;3 ; trans- 
ferred to Veteran Reserve Corps January 4, 1865. 

Lewis H. IrwixN — Enlisted August 16, 1862; died Septembi^r 18, 
1864, in hospital at Washington, D. C. 

Jacob H. Jamison — Enlisted August 21, 1865; wounded in right 
arm May 12, 1864, at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia; 
arm amputated at shoulder; discharged October 7, 1864, on 
surgeon's certificate of disability. 

Stagey C. Jones — Enlisted February 2, 1S64; ajipointed regimen- 
tal clerk; transferred to Company E, 53d Regiment Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

William Jordan — Enlisted August 16, 1862, Perrysville, Penn- 
sylvania; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps Api'il 7, 
1864. 

Benjamin F. Keck — Enlisted August 16, 1862, Brookville, Penn- 
sylvania ; transferred; to Veteran Reserve Corps July 27, 
1863. 

Erastus King — Drafted October 30, 1863; wounded in knee ^fay 
10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

Sampson Ivlingensmith — Enlisted August 16, 1862, at Ringgold; 
killed July 2, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 



976 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

Bkk.iami.n F. Kkamer — Drafted October 30, 1863; burial record, 
died at Beverly, New Jersey, September 29, 1864. 

Elias R. Kroii— Enlisted February 27, 1864; captured Reams 
Station, Virginia, August 25, 1864; transferred to Company 
E, 53d Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865. 

John Kunkle — Enlisted August 16, 1862, Indiana, Pennsylvania; 
wounded July 2, 1863, at Gettysburg; died in hospital a few 
days afterwards. 

Daniel C. Law — Enlisted August 12, 1862, Punxsutawney ; on de- 
tached service in band at division headquarters ; mustered ont 
with company June 1, 1865 ; lives Lyons, Iowa. 

JosEPJi H. Law — Enlisted August 12, 1862, Punxsutawney ; on 
detached service as bugler at brigade headquarters August, 
1863; killed near Farmville, Virginia, April 7, 1865; last 
man killed in Regiment. 

Wii.i.rAM Laininger — Enlisted August 11, 1862, Indiana, Penn- 
sylvania; deserted March 31, 1863, at Falmouth, Virginia. 

WiLEiAM Landers — Enlisted August 16, 1862, Indiana; died April 
8, 1865, of wounds received at South Side Railroad March 
31, 1865; buried in National Cemetery City Point, Section 
A, Division 4, Grave 65. 

Joseph Long — Drafted June 30, 1863; died January 5, 1864, 
Douglas Hospital Washington, D. C, from amputation of 
leg; buried National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. 

David F. Luckhart — E,nlisted August 16, 18B2, at Indiana; 
wounded July 2, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and 
May 10, 1864, in left knee at Po River, Virginia; died May 
30," 1864, at Armory Hospital, Washington, D. C. 

TiroMAs R. Luckhart — Enlisted August 16, 1862, Indiana; 
wounded in knee at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863; 
transferred to Company B, 18th Regiment Veteran Resen^o 
Corps, September 11, 1863; discharged by General Order 
June 1, 1865. 

John C. Moorehead — Enlisted August 16, 1862, Plumville ; de- 
tached service as mounted orderly headquarters Fourth Bri- 
gade, First Division, Second Corps ; mustered out with com- 
pany June 1, 1865. 

TiroMAS McEi.WEE — Enlisted August 18, 1862, Indiana, Pennsyl- 
vania; wounded July 2, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; 
niu>t('rod out with company June 1, 1865. 

^fovTGOiMEKY McFadden — Drafted August 15, 1863; taken pris- 
oner AiigiHt 25, 1864, Reams Station; tvansforred to Com- 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANU VOLUNTEERS 977 

pany E, 53d Regimeut Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865 ; discharged by General Order. 
John Meekens — Enlisted August 16, 1862, at Indiana, Pennsyl- 
vania; wounded in leg June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor; leg 
amputated; disoliarged May 29, 1865. 

William Milltron — Enlisted August 21, 1862, at Indiana, Penn- 
sylvania; taken prisoner August 25, 1864, Reams Station, 
Virginia; died afterwards, 

Eli R. Miller — Drafted August 15, 1863; captured Reams. Sta- 
tion, Virginia, August 25, 1864; transferred to Company E, 
53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865. 

George Miller — Enlisted August 21, 1862, Ringgold; wounded in 
leg at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863 ; discharged 
August 31, 1864, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by order of 
Secretary of War and appointed Adjutant 127th Regiment 
U. S. C. T., September 5, 1864. 

Jacob W. Miller — Substitute October 26, 1863; wounded in arm 
May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia; transferred to Company 
E, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

Andrew Minicii — ^Drafted October 31, 1863; killed Gravelly Run, 
Virginia, March 31, 1865. 

John Mountz — Drafted August 30, 1863; discharged from the 
hospital to date July 29, 1864, 

William S. Newcomb — Enlisted August 21, 1862, at Punxsutaw- 
ney; died in hospital January 5, 1863, at Falmouth, Vir- 
ginia, of inflammation of the brain. 

William P. Oberlin — Enlisted August 16, 1862, Indiana; taken 
prisoner March 31, 1865, at Gravelly Run; discharged by 
General Order June 5, 1865 ; died since the War. 

JosiAH Philips — Drafted August 2, 1863; wounded Deep B'ottom, 
Virginia, August 18, 1864; transferred to Company E, 53d 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865. 

Samuel A. Pilson — Enlisted August 16, 1862, Indiana, Pennsyl- 
vania; wounded in left arm at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 
1864; discharged by General Order June 6, 1865. 

John Pounds — Enlisted August 16, 1862, at Punxsutawney ; trans- 
ferred to Veteran Reserve Corps September 17, 1863; dis- 
charged by General Order July 8, 1865. 

JosiAH Postlethwaite — Enlisted Augiist 21, 1862, at Punxsutaw- 
ney; deserted from hospital November 2, 1863. 

William Pringle — Enlisted August 18, 1862, at Indiana; died 
August 24, 1864, on transport; buried in Cypress Hill Cem- 
etery, Long Island. 



978 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Emanuel Raybuck — Enlisted August 21, 1862, at Perrysville ; 
wounded at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863 ; dis- 
charged by General Order July 12, 1865 ; died September 
15, 1890." 

Henry Raybuck — Enlisted August 21, 18G2, at Perrysville; mus- 
tered out with company June 1, 1865. 

Hezekiak C. Reed — Enlisted August 16, 1862; transferred to Vet- 
eran Reserve Corps September 17, 1863; dis<*li;irg(Ml by Gen- 
eral Order June 30, 1865. 

Malchia Rhodes — Enlisted September 22, 1862, at Indiana; 
wounded July 2, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania ; mus- 
tered out with company June 1, 1865. 

Joseph Rising — Enlisted August 16, 1862, at Indiana; taken pris- 
oner October 27, 1864, at Fort Crater in front of Petersburg, 
Virginia; mustered out with company June 1, 1865. 

John G. Roland — Enlisted August 16, 1862, Indiana; wounded 
and taken prisoner Reams Station, Virginia, August 25, 
1864; died Eebruary 6, 1865, Salisbury, North Carolina. 

John B. Shall — Enlisted August 16, 1862 ; taken prisoner August 
25, 1864, Reams Station, Virginia; discharged by General 
Order June 22, 1865. 

Samuel Shilling — Enlisted August 7, 1862, Brookville, Penn- 
sylvania; wt>unded Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863; 
taken prisoner Reams Station, Virginia, August 25, 1864. 

Philip Sloppy — Enlisted August 14, 1862, Brookville; woundetl 
in leg and taken prisoner May 10, 1864, at Po River; died 
in Richmond, Virginia, December 17, 1864. 

David Smith — Enlisted August 7, 1862, Brookville; wounded July 
2, 1863, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; killed May 12, 186-t, 
Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia. 

John Snyder — Enlisted August 10, 1862, Brookville; wounded 
and taken prisoner May 10, 1864, at Po River, Virginia ; 
died December 7, 1864, at Richmond, Virginia. 

Joseph C. Speedy — Enlisted August 17, 1862, Indiana ; wounded 
in leg at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863 ; discharged 
September 1. 1S63, at U. S. G. ITosi)ital on surgeon's cerHfi- 
cate of disability. 

David E. Stamm — Drafted August 15, 1863; captured Reams Sta- 
tion, Virginia, August 25, 1864; transferred to Company E, 
53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

James L. Staggers — Enlisted August 10, 1862, Brookville; taken 
prisoner Reams Stati(m, Virginia, August 25, 1864; died 
Salislmry, North Carolina, Deceml)er 17, 1864. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 979 

Jacob M. K. Stkayer — Drafted October 30, 1863; wounded in 
ithigli Angust, 18(54; transferred to Company E, 53d Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania \'olnnteers flune 1, 1805; discharged by 
General Order June (i, 1865. 

Joseph L. Sutton — Enlisted Angust 16, 1862, at Indiana; died in 
division hospital at Ealmouth, Virginia, May 25, 1863. 

Edward Sweeny — Enlisted August 18, 1862, Indiana; discharged 
May 29, 1863, at Washington, D. C, on surgeon's certificate 
of disability. 

Robert P. Thompson — Enlisted August 16, 1862, at Indiana; 
captured Reams Station, Virginia, August 25, 1864; died 
Salisbury, jS^orth Carolina, December 8, 1864. 

Chambers O. Timblin — Enlisted August 13, 1862, Brookville, 
Pennsvlvania; discharged July 4, 1864, by sentence of G. 
C. M.*^ 

Geokge ¥ Ti.MJsLiN — Enlisted February 25, 1864, Waterford; 
wounded in left knee May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia; died 
Washington, D. C, June 3, 1864, of wounds; buried in Na- 
tional Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. 

Harvey H. Transue — Drafted August 10, 1863; wounded through 
the face May 13, 1864, at Spotsylvania Court House, Vir- 
ginia ; transferred to Company E, 53d Regiment Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

Peter Vancile — Drafted October 30, 1863 ; wounded in thigh June 
3, 1864, at Cold Harbor, Virginia; discharged from United 
States General Hospital, Washington, February 25, 1865. 

George D. Welch — Enlisted August 16, 1862, at Indiana; taken 
prisoner August 25, 1864, Reams Station, Virginia; died 
February 6, 1865, at Salisbury, North C^arolina. 

Lewis A. Welch — Enlisted August 16, 1862, Indiana; on detached 
service at division hospital; mustered out with company June 
1, 1865; died February 19, 1902. 

James K. Wells — Enlisted August 21, 1862, Indiana; wounded 
in face Gettysburg, July 2, 1863 ; discharged December 22, 
1863, at Washington on surgeon's certificate of disability. 

Daniel Clark Whitacke — Enlisted August 20, 1862, Indiana; 
died July 7, 1863, at General Hospital, Alexandria, Vir- 
ginia; burial record, June 28, 1863; grave 866. 

Philip Whitsel — Enlisted August 13, 1862, Brookville; wounded 
Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 5, 1864; died June (i^ 1864. 

Miles Wynkoop — Enlisted August 21, 1862, at Indiana; mus- 
tered out with company June 1, 1865. 



980 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

John S. Wynkoop — Enlisted August 18, 1862; wounded July 2, 
18G3, Gettysburg; died May 23, 1864, at Fredericksburg, 
Virginia, of wounds received at Po River, May 10, 1864. 

Henky Young — Enlisted August 13, 1862, Brookville; died Fred- 
ericksburg, Virginia, May 20, 1864, of wounds received at 
Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864. 



ROSTER OF F COMPANY 148TH REGIMENT PENNSYL- 
VANIA VOLUNTEERS. 

The place of enrollment, so far as it can be ascertained, is given. 
The date of original enlistment cannot be secured, inasmuch as 
neither muster-in nor muster-out roll is available, and the date fol- 
lowing place of enrollment is, therefore, the date of original muster- 
in at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 

Oapt. Martin Dolan — Milesburg, Pennsylvania, September 8, 
1862; discharged September 8, 1863; died since the War. 

Capt. William Potter Wilson — ^Potters Mills, Pennsylvania; 
September 1, 1862 ; promoted from First Lieutenant to Cap- 
tain November 15, 1863; served on division headquarter 
staif from spring of 1863 lio spring of 1864; transferred to 
corps headquarter staff spring of 1864; brevet Major Decem- 
ber 2, 1864; brevet Lieutenant Colonel March 13, 1865; 
Captain and Aide-de-Camp United States Volunteers May 
14, 1865 ; died August 6, 1886. 

Capt. Jacob Breon — Potters Mills, Pennsylvania; September 1, 
1862 ; promoted from Sergeant to First Sergeant March 8. 
1863; to Second Lieutenant November 15, 1863; to Captain 
May 15, 1865 ; mustered out with company June 1, 1865 ; 
died Altoona, Pennsylvania, April 21, 1901. 

First Lieut. George T. Curvan — Promoted from First Sergeant 
to Second Lieutenant March 2, 1863; to First Lieutenant 
November 15, 1863; discharged by Special Order November 
21, 1864. 

FiKST Lieut. William Lucas — Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania; pro- 
moted from Corporal to First Sergeant Marcli 28, 1865; to 
First Lieutenant May 15, 1865 ; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865; lives Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. 

Skcond Lieut. David C. Freeman — 'Cameron County, Pennsyl- 
vania; September 8, 1862; Private Company C, Bucktail 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 981 

(42d. Eegimeiit Pennsylvania Volunteers) ; was wounded 
Cross Keys June 8, 18G2; transferred and promoted to Sec- 
ond Lieutenant; resigned March 2, 1863 ; died since the War. 

First Sergeant William J. Mackey — Milesburg; promoted from 
Sergeant May 15, 18G5 ; commissioned Second Lieutenant 
May 18, 1865; not mustered; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865 ; lives Altoona, Pennsylvania. 

PiRST Sergt. Jeremiah A. Sankey — Potters ]\Iills, Sejitember 1, 
1862; commissioned First Lieutenant December 1, 1861; not 
mustered; died at City Point, Virginia, March 29, 1865, of 
wounds received at Petersburg, Virginia, March 25, 1865. 

First Sekgt. Robert A. Henry — September 1, 1862; killed at Po 
River, Virginia, May 10, 1864. 

Sergt, Simeon Bathurst — Milesburg, Pennsylvania, September 
1, 1862; promoted to Corporal April 17, 1863; to Sergeant 
February 26, 1865 ; mustered out w^th company June 1, 
1865. 

Sergt. Sylvester A. English — Cameron County, Pennsylvania, 
September 1, 1862; promoted to Corporal July 13, 1863; to 
Sergeant February 25, 1865; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865 ; lives Benezett, Pennsylvania. 

Sergt. John M. English — Cameron County, September 1, 1862; 
promoted to Corporal September 11, 1864; to Sergeant March 
29, 1865 ; mustered out with company June 1, 1865 ; lives 
Driftwood, Pennsylvania. 

Sergt. Samuel Stair — ^September 1, 1862; promoted to Corporal 
September 11, 1864; to Sergeant May 16, 1865; mustered 
out with company June 1, 1865. 

Sergt. William P. Phelps — Cameron County, September 1, 1862 ; 
discharged February 20, 1865, for wounds received at Po 
River, Virginia, May 10, 1864. 

Sergt. David Burrell — Spring Mills, Pennsylvania, September 
1, 1862 ; promoted Corporal August 29, 1862 ; Sergeant No- 
vember 15, 1863; discharged February 20, 1865, for wounds 
received at Deep Bottom, Virginia, August 14, 1864; lives 
Spring Mills, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. James S. Riley — 'Cameron County, September 1, 1862 ; pro- 
moted to Corporal September 14, 1863; discharged by Gen 
eral Order May 29, 1865. 

Corp. Henry Heaton — Milesburg, Pennsylvania, September 1, 
1862; promoted to Corporal September 11, 1864; on special 
duty at commissary department; absent sick at muster out; 
lives Yamall, Pennsylvania. 



982 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

C'oKP. J. W. Stkingfellow — Cameron County, September 1, 1862 ; 
promoted to Corporal July 11, 1861; wounded Po River, 
^"irginia, May 10, 1861, and at Reams Station, Virginia, 
August 25, 1861 ; absent at muster-out. 

CoEP. IsA P. Leigiitley — Milcsburg, Pennsylvania; September 1, 
1862; promoted to Corporal February 26, 1861; served with 
color guard; mustered out with company June 1, 1865; lives 
Yeagertown, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. William Bainley — Milesburg, Pennsylvania, September 1, 

1862; promoted Corporal February 26, 1864; mustered out 
with company June 1, 1865, 

Coup. David Irvin — September 1, 1862; wounded Po RiYfir, Vir- 
ginia, May 10, 1864; promoted Corporal March 25, 1865; 
mustered out with company June 1, 1865. 

Corp. William A. Jacobs — Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania, September 

1, 1862 ; promoted to Corporal March 26, 1865 ; mustered 

out with company June 1, 1865. 
Corp. Geo. W . Steffey — Huntingdon County, September 1, 

1862, promoted to Corporal March 26, 1865 ; mustered out 

with company June 1, 1865. 
Coiu'. James Potter — September 1, 1862; transferred to Veteran 

Reserve Corps September 12, 1863. 
Corp. Reuben Shirk — September 1, 1862; transferred to Veteran 

Reserve Corps April 18, 1864. 

Corp, Constantine IIinton — Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania, Septem- 
ber 1, 1862; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps January 
30, 1865. 

Corp. William H. Eurrell — Spring Mills, Pennsylvania, Sep- 
temiber 1, 1862; promoted to Corporal January 12, 1863; 
killed Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863 ; buried Na- 
tional Cemetery, Section E, Grave 7. 

Corp. Stephen Kennelly — Spring Mills, Pennsylvania, Septem- 
ber 1, 1862 ; promoted to Corporal September 28, 1863 ; 
killed at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864. 

Corp. Martin T. Irvin — September 1, 1862; promoted to Corporal 
April 26, 1864; killed at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864. 

Corp. Daniel Siiaeffer — Potters Mills, Pennsylvania, September 
1, 1862; died at Potters Mills April 9, 1863, 

Musician Thomas Minnicii — September 1, 1862; mustered out 
with comjiajiv June 1, 1S()5. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIA VOLUNTEERS 983 

PKIVATES. 

William W. Anderson — February 3, 1864; transferred to Com- 
pany G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865. 

Setii M. Abraham — October 14, 1863; substitute; deserted No- 
vember 5, 1863. 

George Armstrong — Milesburg, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1862; 
deserted July 18, 1864; returned; discharged by Special 
Order August 16, 1865. 

David Beiirs — ^SejDtem'ber 1, 1862 ; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865; lives Benore, Pennsylvania. 

Jacob J. Berger — October 7, 1863; substitute; died at Baltimore; 
Maryland, November 28, 1864. 

William H. Berger — October 17, 1863;^ substitute; transferred to 
Companv G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 
1, 1865.' 

William C. Bennett — Pcbruary 29,1864; transferred toCompany 
G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865. 

Frederick Bingman — October 2, 1863; drafted; transferred to 
Company G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 
1, 1865.'' 

John Barmoy — ■Frenchville, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1862; 
wounded Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863; trans- 
ferred to Veteran Reserve Corps January 2, 1865 ; died since 
the War. 

Elias Boyer — Milesburg, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1862; trans- 
ferred to Veteran Reserve Corps January 2, 1865 ; died since 
the War. 

John Cooney — September 1, 1862; wounded and captured at Po 
River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; died at Richmond, Virginia. 
June 19, 1864. 

Jonathan Camp — August 22, 1863; drafted; transferred to Coin- 
ipany G, 53d Regiment Pennsvlvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865. 

John Confer — September 1, 1862 ; discharged on surgeon's cer- 
tificate March 20, 1863. 

John Cogan- — August 22, 1863; drafted; transferred to Company 
G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

Henry Craw^ford — Spring Mills, Pennsylvania, September 1, 
1862; mustered out with company June 1, 1865. 

AsHER Crider — September 1, 1862; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865. 



984 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

Solomon Crider — September 1, 1862; died at Cockejsville, Mary- 
land, October 6, 1862. 

Alexander Creighton — Cameron County, September 1, 1862 : 
killed at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1863 ; buried in 
National Cemetery Section A, Grave 4. 

Lewis W. Culver — Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1862; 
transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps September 12, 1863; 
discharged by General Order July 1, 1865. 

James G. Dent — Cameron County, September 1, 1862; prisoner 
Chancellorsville, Virginia, May, 1863 ; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865. 

George W. Dunkle — Spring Mills, Pennsylvania, September 1, 
1862; discharged on surgeon's certificate March 5, 1863; 
lives Spring Mills, Pennsylvania. 

Charles Dunlap — 'Cameron County, September 1, 1862 ; died ar 
Stevensburg, Virginia, January 4, 1864. 

Eli Fritz — October 1, 1863; drafted; discharged on surgeon's cer- 
tificate February 23, 1864. 

James E. Fleming — September 1, 1862; captured; died at Salis- 
bury, North Carolina, January 18, 1863. 

LMiCHAEL Fox — June 1, 1863; drafted; transferred to Company 
G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865^; 
discharged by General Order June 24, 1865 ; lives Belleville, 
Pennsylvania. 

Hamilton H. Graham — Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania, September 1, 
1862 ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps February 15, 
1864. 

William Gares — September 1, 1862 ; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865 ; lives Williamsport, Pennsylvania. 

Inman a. Hallet — Cameron County, September 1, 1862; mustered 
out with company June 1, 1865 ; died since the War. 

Christ C. Havener — Cameron County, September 1, 1862 ; 
wounded at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863; pris- 
oner August 25, 1864, to March 1, 1865 ; discharged by Gen- 
eral Order June 27, 1865. 

George M. Harnden — September 1, 1862 ; discharged on surgeon's 
certificate December 20, 1863. 

James Henry — September 1, 1862; died J;inuary 1, 1865, while a 
prisoner in the hands of the enemy. 

Benjamin Hockenberry — October Y, 1863; drafted; died at 
Washington, D. C, August 28, of wounds rooeived at 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 985 

Deep Bottom, Virginia, August 16, 1864; buried in Na- 
tional Cemetery, Arlington. 
F. F. HoLLiNGs WORTH — February 3, 1861; transferred to Company 
G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

Isaac Hollingsworth — September 1, 1862 ; died at Falmouth, Vir 
ginia, April 1, 1863. 

Edward Houston — October 10, 1862; transferred to Company G, 
53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

John W. Howard — Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1862 ; 
transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps April 15, 1864; dis- 
charged by General Order July 8, 1865 ; died since the War. 

Abraham Hulsizer — October 8, 1863; drafted; transferred to 
Company G 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 
1, 1865. 

James O. Jordan — ^Cameron County, September 1, 1862; dis- 
charged on surgeon's certificate March 30, 1863. 

John H. Jacobs — Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1862 ; 
transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps September 12, 1863. 

Ira Johnston — ^^Cameron County, September 1, 1862 ; died at 
Washington, D. C, February 19, 1865 ; buried Military 

Asylum Cemetery. 

David Kennedy — August 22, 1863; drafted; died May 31, 1864, 
of wounds received at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, 
May 12, 1864; buried National Cemetery, Arlington, Vir- 
ginia 

Miles T. Ketner — Septemiber 1, 1862 ; discharged on surgeon's 
certificate January 16, 1863. 

Albert Lord — Cameron County September 1, 1862 ; captured 
Reams Station, Virginia, August 25, 1864; discharged by 
General Order May 20, 1865 ; lives Cameron, Pennsylvania. 

David J. Little — September 1, 1862 ; absent sick at muster-out. 

John D. Lucas — Snow Shoe, September 1, 1862; wounded at 
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863; absent at muster- 
out. 

John Lininger — September 1, 1862 ; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865. 

John Lingle — September 1, 1862; discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
cate March 5, 1863. 

William Lightner — September 1, 1862; transferi'ed to Veteran 
Reserve Corps September 12, 1863. 

Benjamin Little — September 1, 1862; killed at Spotsylvania 
Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864. 



986 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Martin H. Mac key — Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania, September 1, 
1862; discharged by General Order May 23, 1865; lives 
Altoona, Pennsylvania, 

John Mills — Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania, Septem'ber 1, 1862 ; 
wounded at Reams Station, Virginia, Angnst 25, 1864; mus- 
tered out with company June 1, 1865. 

William Miller — Spring Mills, Pennsylvania, September 1, 
1862; prisoner from August 25 to November 30, 1864; mus- 
tered out with company June 1, 1864; died McAlevey's Fort, 
1899. 

Nathaniel Miller — August 22, 1863; drafted; transferred to 
Company G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 
1, 1865. 

Henry Millan — October 17, 1863; drafted; transferred to Com- 
pany G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 
1865. 

David Martz — October 17, 1863; drafted; died at Milton, Penn- 
sylvania, November 12, 1864. 

Thomas Morgan — October 29, 1863 ; substitute ; transferred to Com- 
pany Gj 53d Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865. 

Samuel Mottarn — October 1, 1863; drafted; discharged by Gen- 
eral Order May 16, 1865. 

Patrick McEntyre — Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania, September 1, 
1862 ; mustered out with company June 1, 1865. 

Luke McAbee — September 1, 1862; missing in action at Spotsyl- 
vania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864. 

John McConnell — August 22, 1863; drafted; transferred to 
Company G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865. 

Robert McCreary — October 28, 1863; substitute; transferred to 
Company G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865. 

Michael McGinness — December 22, 1862; transferred to Com- 
pany G, 53d Regiment Pennsvlvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865. 

Jeremiah McKini,ey — Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania, September 1, 
1862; wounded at Gottysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863; 
discharged by General Order July 25, 1865. 

William A. Nichols — February 29, 1864; transferred to Gora- 
pany G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Vohmteers June 1, 
1865. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 987 

Jacob E. Nichols — October 18, 1863; substitute; transferred to 
Company G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 
1, 1865. 

Henry S. IsTolder — June 1, 1863 ; drafted ; transferred to Company 
G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865; 
lives Petersburg, Pennsylvania. 

David Olswals — Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1862 ; 
died at Falmouth, Virginia, April 3, 1863. 

William A. Parker — Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania, September 1, 
1862; wounded Reams Station, Virginia August 25, 1864; 
mustered out with company June 1, 1865. 

William Perry — Snow Shoe, September 1, 1862; served with 
pioneer corps; discharged December 19, 1864, for wound? 
received at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863 ; died 
since the War. 

John Pennington — Potters Mills, Pennsjdvania, September 1, 
1862; wounded at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863; 
transferred to Veteran Reson-e Corps February 15, 1864; 
died since the War. 

JoTTN B. Proudfoot — Milcsburg, September 1, 1862; transferred 

to Company G, 14th Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps ; dis- 

• charged by General Order June 26, 1865 ; died since the War. 

Joseph Sentman — Milesburg, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1862 : 

wounded Five Forks, Virginia, March 31, 1865; discharged 

by General Order June 2, 1865. 
John H. Smith — Cameron County, September 1, 1862 ; missing in 

action Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864. 
Philip T. B. Smith — September 1, 1862 ; v/ounded at Petersburg, 

Virginia, June 18, 1864; mustered out with company June 

1,1865. 
Simon Sipe — November 2, 1863; drafted; transferred to Company 

G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 
Charles Smull— October 6, 1863; drafted; transferred to Com- 
pany G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 

1865. 
Thomas J. Spencer — February 4, 1864; transferred to Company G. 

53d Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865. 

Regus W. Stewart— January 28, 1864; transferred to Company 
G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865. 

Wilson L. Stewart — January 5, 1864; transferred to Company 
G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865. 



988 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

George M. Steffey — Huutingdou Comity, September 1, 1862; 

killed at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1863. 
William O. Steffey — Huntingdon County, September 1, 1862 ; 

captured Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863; died at 

Riclimond, Virginia, January 17, 1864. 

David Specht — November 2, 1863; drafted; disdiarged JS^ovember 
1, 1864, for wounds received at Spotsylvania Court House. 
Virginia, May 12, 1864. 

Joseph Sunderland — ^September 1, 1862 ; discharged on surgeon's 
certificate March 5, 1863. 

Edward ^wab — Milesburg, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1862 ; mus- 
tered out with company June 1, 1865. 

John Swab — Milesburg, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1862; dis- 
charged by General Order July 12, 1865. 

Washington Watson — Snow Shoe, September 1, 1862 ; served 
with pioneer corps ; absent sick at muster-out ; died since the 
War. 

David White — Milesburg, Pennsylvania, Septem'ber 1, 1862 ; mus- 
tered out with company June 1, 1865. 

JJavid Wands — October 6, 1863; drafted; transferred to Company 
G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865. 

Joseph Wilson — ^October 22, 1863; drafted; transferred to Com- 
pany G, 53d Ilegiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 
1865. 

William Watkins — 'Miles'burg, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1862 ; 
died June 10, 1863, of wounds received at Chancellorsville, 
Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

Blair Woodcock — August 22, 1863; drafted; died of wounds 
received at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864. 

Jacob Weand — N^ovember 23, 1863; drafted; died June 18th of 
wounds received at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, 
May 12, 1864; buried in National Cemetery, Arlington, 
Virginia. 

John Welch — October 17, 1863; substitute; captured; died Salis- 
bury, Nortli Carolina, January 17, 1864, 

Harrison Zeek — August 22, 1863; drafted; transferred to Com- 
pany G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865. 

George Zulinger — February 10, 1864; transferred to Company 
G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 989 



KOSTEE OF COMPANY G, 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOL- 
UNTEERS. 

Capt. Robert A. McFaklane — See Roster of Field and Staff — 
Lieutenant Colonels. 

Capt. James J. Patterson — Enlisted August 5, 1862; age 24; 
mustered August 27, 1862, as First Lieutenant; promoted 
Captain September 8, 1862; wounded June 16, 1864, in leg; 
honorably discharged by Special Order No. 307, Headquar- 
ters Second Army Corps, December 3, 1864, on surgeon's 
certificate of disability ; address when enlisted Boalsburg, 
Pennsylvania; present address Shaver, Boone County, Ar- 
kansas. 

Capt. Isaac Lytle — -Enlisted August 5, 1862; age 20; mustered as 
First Sergeant August 18, 1862 ; promoted Second Lieuten- 
ant September 8, 1862; First Lieutenant November 15, 1863, 
and Captain December 22, 1864; wounded May 12, 1864, 
at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia; honorably discharged 
by Special Order No. 24, Headquarters Second Army Corps, 
January 24, 1865; died in New Jersey; buried at Harris- 
burg, Pennsylvania. 

Capt. John II. Hakpster — Enlisted Augiist 7, 1862 ; age 20 ; mus- 
tered Sergeant Aug-ust 18, 1862; promoted First Sergeant 
September 8, 1862; Second Lieutenant November 15, 1863; 
First Lieutenant December 22, 1864; Captain February 9, 
1865; wounded at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1863; 
mustered out with company June 9, 1865 ; address when en- 
listed Centre Hall, Pennsylvania; present address Rajah- 
mundry, India. 

First Lieut. Jacob B. Edmonds — Enlisted August 5, 1862; age 
31 ; mustered Second Lieutenant August 29, 1862 ; promoted 
First Lieutenant September 8, 1862 ; transferred to Captain 
Company C, 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers November 15, 
1863; address at enlistment, Boalsburg; killed at Petersburg, 
Virginia, June 22, 1864; left a widow, no children. 

First Lieut. Joseph Fox — Enlisted August 11, 1862 ; age 20 ; mus- 
tered Corporal August 18, 1862; promoted Sergeant August 
28, 1863 ; Second Lieutenant December 22, 1864 ; First Lieu- 
tenant February 9, 1865 ; discharged with the company June, 
1865 ; born in Centre County, Pennsylvania; i-esidence at en- 
listment. Center Furnace; was twice wounded; killed by a 
locomotive at Bellefonte, where he resided ; left a widow and 
sons and daughters. 



990 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Second Lieut. John W. Stuart — Enlisted August 5, 1862, age 17 ; 
mu&tcred August 18, 1862 ; promoted to Corporal September 
8, 1862; to Sergeant August 28, 1863; to Second Lieutenant 
February 9, 1865, acted Adjutant of -the Eegiment from 
Mardi 1st to March 25, 1865 ; acted Quartermaster of the 
Regiment from March 25th to June 9, 1862; wounded at Po 
Elver, Virginia, May 10, 1864; mustered out with company 
June 9, 1865 ; resided at time of enlistment, Boalsburg, Penn- 
sylvania; now resides at State College, Pennsylvania. 

I'lRST Sergt. Egbert LL Patterson — Enlisted August 5, 1862 : 
age 18; mustered as a private August 18, 1862; made Cor- 
poral November 6, 1862; Sergeant January 15, 1863, and 
First Sergeant November 15, 1863 ; wounded June 3, 1864, 
at Cold Llarbor, Virginia ; discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
cate February 6, 1865 ; was previously wounded at Gettys- 
burg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863 ; residence at enlistment, 
Peru Mills, Juniata County, Pennsylvania^ where he still 
resides. 

First Sergt. William L. Taylor — Enlisted August 5, 1862 ; age 
26; mustered as Corporal August 18, 1862; promoted Ser- 
geant July, 1864, and First Sergeant February 6, 1865 ; 
wounded at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; mus- 
tered out with company ; present address Harrisburg, Penn- 
sylvania. 

Sergt. William McGuire — Enlisted August 7, 1862; age 26; 
mustered Sergeant August 18, 1862 ; mortally wounded at 
Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863, and died May 9, 
1863. 

Sergt. Lot E. Ketner — Enlisted August 4, 1862 ; age 27 ; mus- 
tered Sergeant August 18, 1862 ; wounded at Deep Bottom, 
Virginia, August 16. 1864; mustered out Avith company. 

Sergt. William C. Holahan — Enlisted August 5, 1862, at Boals- 
burg, his home; mustered Sergeant August 18, 1862; trans- 
ferred to Second Lieutenant United States Colored Troops ; 
wounded at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 
1864; died at Eenova, Pennsylvania. 

Skrgt. James P. Odenkirk — Enlisted August 12, 1862; age 21; 
mustered August 18, 1862, as a private; promoted Sergeant 
January 15, 1863; transferred to the non-commissioned staff 
of the Eegiment July 1, 1864; home when enlisted, "Old 
Fort;" present address Warrensburg, Missouri. 

Sergt. Samuel Everitart — Enlisted August 4, 1862; age 21 ; mus- 
tered Corporal August 18, 1862; promoted Sergeant January 
5, 1863; transferred and promoted to First Lieiutenant 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 991 

Company C October 1, 1864; wounded May 12, 1864; killed 
April 30, 1865; see record of Company C; home Boalsburg, 
Pennsylvania ; buried in Spring Creek Cemetery. 
Sergt. James P. Shoop — Enlisted August 5, 1862 ; age 21 ; mus- 
tered August 18, 1862, as Corporal ; detached August 9, 1863, 
for duty with ambulance corps, where he served with etticiency 
to the end of the War; promoted Sergeant October, 1864; 
address Canton, Ohio. 

Sergt. John Martz — Enlisted August 5, 1862 ; age 21 ; home 
Shingletown; mustered Corporal August 18, 1862; promoted 
Sergeant January 1, 1865; mustered out with company; 
address Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. 

Sergt. Ithiel B. Snyder — Enlisted August 8, 1862 ; age 23 ; mus- 
tered private August 18, 1862 ; promoted Corporal July 28, 
1864; Sergeant February 6, 1865; mustered out with com- 
pany. 

Sergt. David H. Henney — Enlisted August 12, 1862; age 18; 
mustered private August 18, 1862 ; promoted Corporal July 
28, 1864; Sergeant February 6, 1865; wounded at Po River, 
Virginia, May 10, 1864; home when enlisted Centre Hall, 
Pennsylvania ; died Potters Mills, Pennsylvania ; buried at 
Sprucetown, Pennsylvania! 

Corp. George J. Duffy — Enlisted August 4, 1862 ; age 21 ; mus- 
tered Corporal August 18, 1862 ; killed in battle of Six)tsyl 
vania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864; born and reareil 
at Shingletown, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. George W. Went — Enlisted August 7, 1862; age 25; mus- 
tered August 18, 1862 ; by his o^vn choice became a private 
November 15, 1862 ; wounded at Deep Bottom, Virginia 
August 15, 1864; born and reared in Perry County, Penn- 
sylvania. 

Corp. William H. Swinehart — Enlisted August 5, 1862; age 22: 
mustered August 18, 1862; killed May 10, 1864, at Po 
River, Virginia ; born and reared near Oak Hall, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Corp. William I. Berry — Enlisted August 13, 1862; age 20; mus- 
tered private August 18, 1862 ; detailed as hospital steward 
First Brigade, First Division, Second Army Corps ^ promoted 
Corporal January 5, 1863; discharged from the volunteer 
service and enlisted as' United States h(>^]>ital steward by Spe- 
cial Order No. 252, War Department, July 28, 1864; born 
and reared near Lamont, Pennsylvania. 



992 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

CoBP. James M. Royek — Enlisted August 5, 1862 ; age 22 ; mu^s- 
tered private August 18, 18(32; promoted Corporal January 5, 
1863; mustered out with company; liome near Pleasant Gap, 
Pennsylvania; died February 7, 1888; buried at liebersburg, 
Pennsylvania. 

CoEP. Geokge W. Wakd — Enlisted August 5, 1862; age 21; musr 
tered private August 18, 1802 ; promoted Corporal January 
5, 1863; killed at the battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia, 
May 3, 1863; home when enlisted, Centre County, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Corp. William S. Van Dyke — Enlisted August 5, 1862; age 18; 
mustered private August 18, 1862 ; promoted Corporal Aug- 
ust 1, 1863; killed at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, 
May 12, 1864; home when enlisted, Peru Mills, Juniata 
County, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Daniel S. Keller — Enlisted AugTist 5, 1862, from his home 
at Boialsburg, Pennsylvania; age 18 ; mustered private Augu.st 
18, 18()2 ; promoted Corporal September 1863 ; transferred to 
invalid corps on account of wounds received at the battle of 
Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863, by Special Order 
No. 57, War Department, dated Eebruary 15, 1861; died 
and is buried at Belief onte, Pennsylvania ; held a prominent 
place at the Bellefonte Bar; was Lieutenant Colonel and 
Assistant Adjutant General IST. G. P. on staff of General 
Beaver. 

Corp. George Glenn — Enlisted August 5, 1862, from his home 
near the Branch ; age 19 ; mustered AugTist 18, 1862, a pri- 
vate; promoted Corporal September, 1863; discharged on 
surgeon's certificate of disability January 11, 1865 ; buried 
at Spring Creek Cemetery. 

Corp. Daniel I^oyer — Enlisted August 6, 1862; age 22; mustered 
August 18, 1862, a private; promoted Corporal May 13, 
1861; mustered out with company; home when enlisted near 
Pleasant Gap; present address Valley Falls, Kan. 

Corp. William A. Jacobs — Enlisted August 6, 1862 ; age 18 ; home 
Shingletown ; mustered private August 18, 1862; promoted 
Corporal October 3, 1864; wounded May 10, 1864, at Po 
River, Virginia ; buried at Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Joseph L. Harpster — Enlisted August 5, 1862; age 19, 
home at Stormstown; mustered August 18, 1862; promoted 
Corporal February 9, 1865; wounded at Chancellorsville, 
Virginia, May 3, 1863, and at Spotsylvania Court House, 
Virginia May 12, 1864; left for dead, fell into enemy's 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 995 

hands, was exchanged and returned for duty ; present ad- 
dress Port Matilda, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. James B. Irvin — Enlisted August 5, 1862; age 28; home^ 
near Penna Furnace, Huntingdon County ; mustered Aug- 
ust 18, 1862; promoted Corporal February 9, 1865; 
wounded at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 
1864, and at Fort Gregg October 27, 1864; mustered out 
with the company ; died January 4, 1893 ; buried at Steffis, 
Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. William L. Bottorff — Enlisted from his home near Center 
Furnace August 5, 1862 ; age 19 ; mustered a private August 
18, 1862; promoted Corporal February 9, 1865; mustered 
out with company ; present address Canton, Ohio. 

Corp. Anthony Knopf — Enlisted from his home at Linden Hall 
August 5, 1862 ; age 31 ; mustered August 18, 1862, a pri- 
vate; promoted Corporal February 9, 1865; wounded at Po 
River, Virginia, May 10, 1864, and at Adams Run, Virginia, 
April, 1865; mustered out with company; present address 
Oak Hall Station, Pennsylvania. 

Musician Daniel Schreffler — Age 33 ; drummer ; enlisted Aug- 
ust 8, 1862; mustered out with company; died in Illinois. 

Musician Mathias Rider — Age 22; fifer; enlisted August 11, 
1862 ; mustered August 18, 1862 ; mustered out with com- 
pany; present address Gatesburg, Pennsylvania. 

Wagoner Abraham M. Royer — Enlisted August 5, 1862, as team- 
ster, but served in the ranks; mustered August 18, 1862; 
mortally wounded May 30, 1864, at Totopotomoy, Virginia; 
died August 15, 1864; home at enlistment, Boalsburg. 

PRIVATES. 

Henry C. Allen — Enlisted August 5, 1862; age 19; residence 
Pine Grove; mustered August 18, 1862; served with the 
approbation of those in command and was discharged with 
the company June, 1865 ; present address Altoona, Penn- 
sylvania. 

John H. Allen — Enlisted August 8, 1862 ; age 25 ; residence Pine 
Grove; mustered August 18, 1862; detached June 13, 1863, 
as teamster in division train; so served to end of War; dis- 
charged with the company ; a good soldier. 

William Baily — August 2, 1862; age 18; mustered August 18, 
1862; served faithfully; engaged in many actions and was 
discharged with the company; present address Stormstown, 
Pennsylvania. 



t 



994 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

George K. Baker — Enlisted August 5, 1862; age 20; residence 
Oak Hall; mustered August 18, 1862; detached as provost 
guard at Philadelphia January 14, 1864; returned to the 
company August 24, 1864; s-erved with credit to discharge of 
company, both in the company and on detail ; present address 
Downs, Osborne County, Kansas. 

Benjamin F. Beans — Enlisted August 5, 1862 ; age 18 ; mustered 
August 18, 1862 ; wounded at Gettysburg July 3, 1863 ; killed 
at battle of Reams Station, Virginia, August 25, 1864; a 
true and brave soldier. 

Nathan E. Beans — Enlisted August 5, 1862; age 18 (was young- 
er) ; mustered August 18, 1862 ; missing in action June 16, 
1864, near Petersburg, Virginia; was prisoner of war; was 
released an invalid and discharged with the company, a brave 
soldier ; killed in Clearfield County by tree falling on him. 

Valentine Benskotre — Enlisted August 5, 1862 ; age 21 ; resi- 
dence Potters Mills ; mustered August 18, 1862 ; served well 
until winter of 1863 ; lost his health and was long in hospital 
and discharged for disability February 11, 1865, at Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania. 

John Bowers — Enlisted August 5, 1862 ; age 20 ; mustered Aug- 
ust 18, 1862; did good service; was made prisoner of war at 
Reams Station August 25, 1864; reported died in prison. 

Brice D. Brisbin — Enlisted August '7, 1862 ; age 20 ; residence 
Old Fort; mustered August 18, 1862; wounded at Gettys- 
burg July 3, 1863 ; prisoner of war in action before Peters- 
burg, Virginia, June 22, 1864; a very worthy soldier; dis- 
charged with company; present address Centre Hall, Penn- 
sylvania. 

Benjamin D. Condo — Enlisted August 8, 1862 ; age 18 ; residence 
Milheim ; mustered August 18, 1862 ; wounded June 3, 1864 
at Cold Harbor, Virginia; died of his wounds June 17th at 
Washington, D. C. ; a loss to his company and friends ; buried 
at Traversburg, Virginia. 

Charles M. Condo — Twin brother of the above, enlisted at same 
time; drowned in the Gunpowder Creek September 21, 1862 : 
a young soldier of much promise. 

Jarkd Condo — Enlisted August 8, 1862; age 19: residence Mil- 
heim; mustered August 18, 1862; detached June 3, 1863, as 
a blacksmith First Division Second Corps and so served until 
the end of the War; murdered by prisoner in Bellefonte jail 
while soiwing as turnkey July 29, 1904. 



I 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 995 

Daniel Condo — Enlisted August 8, 1862; age -il ; residence Mil- 
heim; mustered August 18, 1862; detached as blacksmith to 
First Division December 29, 1862, and served to the end of 
the War and mustered out with company; he and his sou 
Jared (above) were useful men; died February 11, 1869, at 
Spring Mills, Pennsylvania, 

John Davison — Enlisted Augiist 5, 1862; age 23; residence Boals- 
burg; mustered August 18, 1862; served with credit in the 
company until detached September 25, 1863, to be a teamster 
at brigade headquarters ammunition train and so served to 
end of War; mustered out with the company. 

William Devoke — Enlisted August 2, 1862 ; age 19 ; residence 
Champion Hill; mustered August 18, 1862; killed at battle 
of Deep Bottom, Virginia, August 16, 1864; a soldier brave 
and truie. 

Benjamin F, Dunkle — Enlisted August 13, 1862 ; age 22 ; Potters 
Mills; mustered August 18, 1862; wounded August 25, 
1864, at Reams Station, Virginia, and discharged by reason 
of same January 16, 1865, and the company lost a good sol- 
dier ; present address Lattesburg, Ohio. 

Heney Eckinroth — Enlisted August 5, 1862 ; age 29 ; residence 
Oak Hall; mustered August 18, 1862; lost arm at battle of 
Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863, while bravely fight- 
ing in the line; discharged jSTovember 21, 1863. 

Heney Fleishee — Enlisted August 11, 1862; age 21; mustered 
August 18, 1862; discharged by reason of physical disability 
January 16, 1865; he did much good service; present ad- 
dress Huston, Pennsylvania. 

Geoege W. Gilbeet — Enlisted August 6, 1862 ; age 31 ; residence 
Boalsburg; mustered August 18, 1862; wounded at Gettys- 
burg July 3, 1863 ; missing at Spotsylvania Court House, 
Virginia, May 12, 1864; there is little doubt that he was 
killed and lost sight of in that terrible rush ; he was a No. 1 
soldier; he left a widow and children. 

John Gilbeet — Enlisted August 5, 1862; age 24; mustered Aug- 
ust 18, 1862 ; detailed saddler at division headquarters Jan- 
uary 15, 1863, and thus he was never called on to do service 
in battle; discharged from Convalescent Camp, Virginia. 
July 17, 1863. 

Jackson Haetley — Enlisted August 4, 1862 ; age 21 ; residence 
Boalsburg; mustered August 18, 1862; fought in the line at 
Chancellorsville, Virginia, May, 1863 ; was detached to the 



996 THE STORY OF OVR REGIMENT 

ambulance corps June 25, 1863, where he served with credit 
until the end of the War and then returned to company and 
was mustered out with it. 

Francis M. Hess — Enlisted August 1, 1862 ; age 19 ; residence 
Centre Hall; mustered August 18, 1862; did much good 
service and was mustered out with the company. 

Jonathan Hoffnek — Enlisted August 15, 1862; age 18 ; rnustered 
August 27, 1862; detached December 29, 1862, to ambulance 
train where he served to the end of the War; wounded in 
the line of his duty June 5, 1861; discharged with the com- 
pany; present address Cornprobs Mills, Pennsylvania. 

George W. Isiiler — Enlisted August 10, 1862 ; age 21 ; residence 
Boalsburg; mustered August 18, 1862; mortally wounded at 
Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863 ; died May 6, 1863 ; 
h© fell bravely fighting in the line; buried at Boalsburg, 
Pennsylvania. 

William A. Ishler — Enlisted August 10, 1862; age 22; residence 
Boalsburg; mustered August 18, 1S62 ; lie served through the 
term as bass drummer of the Regimental Band^ and he was 
a good man in his place; present address Belief omte, Penn- 
sylvania. 

Thomas Johnstonbaugh — Enlisted August 9, 1862; age 19; resi- 
dence Oak Hall; mustered August 18, 1862 ; did good service 
and was discharged with the company ; present address Clear- 
field, Pennsylvania. 

Samuel Kelly — Enlisted August 7, 1862 ; age 42 ; residence Pot- 
ters Mills ; mustered August 18, 1862 ; always ready for duty, 
industrious in camp and full of courage, he did credit to the 
service, and his native Ireland ; mustered out with company ; 
buried at Sprucetown, Centre County, Pennsylvania. 

George Koon — Enlisted August 5, 1862 ; age 23 ; residence Boals- 
burg; mustered August 18, 1862; wounded May 10, 1861. 
at Po River, Virginia, and October 27, 1864, at Fort Gregg; 
an excellent soldier; discharged with company; present ad- 
dress Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania. 

William KooNSMAN-^-Enlisted August 9, 1862; age 19; residence 
Potters Mills; mustered August 18, 1862; he did not prove 
able for service; discharged March 6, 1863, after several 
months in hospital. 

David Koonfier — Enlisted August 11, 1862; age 24; residence 
Old Fort; mustered August 18, 1862; killed at Cold Har- 
bor, Virginia, June 2, 1864; a man who always did his duty 
the best he could. 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFJNIA VOLUNTEERS 997 

Thomas J. Lee — Enlisted August 6, 1862 ; age 23 ; residence Boals- 
burg; mustered August 18, 1862; detached December 4, 
1863, to be brigade bugler and so served to end of War and 
tben discharged with company ; his position proved his worth. 

Samuel T. Lytle — Enlisted August 5, 1862; age 33; mustered 
August 18, 1862 ; a good soldier until failure of health ; trans- 
ferred to the invalid corps April 15, 1864; present address 
State College, Pennsylvania, 

Isaiah W. Marks — Enlisted August 1, 1862; age 23; residence 
Juniata County ; mustered August 9, 1862 ; wounded May 
10, 1864, at Po Kiver, Virginia; discharged May 3, 1865, 
at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; was a neat, tidy soldier. 

James F. Maktin — Enlisted August 5, 1862; age 19; mustered 
August 18, 1862; scarcely physically strong enough, he perse- 
vered ; was lost several times in action ; did considerable duty 
and was finally discharged with company. 

David McCool — Enlisted May 5, 1862 ; age 22 ; residence Oak 
Hall; mustered August 18, 1862; wounded May 10, 1864, at 
Po River, Virginia ; was a good soldier, served faithfully 
and in the end was discharged with his company ; buried at 
Millroy, Pennsylvania. 

David D. McIliiattan — Enlisted August 5, 1862 ; age 21 ; resi- 
dence Center Eurnace; mustered August 18, 1862; wounded 
May 10, 1864, at Po River, Virginia; a brave and cheerful 
soldier; discharged with company; present address Oil City. 
Pennsylvania. 

George W. McIliiattan — Enlisted August 9, 1862; age 22; resi- 
dence Center Eurnace; mustered August 18, 1862; wounded 
May 10, 1864, at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia; died 
at Fredericksburg, Virginia, of wound June 5, 1864 ; brave, 
cheerful and the life of the camp. 

David W. Miller— Enlisted August 4, 1862; age 18 (really 16) ; 
mustered August 18, 1862; residence Shingletown ; one of 
the youngest of the Regiment he did the duty of a man; 
wounded at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863 ; served 
with credit to the end of the War and was discharged with 
the company ; lives Pine Grove Mills, Pennsylvania. 

William Mitchell — ^Enlisted August 6, 1862; age 32; mustered 
August 18, 1862 ; detached September 25, 1863, to be a team- 
ster in Fourth Brigade train and so served to end of War ; 
discharged with company; buried at Waterstreet, Hunting- 
don County, Pennsylvania. 






998 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

John Moyer — or Myer or Myers as variably spelled; enlisted Aug- 
ust 5, 1862; age 21; residence Boalsburg; mustered August 
18, 1862 ; served a good soldier through the War and was 
discharged with company ; buried at Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. 

John H. Moyer — Enlisted August 13, 1862; age 23; residence 
Boalsburg; mustered August 18, 1862; wounded at Chance!- 
lorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; there was no better soldier 
in the company ; mustered out with company ; present address 
Hiawatha, Kansas. 

Adams T. Murphy — Enlisted August 4, 1862 ; age 18 ; residence 
Champion Hill; mustered August 18, 1862; wounded May 
10, 1864, at Po Eiver, Virginia; no man in the company did 
more or better service than this boy ; discharged with the com- 
pany ; present address Grampion, Pennsylvania. 

Daniel G. Musser — Enlisted August 4, 1862; age 19; residence 
Pine Grove; mustered August 18, 1862; died of congestive 
fever at Camp Hancock, Virginia, January 11, 1863 ; buried 
at Pine Grove Mills, Pennsylvania. 

Amos Myers — Enlisted August 5, 1862 ; age 22 ; residence Boals- 
burg; mustered August 18, 1862; killed at Gettysburg, Penn- 
sylvania, July 3, 1863; in him Company G lost one of her 
best men. 

Reuben Page — Enlisted August 5, 1862; age 39; residence Center 
Hall; mustered August 18, 1862; detached December 28, 

1862, to serve with the ambulance corps and served most effi- 
ciently to the end ; there was no risk he would not run to 
reach and carry off a wounded man ; discharged with his 
company ; died and is buried at Linden Hall, Pennsylvania. 

Reuben Reed — Enlisted August 9, 1862; age 21; mustered Aug- 
ust 18, 1862 ; wounded Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 3, 

1863, Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864, 
and at Reams Station August 25, 1864; an excellent soldier; 
after faithful service he was discharged with company; died 
February 10, 1901; buried at Pine Grove Mills, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Samuel Reel — Enlisted August 5, 1862 ; age 18 ; residence Boals- 
burg; mustered August 18, 1862; wounded August 25, 1864, 
at Reams Station, Virginia; discharged with company after 
good service; present address Tyrone, Pennsylvania. 

John T. Riley — Enlisted August 5, 1862; age 20; residence Boals- 
burg; mustered August 18, 1862 ; did much good service; was 
also sick in hopital for long intervals; mustered out with 
company ; buried at Burmingham, Pennsylvania. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLr.miJ VOLUNTEERS 999 

Alexander B. Eoss— Enlisted August 11, 1862; age 24; residence 
Pine Grove Mills; mustered August 18, 1862; wounded at 
Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863 ; after this did not 
do much field duty ; up to this time was a rugged soldier. 

John H. Eumbakger — Enlisted August 7, 1862; age 18 (in reality 
only 15); mustered August 18, 1862; transferred to the in- 
valid corps July 16, 1863; transferred back to company 
.May -lo, iy(i4; uiissiiig in action near Petersburg, Virginia, 
June 16, 1864; was prisoner till end of War; this was an 
ambitious and intrepid boy. 

George W. Shaffer— Enlisted Augiist 9, 1862 ; age 27 ; mustered 
August 18, 1862 ; he was a delicate man and did most of his 
service at hospital ; mustered out with company. 

David W. Shires — Enlisted August 12, 1862; age 18; residence 
Potters Mills; mustered August 18, 1862; died of typhoid 
fever December 14, 1862 ; buried at Spruoetown, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Thomas Singleton — Enlisted August 11, 1862; age 18; residence 
Center Furnace; mustered August 18, 1862; wounded at Po 
River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; brave, cool and daring, he 
was one of thO'Se who helped make Company G what she was : 
mustered out with (•oni])any; ])rc'sent address Kittaning 
Point, Pennsylvania. 

Samuel H. Snyder — Enlisted August 6, 1862 ; mustered August 
18, 1862 ; wounded at battle of Po River, Virginia, May 10, 
1864; died August 22, 1864 in hospital at Washington D. C. 

David Stover — Enlisted August 7, 1862; age 26; residence Boals- 
burg; mustered August 18, 1862 ; wounded May 10, 1864, at 
Po River; recovered and returned to company; a fine sample 
of the Christian soldier, true and brave ; mustered out with 
the company ; address Lincoln Center, Kansas. 

Hiram Sweetwood — Enlisted August 4, 1862 ; age 23 ; mustered 
August 18 ; detached October 2, 1863 ; teamster in division 
wagon train to end of War ; a good man wherever placed : 
mustered out with company. 

James A. Thompson — Enlisted August 5, 1862 ; age 18 ; residence 
Boalsburg; mustered August 18, 1862; detached as courier 
at corps headquarters to end of War; wounded at Gettys- 
burg July 3, 1863; a model soldier in every line of duty ; 
mustered out with company; present address James A. 
Thompson, M. D., Stormstown, Pennsylvania. 

William A. Thompson — Enlisted August 5, 1862; residence Pot- 
ters Mills; mustered August 18, 1862; killed June 1, 1864, 



1 000 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

near Hanovertown, Virginia; he did all he could for his 
country. 

Samuel W. Webb — Enlisted August 4, 1862; age 19; mustered 
August 18, 1862 ; was a particularly good soldier until July 
8, 1863, when he deserted, to the surprise of all. 

James A, Williams — Enlisted August 8, 1862; age 21; mustered 
August 18, 1862 ; killed in the charge at Gettysburg in the 
very front July 2, 1863 ; a tidy, brave and responsible sol- 
dier, a loss to his country. 

William W. Williams — Enlisted August 11, 1862; age 24; resi- 
dence Lamonte ; mustered August 18, 1862; died of chronic 
gastritis November 11, 1864; a worthy man and excellent 
soldier; buried at Spring Creek Cemetery. 

William Wingaed — Enlisted August 12, 1862 ; age 22 ; residence 
Potters Mills August 18, 1862; captured August 25, 1864; 
died in Andersonville prison ; he was a good soldier. 

Geokge W. Yarlett — Enlisted August 11, 1862; age 40; mustered 
August 18, 1862 ; captured August 25, 1864, at Reams Sta- 
tion, Virginia ; died in Andersonville prison ; he did a large 
amount of good service before capture. 

John E. Youts — Enlisted August 8, 1862; age 21; residence Pot- 
ters Mills; mustered August 18, 1862; wounded at Chancel- 
lorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; lingered long in hospital 
and was transferred to the invalid corps April 15, 1864, and 
from there discharged ; he was a prime soldier. 

recruits of company g. 

William Betts — Drafted September 1, 1863, Sixteenth District 
Chambersburg ; joined company November 19, 1863; a first- 
class soldier ; his home was in Bedford County. 

Henry A. Bottorff — Enlisted at Boalsburg by Captain Patterson 
February 20, 1864; mustered February 25, 1864; age 18; 
was a good soldier; discharged with company; present ad- 
dress Do^vns, Kansas. 

John H. Breon — Enlisted November 25, 1862; deserted; was 
never in action ; was no good. 

William H. Fulton — Enlisted by Captain Patterson at Bellefonte, 
February 22, 1864; age 19 ; residence Center Furnace; mus- 
tered February 26, 1864; wounded May 12, 1864, at Spot- 
sylvania Court House, Virginia; returned for duty; dis- 
charged with the company after good service; present ad- 
dress Dakota, Illinois. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1001 

William H. Garbrick— Enlisted at Bellefonte by Captain Patter- 
son February 25, 1864; mustered February 25, 1864; 
wounded June 11, 1864, on picket before Cold Harbor, Vir- 
ginia; mustered out with company; he did his duty well; 
present address Tyrone, Pennsylvania. 

Thomas J. Gates — Enlisted at Boalsburg by Captain Patterson 
February 22, 1864; mustered February 25, 1864; did good 
service and was discharged with the company; present ad- 
dress Mill Creek, Pennsylvania. 

Philip Glessner — Drafted September 1, 1863, Sixteenth District, 
Chambersburg ; residence Bedford County; wounded May 
13, 1864, at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, on picket ; 
after a time returned to duty ; was a superior soldier. 

William M. Gross — Drafted Fourteenth District at Selins Grove ; 
joined company November 19, 1863; killed May 12, 1864. 
at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia ; he was an exception- 
ally good soldier. 

Samuel Hamer — Enlisted at Boalsburg by Captain Patterson Feb- 
ruary 22, 1864; mustered February 25, 1864; killed on 
picket in front of Petersburg, Virginia, October, 1864; thus 
he fell in the line of his duty. 

Benjamin Housel — Enlisted by Captain Patterson at Bellefonte 
February I5th and mustered February 25, 1864; joined for 
duty with company April 15th; sent to hospital May 1st and 
never returned to company for duty until time to be mus- 
tered out with it ; buried at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. 

Francis M. May — Drafted September 1, 1863, Sixteenth Districts 
Chambersburg; residence Bedford County; joined company 
jSTovember 19, 1863 ; wounded at Cold Harbor, Virginia, 
June 3, 1864, and again at Adams Run April, 1865; dis- 
charged with company ; record, fine. 

John Pittman — Enlisted as a substitute at Chambersburg, place 
of rendezvous for Sixteenth District; age 18 ; mustered August 
28, 1863; joined Company G October 30, 1863; his home 
was Mercersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania ; he was a 
very enthusiastic and efficient soldier; discharged with tlie 
company. 

William Pittman— Drafted August 28, 1863 ; age 21 ; Chambers- 
burg, the point of rendezvous for Sixteenth District; joined 
Company G October 30, 1863; woimded (permanent in- 
jury) May 10, 1864, at Po River, Virginia ; was just as good 
a soldier as his brother John. 



1 002 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

Samuel J. Eager — Enlisted by Captain Patterson at Bellefonte 
February 10, 186-i; mustered February 25, 1864; wounded 
June ITtli near Petersburg, Virginia, and again October 26, 
1864, and captured by the enemy; died in prison; a young 
man, esteemed by all ; a brave and earnest soldier. 

James C. Sellers — Enlisted by Captain Patterson at Boalsburg 
February 22, 1864; mustered February 26, 1864; discharged 
with the company after more than a year of service; present 
address Sawpit, Colorado. 

IJJAS Shoemaker — Drafted September 1, 1863, Sixteenth District, 
Chambersburg ; joined Company Gr November 19, 1863; 
wounded and captured at Spotsylvania Court House, Vir- 
ginia, May 12, 1864; died of his wounds in prison August 
15, 1864; a brave soldier. 

James Starliper — Drafted August 28, 1863, Sixteenth District, 
Chambersburg; age 24; residence Mercersburg, Franklin 
County, October 30, 1863; a first-class soldier; discharged 
with the company. 

William V. Starliper — Drafted August 28, 1863, Sixteenth Di?- 
trict, Chambersburg; age 26; mustered same day; joined 
company October 30, 1863; residence Mercersburg; captured 
June 22, 1864, near Petersburg; held by enemy until end of 
War; discharged with company; he did his duty well. 

John Weyand — Drafted as above; not a very able man ; he did what 
duty he could ; transferred to the invalid corps April 15, 1864. 

George Wasson — Enlisted at same time and place ; mustered Feb- 
ruary 26, 1864; served in most creditable manner to end of 
War; discharged with the company. 

IIknhy H. Yarnell — Enlisted and mustered with the above; he was 
a very excellent soldier ; mustered out with company ; living 
at Connellsville, Pennsylvania. 

John T. Young — Same as above; he did his duty acceptably and 
was discharged with the company ; buried at Altoona, Penn- 
sylvania. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1003 

l^OSTEK. OF COMPANY H, U8TH PENNSYLVANIA VOL- 
UNTEERS. 

Lieut. Col. Geoege A. Fairlamb — Mustered August 22, 1862, as 
Captain of Company li ; promoted to Major September 7, 
1862 ; wounded at Cliancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863 ; 
promoted to Lieutenant Colonel November 15, 1863; 
wounded at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 
1861, tlirougli the right elbow joint and left shoulder and 
captured, remaining a prisoner from May 12, 1864, to Sep- 
tember 22, 1861; discharged on a surgeon's certificate of dis- 
ability February 24, 1865 ; living at Bellefonte, Pennsyl- 
vania, at Bush House. 

Lieut. Col. George A. Bayard — Mustered August 22, 1862, as 
First Lieutenant Company H ; promoted to Captain Sep- 
tember Y, 1862; wounded in the face by a minie ball at 
Cliancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863 ; captured at Straw- 
berry Plains, Virginia, June 22, 1864; promoted to Major 
May 17, 1865 ; commissioned Lieutenant Colonel June 1, 
1865; mustered out with Regiment June 1, 1865; died at 
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1903, aged 76 years. 

Capt. H. H. Montgomery — Mustered August 16, 1862, as pri- 
vate; promoted to Sergeant September 7, 1862; promoted 
to Second Lieutenant October 30, 1863; to First Lieutenant 
July 31, 1864; to Captain May 6, 1865; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865 ; living at No. 118 High Street, 
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. 

First Lieut. James B. Cook — ^First enlisted at Rockford, Illi- 
nois, in Co. Illinois Volunteers, commanded by Col. 

W. H. L Wallace ; was discliarged on surgeon's certificate of 
disability resulting from typhoid fever contracted at Bii'd:^ 
Point near Cairo ; returned to liis home at Bellefonte, Pennsyl ■ 
vania; enlisted in Company H, 148th Regiment Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers; was mustered August 16, 1862, as third 
Sergeant; promoted to First Sergeant September 7, 1862; 
to First Lieutenant Noveml>er 15, 1863 ; wounded at the bat- 
tle of Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1863, by minie ball in 
right leg; had his leg amputated at the Sixth Corps field 
hospital; died at Armory Square Hospital, Washington, D. 
C, June 1, 1864; buried at Bellefonte, Centre county, Penn- 
sylvania. 

First. Lieut. John L Johnston— Mustered as First Sergeant 
August 22, 1862 ; promoted to First Lieuteiuint SeptemWr 



1004 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

1, 18(i2 ; wounded at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 
1863; pro'inoited to Captain of Company A JSTovember 15, 
1863; womided at Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 3, 1863; 
discharged June 1, 1865; entered EegTilar Army at close of 
War; retired; living in Philiadelpbia. 

Second Lieut. Alexander Gibb — Mustered Aug-ust 16, 1862, as 
Fiftli Sergeant; promoted to First Sergeant Xovember 15, 
1863; to Second Lieutenant September S, 1864; in charge 
of detail from Company II, with Capt. Jeremiaii Z. BroA^m, 
in capture of Confederate fort October 27, 1864; promoted 
to First Lieutenant May 6, 1864; mustered out with com- 
pany June 1, 1865; died in ISTew York City; buried near 
ISTew York. 

Chaplain William H. Stevens — MusteTed August 22, 1862, as 
Second Lieutenant; promoted to Chaplain September 4, 
1862; mustered out with Regiment June 1, 1865; died at 
Shelby, Iowa, June 10, 1901; buried at Three Springs, 
Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania ; see Chaplains Stor\'. 

Second Lieut, John A. Bayard — Lieutenant in Second Pennsyl- 
vania Eegiment War with Mexico ; entered 1st Cavalry as 
Sergeant August 12, 1861; promoted to First Lieutenant 
Company E; resigned February 26, 1862; mustered August 
16, 1862; promoted from Second Sergeant of Company H, 
to Second Lieutenant September 2, 1862 ; wounded at Chan- 
cellorsville, Virginia, in the side May 3, 1863; wounded 
through the thigh July 2, 1863, at Gettv'sburg, Pennsylvania ; 
died of his wounds July 3, 1863 ; buried at Bellefonte, Penn- 
sylvania. 

)b'ECo>i) Lieut. John A. J. Fugate — Mustered August 16, 1862; 
promoted to Corporal November 17, 1862 ; to Sergeant Jan- 
uary 1, 1863; to First Sergeant September 8, 1864; com- 
missioned Second Lieutenant June 1, 1865; mustered out 
with company June 1, 1865 ; died at Reynoldsville, Jeffer- 
son County, Pennsylvania, 1900; buried at Reynoldsville, 
Pennsylvania. 

Sergt. Darius L. Sanders — Mustered August 16, 1862 ; promoted 
Corporal Januars' 5, 1863; to Sergeant November 15, 1863; 
wounded at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; discharged 
by General Order May 22, 1865; living at Renova, Clinton 
Coun ty , Pennsy 1 V an i a . 

Sergt. Daniel H. Bumoakdxer — ;Mustered August 16. 1862; piv)- 
moted Corporal Seiiteniber 1, 1863; to Sergeant December 
1, 1864; mustered out with company June 1, 1865; livme 
at Brookville, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. 



^x 



THE i48rH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1005 

Sergt. Samuel B. Wyland— Mustered August IC, 1802 ; promoted 
to Corporal Deeeuiber 1, 1864; to Sergeant January 1, 
1865; mustered out witli company June 1, 1865; died at 
Bellefonte, Centre County, Pennsylvania, and ])uried in 
cemetery there. 

Sergt. John Freeze— Mustered August 16, 1802; promoted Cor- 
poral E"ovember 1, 1804; to Sergeant January 1, 1805; 
wounded in right hij) at Petersburg, Virginia, April 2, 
1865; disclmrged by General Order July 27, 1865; living 
in Boogs Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania. 

Sergt. Samuee McKinley — Mustered August 16, 1862; promoted 
to Sergeant September 8, 1862; killed at Gettysburg, Penn- 
sylvania, July 2, 1803; buried at Gettyslmrg among the 
imkno^vn dead. 

Sergt. William Ward — Mustered August 10, 1802; promoted to 
Sergeant September 1, 1803; captured at Petersburg, Vir- 
ginia, June 18, 1804; died at Milieu, Georgia, December 1, 
1864; buried at Mi lien ; grave unknown; he saved his flag 
at Petersburg, June 17, 1864, by burying it in the 'sand and 
suffering himself to be taken prisoner. 

Sergt. Herman K. Miller — 'Mustered August 16, 1862; pro- 
moted to Corporal January 1, 1863 ; to Sergeant November 
15, 1863; captured at Petersburg, Virginia, June 17, 1864; 
prisoner from June 17, 1864, to April 28, 1865 ; discharged 
July 11th to date May 24, 1865 ; living at N'o. 308 E. High 
Street, Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. 

Sergt. Thomas Jordon — Mustered October 10, 1862; promoted 
Corporal March 5, 1863; to Sergeant December 1, 1864; 
captured at Petersburg, Virginia, June 17, 1864; died at 
Andersonville, Georgia, Octo'ber 24, 1864; buried at Ander- 
sonville, Georgia, Grave No. 11,430. 

Corp. Jacob Snyder — Mustered August 31, 1862, as Corporal; 
died lin Finloy Hospital, Washington, D. C, of typfhoid 
fever July 1, 1863; buried in Military Asylum Cemetery, 
Washington, D. C. 

Corp. Ephraim Klinger — Mustered August 16, 1862; promoted 
Corporal September 1, 1863; captured at Po River, Vir- 
ginia, May 10, 1864; died at Salisbury, North Carolina; 
date unknown, grave unknown. 

Corp. James Ltjdwig — Mustered August 10, 1802; promoted to 
Corporal November 18, 1803; missing in charge of one hun- 
dred men of 148th Regiment under Jeremiah Z. Brown, 
OctobeT 27, 1803, on Confederate fort; captured by them; 
probably killed. 



1006 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Coup. \Vm. Sayuek — Mustered August oO, 18(52 ; promoted to Cor- 
poral June a, 1864; captured at Strawberry Plains June 22. 
1864; in prison at Andersonville, Georgia; died at Salis- 
bury, Nortli Carolina, date unknown, grave unknown. 

CoKP. Geokge W. Farnsler — Mustered August 16, 1862; pro- 
moted to Corjx>ral January 1, 1865 ; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865; living near Port Matilda, Centre 
County, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Hardman Richards — Mustered August 16, 1862 ; promoted 
to Coi-poral January 1, 1865 ; mustered out witli company 
June 1, 1865 ; living at Dubois, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Hubert Blackburne — Mustered August 16, 1862 ; wounded 
at Six)tsylvania J\lay 12, 1864, in the left thigh; promoted 
to Corporal May 20, 1865 ; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865; died since the War. 

Corp. Washington G. Brady — Mustered August 16, 1862 ; promoted 
to Corporal May 20, 1863; mustered out with company June 
1, 1865; died at Fallen Timber, Cambria County, Pennsyl- 
vania; buried there. 

Corp. John D. Wagner — Musteired August 16, 1862; promoted to 
Corporal November 18, 1863; wounded at Po River, Vir 
ginia, May 10, 1864; discharged May 15, 1865, for wound>^, 
received at Po River ; died at Martha, Centre County, Penn- 
sylvania; buried at Williams Cemetery. 

Corp. W. W. Montgomery — Mustered August 16, 1862, as Cor- 
poral; discharged Febniary 28, 1863, on surgeon's certifi- 
oata of disability ; died near Howard, Centre County, Penn- 
sylvania; buried there. 

Corp. Richard Miles — Mustered August 16, 1862, as Corporal; 
wounded ati Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863, by gim 
shot wound through upper part of right arm, necessitating 
lamputation at the shoulder joint; discharged July 13, 186:V; 
died at Ilarrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1902. 

Corp. George II. Neiman — Mustered August 16, 1862; promoted 
'to Corporal J^anuary 1, 1863; woumlcid thi-ough the hand 
Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863 ; transferred to Vet- 
eran Reserve Corps Jiaiiuary 15, 1864; discharged by Gen- 
eral Order July 5, 1865 ; living at Fleming, Centre County, 
Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Peter Frantz — Mustered August 16, 1862; wounded at 
Chanceilloi-sville, Virginia, May 3, 1863, in shoulder; pro- 
moted to Corporal September 9, 1863 ; wounde<l through 
right wrist at Petersburg; died from wounds at Philadel- 



\ 

THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIA VOLUNTEERS 1007 

phia, Pennsylvania ; buriod at Port Matilda, Centre County, 
Pennsylvania. 
Corp, Wm. McDonald — Mustered August 16, 1862; promoted to 
Corporal jSTovember 15, 1863; wounded at Po River, Vir- 
ginia, May 10, 1864; died at Wasliington, D. C, June 20. 
1864, from wounds received at Po River; buried near Wasli- 
ington. 

Corp. Syi.vester Sanders — Mustered August 16, 1862; promoted 
to Corporal September 1, 1863; captured June 22, ISdl, at 
Strawberry Plains, Virginia ; prisoner from June 22, 1864, 
to 1864; died at Camp Pai-ole, Annapolis, ' M. 1).; buried at 
Annapolis. 

Corp. Sylvester ' Hili- — Mustered August 16, 1862; promoted 
Corporal October 1, 1863; captured at Petersburg October 
27, 1864, in charge under Jeremiah Z. Brown, on Confeder 
ate fort; dfied in prison January 1, 18(55; burial place un- 
known. 

Corp. Matthew P. Lucas — Mustered August 16, 18<i2; jjromoted 
to Corporal January 1, 1863 ; wounded through arm at 
Ohiancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; killed by Confed- 
erate soldiers after having been captured in an attempt to 
get water for liimself and George T. Jones, who was captured 
with him; buried in Wilderness Burial Grounds; grave un- 
known. 

Principal Musician Robert A. Cassidy — Mustered August 16, 
1862; promoted to Principal ^Musician September 18, 1862; 
transferred to 19th Regiment Veteran Reserve (^orps; dis- 
charged by General Order July 13, 1865; living at Canton, 
Ohio. 

Musician William Yager — Mustered August 16, 1862, as musi- 
cian; transferred to Company E, 14th Regiment Veteran 
Reserve Corps; discharged by General Order July 28, 1865; 
dead. 

PRIVATES. 

Samuel Butler— Mustered August 16, 1862; transfei-red to Vet- 
eran Reserve Corps February 15, 18(54; died at Bellefonte, 
Pennsylvania; buried in cemetery there. 

James E. Beales— Mustered August 16, 1862; wounded at Get- 
tysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863; died of his wounds 
August 8, 1863; buried in National Cemetery, Section C, 
jrrave 85. 



/ 



1 008 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

lioBEKT Cassady — Mustered August IG, ISGi; wounded at Spotsyl- 
vania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 18G4; mustered out 
with coanpany June 1, 1865; died in Missouri; buried in 
cemetery fcliei*©. 

JojiN W. Carlton — Mustered August IG. 1862; killed in action 
at Spotsylvania Court Ho'use, Virginia ; buried in Wilder- 
ness burying ground, grave unkno\vn. 

John C. Ckissman — Mustered August 16, 1862; discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate of disability April 15, 1863 ; living near 
J.<)ck Haven, Clinton County, Pennsylvania, 

Hermann H. Clapp — Mustered Augaist 16, 1862; killed at Cold 
Harbor, Virginia, June 3, 1864; grave unknown. 

W. B. CoPENHAVER — MusteTcd August 16, 1862; deserted. 

Miles Clark — Mustered August 16, 1862; deserted. 

John Dolph — Mustered August 16, 1862 ; transferred to Veteran 
Reserve Corps M,arcli 9, 1864; discharged; living at Phil- 
ipsburg, Centre County, Pennsylvania. 

Robert Elder — Mustered August 16, 1862 ; transferred to Com- 
pany Iv, 1st Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps February 14, 
1864; discharged 'by General Order July 14, 1865; living 
in California. 

Xelson Flack — Mustered August 16, 1862; on detached duty as 
toamstetr in division wagon team during period of service ; 
mustered out with company June 1, 1865; living at Belle- 
fonte. Centre County, Pennsylvania. 

Damel G. Farley — Mustered August 16, 1862; wounded June 3, 
1864, lat Cold Harbor, Virginia; mustered out with com- 
])any June 1, 1S()5; living at Houtzdale, Clearfield County,. 
Pennsylvania. 

Jacoij P'kantz — Mustered August 16, 1862; wounded at Reams 
Station, Virginia, August 25, 1864, losing the last two fin- 
gers of both hands by minie ball ; discharged on account of 
his wounds December 13, 1864; living near Port Matilda, 
Centre County, Pennsylvania. 

MioiiAKL Flinn — Mustered August 16, 1862; killed at Chanccl- 
lorsville, Virginia, May 2, 1863; buried in Wilderness bury- 
ing ground, grave unknown. 

CiiAHLEs Gaukett — MusteTed August 1(5, 1862; teamster at corp:5 
headquarters from April 30, 1S64, to June 1, 1865; mus- 
tered out with cmnpany June 1, 18G5; living at Bellefonto, 
Centre County, Pennsylvania. 

John W. Gaiiagan — Mustered August 16, 1862; wounded , at Ohan- 
eellorsville, Virii-iuia, througli tlie left arm, section of arm 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1009 

bone removed ; discharged May 30, 18G3, for liis woundg ; 
died in Xew York; buried there, 

Samuel Gunsalis— Mustered Aug-uf^t 16, 1802; killed at Spotsvl- 
vania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864; buried in 
burial ground at the Wilderness in unknown grave. 

John Green — Mustered x\ugust 16, 1862; wounded at Gettysburg 
through the body July 2, 1863; died August 2, 1863," of his 
wounds; buried in the jS^ational Cenictcry, London Park, 
Baltimiore, Mary lanil . 

Thomas Gephakt — Mustered August 16, 1862; died at Oauip Han- 
cock, Virginia, in reginiental hospital JMarch 5, 1863, of ty- 
phoid fever; buried at Zion Church Yard, Centre County, 
Pennsylvania,. 

David Goode — ^Mustered August 16, 1862 ; deserted. 

RoBEUT Hudson — Mustered August 16, 1862; detailed as division 
saddler April 30, 1864; mustered out Avith company June 
1, 1865 ; living at Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania. 

George Haines — Mustered August 16, 1862; discharged on sur- 
geon's oertifioate of disability April 15, 1863; died near 
Howard, Centre County, Pennsylvania; buried there. 

Francis J. Hunter — j\Iustered August 16, 1862; wounded at 
Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; arm amputated; 
discharged for wounds July 20, 1863 ; living near Axemann, 
Centre County, Pennsylvania. 

Reuben Hagen — Mustered August 30, 1862 ; deserted, 

Pewis W. Ingram — ^Mustered Augivst 16, 1862 ; promoted to Com- 
missary Sergeant Septemher 5, 1862; premoted to Quarter- 
master Sergeant 81st Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
June 27, 1864; mustered out with company June 1, 1865; 
living at Oregon City, Oregon. 

Edward P. Jones — Mustered August 16, 1862 ; wounded at Gettys- 
burg, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1863; mustered out- with com- 
pany June 1, 1865; living at Port Matilda, Pennsylvania. 

George T.' Jones— Mustered August 16, 1862; wounded through 
the left leg at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; 
lay for fourteen days on held of battle without attention; 
discharged for his wounds February 9, 1864; living at Phil- 
lipsburg, Centre County, Pennsylvania. 

John Johnston— Mustered August 16, 1862 ; discharged on sur 
goon's certificate of disability May 20, 1863; died at Mile§- 
burg. Centre County, Pennsylvania ; buried there. 

RoBER.T J. Keeia— Mustered .August 16, 1862; wounded at 
•Spotsvlvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864, gun 



1010 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

sliot wound tln'ougli the right elbow; disoharged ; died near 
Port Matilda; buried in Williams Cemetery, near ALartha. 
Centre County, Pennsylvania. 

Hiram Knippenburg — Mustei'ed August IG, 1862; discharged on 
surgeon's certificate of disability June 26, 1863. 

David R. Kline — Mustered Aug-ust 16, 1862; deserted. 

Osborne Lambert — Mustei-ed Augiist 16, 1862; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865 ; died at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania ; 
buried there. 

George H. Long — Mustered Augiist 16, 1862; wonndetl at Chan- 
cellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863, through the foot; dis- 
charged on surgeon's certificate of disability January 18, 
1864; living in Lewiston, Mufflin County, Pennsylvania. 

William J, Lucas — Mustered August 16, 1862; wounded at Chan- 
cellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; wounded at Spotsyl- 
vania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1861; died in Har- 
risburg, Pennsylvania. 

Michael Lebkiciieu — Mustered August 16, 1862; wounded 
through the left lower arm at Chancellorsville, \"irginia. 
May 3, 1863; arm amputiated ; discharged on account of 
wounds September 18, 1863 ; died at Bellefonte, Pennsyl- 
vania; 'buried in cemetery near Unionville, Centre County, 
Pennsylvania. 

William Ludwig — Mustered August 16, 1862; killed at Chancel- 
lorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; buried in Wilderness bui-^ 
ial ground, grave unknown. 

Thomas W. Myton — Mustered August 16, 1862; wounded at 
Ohancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863, through upper left 
'arm and lower part of nose; discharged on account of wounds 
July 21, 1863; living at 310 Penn Street, Huntingdon, 
Pennsylvania. 

Wykman S. Miller — Mustered August 16, 1862; killed at Chan- 
cellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; buried in the Wilder- 
ness burial ground, grave unknown, 

W. F. Montgomery — ^Mustered August 16, 1862; wounded and 
captured at Poams Station, Virginia, August 25, 1861; died 
in pri&on at Salisbury, Xorth Carolina, Heceniber 10, 18(il-;, 
grave unknown. 

Spencer McIntyjje — Mustered August 16, 1862; mustered out 
with company June 1, 1865; died at Philipsburg, Pennsyl- 
vania ; buried there. 

William McKinney— Mustered August 16, 1862; wounded June 
3, 1864, at Cold Harbor, Virginia ; mustered <mt with com- 
pany June 1, 1865. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIJ FOLUNTEERS 1011 

John B. Xewcomer — Mustered August IG, 1862; pi-omoted to 
company clerk September 7, 1862 ; discharged by General 
Order May 25, 1865 ; died and wias buried in Burnsido 
Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania. 

William Oliver — Mustered August 10, 1862; discharged nn sur- 
geon's certificate of disability July 6, 1863 ; died at Philips- 
burg, Pennsylvania. 

Samuel II. Orris — Clustered August 16, 1862; v^^ounded at Chan- 
cellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863, through the jaws; dis- 
charged on account of his wounds; lives at Milesburg, Centre 
County, Pennsylvania. 

Oscar L. Runk — Mustered August 16, 1862 ; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865 ; lives at Philipsburg, Centre County. 
Pennsylvania. 

Matthew M. Ross — Mustered August 16, 1862; ^^x►unded in front 
of Petersburg June 17, 1864; transferred to the Veteran Re- 
serve Corps 1864; discharged by General Order 

June 26, 1865 ; lives in Iowa. 

John K. M. Rankin — Mustered August 16, 1862; died at Alexan- 
dria, Virginia, July 1, 1863, grave 872, in National Ceme- 
tery at Alexandria, Virginia. 

Frederick Reader — Mustered Augmst 16, 1862 ; died of wounds 
received at Ohancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; was 
shot through the breast ; died at Potomac Field Hospital ; 
dreaming in his dying moments of the battle he repeated, 
''Major, we will stand up to them, won't w^e." 

Jacob Spotts — Mustered August 16, 1862; wounded at Ohancel- 
lorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; discharged by General 
Order June 1, 1865 ; died and was buried near Martha,, 
Centre County, Pennsylvania. 

David Stiner — Mustered August 16, 1862; wounded at Chancel- 
lorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1865, and at Po River, Virginia, 
May 10, 1864; mustered out with company June 1, 1865; 
living near Waddle, Centre County, Pennsylvania. 

Thomas B. Sanders— Musterred August 16, 1862; detailed as team- 
ster in division ammunition train April 30, 1864; died neur 
Howard, Centre County, Pennsylvania, in 1902. 

William H. Shultz— Mustered August 16, 1862; discharged by 
General Order May 30, 1865 ; living at ]\Iilesl>urg, Centre 
County, Pennsylvania; wounded at Gettysburg July 2, 
1863, 'Spotsylvania May 12, 1864. 

Jacob Shank— Mustered August 16, 1862 ; discharged on surgeon's 
certificate of disability, sunstruck, September 28, 1863; liv- 
ing near Mount Eagle, Centre County, Pennsylvania. 



1012 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Amos SwEETWooD — Miistered August 10, 1862; died near Fal- 
mouth, Virginia, April 1, 1863, of typhoid fever; buried at 
■Spenee Town, Centre County, Pennsylvania. 

Isaac Sweet wood — Mustered August 16, 1862; wounded at Get- 
tysburg July 2, 1863 ; killed at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 
1864; buried at Wilderness burial grounds, grave unknown. 

James Stewart — Mustered August 16, 1862; killed at Gettysburg, 
Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863; buried in cemetery at Gettys- 
burg. 

James M. Test— Mustered August 16, 1862; killed -at Chancellors- 
ville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; was the first man killed in 
Company H, had his head shot off by a solid shot as the liegi- 
ment formed in line for the advance into the woods ; buried 
in the Wilderness burial ground, grave unknown. 

John G. Uzzle — Mustered August 16, 1862; discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate of disability September 8, 1863 ; living at 
Snow Shoe, Centre County, Pennsylvania. 

Samuel Ulrich — Mustered August 16, 1862; deserted. 

Phillip Walker — Mustered August 16, 1862; discharged by Ge- - 
eral Order June 19, 1865 ; living at Moshannon, Centre 
County, Pennsylvania, 

Charles O. Whippo — Mustered August 16, 1862; wounded v^ 
Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863 ; discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate of disability March 9, 1864; died; buried 
at Port Matilda, Centre County, Pennsylvania. 

Daniel W. Woodring — Mustered August 16, 1862 ; wounded at 
Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863, in the left arm, in 
the abdomen, the right leg and left shoulder; was carried to 
the Twelfth Corps Field Hospital and left on the ground 
without any one to care for him, in trying to crawl off the 
field fell into a hole in the woods from whidi he could not 
extricate himself. The 124tli Pennsylvania going into line 
near where he lay he was by order of Colonel Hawley of that 
regiment carried to the road and put into an ambulance in 
which ho was hauled to Potomac Creek where he was placed 
alone in a large hospital, left alone and remained uncarod 
for until May lOtli, when his wounds were for the first time 
dressed and his left arm am]mtatc<l; living at Bellefonte, 
Pennsylvania. 

Ulysses Wants— Mustered August 16, 1862; killed at the battle 
of Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; buried in Wil- 
derness burial ground, Virginia, grave unknown. 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1013 

Harrison Yeager— Mustered August 16, 1862 ; killed at the battle 
of Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; buried in Wil- 
derness burial ground, grave unknown. 

Adonikam J. YoTHERS — Mustered August 16, 186l'; wounded at 
the battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863, 
through left arm necessitating amputation of left arm; died 
June 9, 1863, of wounds received at Chancellorsville. 

Benjamin Zimmekman — Mustered August 16, 1862 ; wounded in 
the hand at the battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 
1863 ; transferred to the Veteran Resei-ve Corps June 27, 
1865; discharged by Greneral Order June 27, 1865; died: 
buried near Pine Glen, Centre County, Pennsylvania. 

ROLE OF RECRUITS AND DRAFTED MEN AND SUBSTITUTES WHO JOINED 
THE COMPANY AFTER THE ORGANIZATION OF THE REGIMENT. 

Corp. John A. Fleck — Drafted; mustered October 2U, 1863; pro- 
moted to Corporal January 1, 1865 ; transferred to Campany 
G, 53d Regimeait Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

Uriah K. Brown — Substitute; nuistered October 23, 1863, at Hun- 
tingdon, Pennsylvania ; received into the company October 
30, 1861- ; wounded at Spotsylvania Court House May 12, 
1861; transferred to Company G, 53d Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers June 1, 1865 ; living at Johnstown, Pennsylvania. 

Jacob Bracken — Drafted ; mustered June 1, 1863, at Huntingdon, 
Pennsylvania; received into C Company October 30, 1863; 
^vounded at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864, by giin shot 
wound through chin ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps 
December 13, 1864; living at Johnstown, Pennsylvania. 

John F. Boring — Drafted; mustered June 1, 1863, at Huntingdon, 
Pennsylvania; killed at Petersburg, Virginia, June 18, 
1864; buried at National Cemetery at City Point, section E, 
row 2, grave 175. 

George W. Constable — Drafted; mustered October 24, 1863, at 
Huntingx:lon, Pennsylvania; received into company October 
30, 1863; transferred to Company G, 53d Regiment Penn- 
sylvania Volunteere June 1, 186?); living at Johnstown, 
Pennsylvania. 

WiLLiA^r M. Campbell — Draf te<l ; mustered October 24, 1863! 
wounded at Spotsylvania, Virginia, May 12, 1864; trans- 
ferred to Company G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania, Volun- 
teers June 1, 1865; wounded at Cold Harbor June 3, 1864: 
living. 



1014 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Robert Custard — Drafted; mustered Ootober 24, 1863; wounded 
at Spotsylvania, Virginia, May 12, 1864; wounded at 
Gravelly Ivun llarcli 31, 1865; transferred to Co. G, 53d 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

William li. Close — Drafted; mustered I'ebruary 23, 1864; 
wounded at Spotsylvania Court House, May 12, 1864, 
through the jaws; transferred to Company G, 53d Regimeiy, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865 ; discharged by Gen- 
eral Order of June 8, 1865 ; living at Oak Hall, Centre 
County, Pennsylvania. 

John G. Deihl — Drafted; mustered October 22, 1863, at Sun- 
bury, Pennsylvania; received into company October 30. 
1863; wounded at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, M.iy 
12, 1864; transferred to Company G, 53d Regiment Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers June 1, 1865; discharged by General 
Order. 

IsKAEL Deisiier — ^Substitute ; mustered at Sunbury, Pennsylvania, 
October 22, 1863 ; received into company October 30, 1863 ; 
missing in action Spotsylvania May 12, 1863, probablv 
killed. 

John T. Funk — Recruit; mustered February 2, 1864; taken pris- 
oner at Petersburg, June 1, 1864; died in prison at Salis- 
bury, North Carolina, date unknown ; buried there, grave 
unknown. 

Sa:muei- M. Funk — Recruit; mu'Stered February 2, 1864; trans- 
ferred to Company G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, June 1, 1865. 

Robekt Fulton — Recruit; mustered February 2, 1864; wounded 
August 16, 1864, at Deep Bottom, Virginia, tliix)ugh the 
right arm, off ; lives in Huntington, Indiana. 

Dennis Hudsell— Drafted ; mustered August 31, 1863; missing in 
action at Strawberry Plains, Virginia, June 22, 1864; 
prisoner; transferred to Comany G, 53d Regiment Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

Tillman Jarvett — ^Substitute; mustered October 21, 1863; re- 
ceived into company October 30, 1863 ; transferred to Com- 
pany G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865; lives in Turbotsville, Northumberland County, Penn- 
sylvania. 

Henry Johnston— Substitute; mustered Ootober 24, 1863, at 
Huntingdon, Peimsvlvania ; received into company October 
30, 1863; wounded "at Po River May 10, 1864; transferred 
to Company G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 
1, 1865. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1015 

David B. Jones — Drafted; mustei-ed Juiie 27, 1863, at Hunting- 
don, Pennsylvania; received into conipanj October 31, 
18G3; died at Alexandria, Virginia, March 30, 1804; buried 
in National Cemeitery, grave 194. 

William H. Kellerman — Keeruit; mustered February 20, 1864; 
Avo'unded at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 18G4, in charge on 
Confederate fort October 27, 1864; lay between the lines 
Avithout food or water for eight days, ratlier than be cap- 
tured; died at Milesburg, Pennsylvania, buried there. 

C. KNucKBKACKEis- — Drafted; mustered August 19, 1863, captured 
at Strawberry Plains, Virginia, June 22, 1864; died at 
Petersburg, Virginia, Septeinber 16, 1864; buried at Peters- 
burg. 

Ikwin Lowkey — Drafted; mustered October 29, 1863; wounded at 
Po River May 10, 1864 ; missing in action October 27, 1863 ; 
transferred to Company G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- 
unteers June 1, 1865 ; in Brown's charge. 

Joseph I.app: — Drafted; mustered November 1, 1863; received into 
company May 10, 1864; wounded at Po River, Virginia, 
May 10, 1864; transfei-red to Company G, 53d Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

Stephen L. Lanks — Drafted; mustered August 19, 1863; died 
January 9, 1864. 

John W. Mooke — Drafted; mustered August 29, 186:5, at Hunting- 
don, Pennsylvania; received into company Octo'ber 30, 1863; 
wounded at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; transferred 
to Company G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 
1, 1865; discharged by General Order July 20, 1865. 

HiKAM G. Moore— Dtaf ted ; mustered August 13, 1863, at Hun- 
tingdon, Pennsylvania ; received into company October 31, 
1863; wounded at Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 3, 1864, 
lower left arm .amputated ; discharged. 

William H. Mertz— Drafted ; mustered October 23, 1863, at 
SunbuiT, Pennsylvania ; received into company October 30, 
1863; was one of the detail for charge W 100 men of tihe . 
148th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers under Maj. Jere- 
miah Z. Brown on Confederate fort, near the Jerusalem 
plank road ; missing after thot charge; supiwsed to have l>een 
killed. 

Samuel W. Mover— Drafted ; mustered October 21, 1863, at Sun- 
bury, Pennsvlvania ; received into company October 31, 
1863 ; vT)unded at the battle of Po River, Virginia, May 10. 
1864- transferred to Company G, 53d Regiment Pennsyl- 



1016 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

vania Volunteers June 1, 1865 ; discliarged by General 
Order July 20, 1865. 

John W. Miller — Drafted; mustered February 25, 1861; missii;g 
after the battle of Spotsylvania Court House May 12, 1864; 
probably killed in tbab battle. 

William H. Makin — Drafted; mustered June 1, 1863, at Hunting- 
don, Pennsylvania; received into company October 31, 1863; 
wounded May 29, 1864, at Four Mile Run neeessitating 
amputation of leg; died July 6, 1864, of wounds; buried in 
jS^iational Cemetery at Arlington, Virginia. 

Adam Makin — ^Substitute; mustered October 24, 1863, at Hunting- 
'don, Pennsylvania; received into company October 30, 1803^: 
died March 28, 1864, in division hospital. 

Abraham Miller — Substitute; mustered October 21, 1863, at Sun- 
bury, Pennsylvania ; received into company October 30, 
186''3; died March 28, 1864, in Harwood Hjospital, Wash- 
ington, D. C. ; buried in Military Asylum Cemetery, Wash- 
ington, D. C. 

AxDREw J. McClellek — Drafted; mustered August 31, 1863, at 
York, Pennsylvania; received into company October 30, 
1863; transfeiTed to Company G, 53d Regiment Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers June 1, 1865 ; discharged by General Order 
July 20, 1865. 

He.\ry Phillips— Drafted; mustered June 1, 1863, at Harrisburg, 
Pennsylvania; received into company October 30, 1863; 
wounded at Deep Bottom, Virginia, August 16, 1864; trans- 
ferred to Company G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers Juno 1, 1865; discharged by General Order July 20, 
1865. 

William Pearson — Drafted; mustered June 1, 1863, at Hunting- 
don, Pennsylvania; received into company October 30, 1863; 
wounded at Petersburg, Virginia, June 17, 1864; died of his 
wounds Novem'ber 20, 1864; buried in National Ceinetcr.v 
at City Point, Virginia. 

George W. Ruggles— Drafted ; mustei-ed August 10, 1863; re- 
ceived into company October 30, 1863; transferred to Com- 
pany G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers^ June 1. 
1865; discharged by General Order July 20, 1865. 

John S heeler— Substitute; musteml June 1, 1863, at Huntina'- 
don, Pennsylvania; received into company Octol)er 30, 18»).' 
discharged by General Order May 13, 1865. 

Frederick Shaffer— Substitute ; mustered October 19, 1863; re- 
ceived intocompanv October 30, 1863; wounded at the bat- 
tle of Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1861 ; .lied of his wound-. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 10 U 

Jacob Stuktz— Drafted ; nmstered August 31, 1803, at ChaiiilxM-s- 
burg, Pennsylvania; received into company Octol>er 31, 
1803; missir.g after the battle of Keanis Station, N'irginia, 
August 25, 18(54; probably killed in that battle. 

jERiaiTAH St()Nei!1{akkr — Rccruit; mustered February 10, 1804, 
at Williamsport, rennsylvania; wounded at the battle of 
Gravel Run, Virginia, March 31, 1865 ; transferred to Com- 
pany G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers dune 1, 
1865; discharged by General Order July 20, 1805; died and 
buried at Bald Eagle Furnace, G'livia, Pennsylvania. 

Alfred SMiTii—Reciiiit ; mustered February 10, 1804; transferred 
to Company G, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 
1, 1805 ; wounded at Cold Harbor and in front of Petei^s- 
burg, Virginia, June 17, 1804; discharged by General Order 
July 20, 1865 ; living at Milesburg, Centre County, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Jamp:s a. Steese — Recruit; mustered February 10, 1804, at ILar- 
risburg, Pennsylvania; wounded at die battle of Spotsyl- 
vania Court House, Virginia, !May 12, 1804; transferred to 
Company G, 53d Riegiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 
1, 1865; discharged by General Order July 20, 1805; re- 
siding at Lake City, Minn. 

N'ai.entine Stonebraker — Recruit; mustered February 10, lrt04, 
at Williamsport, Pennsylvania ; wounded at the battle of Po 
River, Virginia, May 10, 1804; disoharged by General Order 
May 10, 1805 ; died near Olivia, I^)lair County, Pennsyl- 
vania ; buried tbere. 

CiiKTSTiAN Stuck — Drafted; mustered xVugust 31, 1803, at Chani- 
l^ersburg, Pennsylvania ; received into company October 31, 
1803 ; wounded a.t the battle of S]X)tsylvania Court House, 
Virginia, May 12, 1804; died at Camp Parole, Annaix>lis, 
Maryland, November 15, 1864; buried there. 

George A. Wilso>: — Substitute; mustered June 1, l.s<;3, at Snn- 
buiy, Pennsylvania; rcceived into the coni])any ()cti)l)er 30, 
1863; wounded at the battle of Spotsylvania Court House, 
Virginia, ^lay 12, 1804; transferred to Company G, June 1, 
1865; discharged by General Order July 20, 1805. 

John Williams — Drafted; mustei-ed June 1, 1803, at Sunbury, 
Pennsylvania; received into the company Ootolxn- 30, 1803, 
captured at Petersburg October 29, 1804, in Brown's charge; 
died at Salisbury, North Carolina, February 15, 1805; 
buried there, grave uuknuwn. 



1018 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 



ROSTEE OF 1 COMPAjS^Y, 148X11 REGIMENT PENNSYL- 
VAXIA VOLUNTEERS. 

The ])laee of enrollment, so far as it can be ascertained, is 
given. The date of original enlistment cannot be secured, inasmuch 
a? neither muster-in nor muster-out roll is available, and the date 
following place of enrollment is, thereto i-e, the date of original mus- 
ter-in at Harrisburg and elsewhere. 

Cai't. Silas J. JMaklia' — Erookville, Pennsylvania, September 19, 
1862 ; served on statf of First Division Second Corps as Act- 
ing Assistant Adjutant General ; brevet J\Iajor December 2, 
1864; brevet Lieutenant Colonel April 2, 1865; commis- 
sioned Major June 1, 1865 ; not mustered ; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865 ; died since the War at Brookvillc, 
Pennsylvania. 

Fiu'ST LiKiT. doiiK A. McGiiKK — Prookville, Pennsylvanra, Sep- 
tember 8, 1862 ; died at Falmouth, Virginia, May 15th, of 
Avounds received at Spotsylvania Court House, ^lay 12, 18(5+. 

FiijsT Lip:ut. Junius F. Craix— Brookville, Pennsylvania, Septem- 
ber 1, 1862; promoted from First Sergeant to Second Lieu- 
tenant January 13, 18(54; to First Ivieutenant August 2, 
1864; commissioned Captain June 1, 1865; not mustered; 
mustered out wuth company eJune 1, 1865. 

Skconi) Lieut. Orlando II. Brown — Brookvillc, Pennsylvania. 
October 8, 1862; discharged November 30, 1863; died since 
the War. 

Six'oNi) Lieut. fJosKi'u E. Haul — iBrookville, Pennsylvania, Sejv- 
tember 1, 1862; promoted from Sergeant Major August 2, 
LS64, to Adjutant 183d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers 
September 7, 1864; lives Clatskanie, Oregon. 

Second Tjeut. Frank W. Clakk — Sei)tember 23, 1862; ]>romoted 

from Sergeant to First Sergeant ; First Sergeant 

to Second Lieutenant Se])tember 25, 1864; conunissioned 
First Lieutenant June 1, 1865 ; not mustered ; mustered out 
with com])any June 1, 1865; living. 

First Ser(jt. Thomas W. Doucjlass — September 1, 1862; pro- 
moted to Cor]K)ral October 7, 1862 ; to Sergeant September 
23, 1864; to First Sergeant January 1, 1865; commissioned 
Second Lientenant June 1, 1865; not mustered; mustered 
ont with <'oiii])aiiy .Inne 1, 1865. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1019 

Sekgt. IIenky Cakey — Septcinbcr 19, 18G2 ; to Cori>oral October 
18, 1862; to Sergeant January 8, 1803; prisoner from June 
4, 186-1, tx) April 1), 18()5 ; discliargod Mav 27th to date Mav 
15, 1865. 

Sergt. Siieeum Swixefoki) — September 1, 1862 ; promoted from 
Corporal January 17, 1865; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865 ; lives Brookville, Pennsylvania. 

Sergt. Benjamin F. McGifftn — September 1, 1862; promoted to 
Corporal September 25, 1861; to Sergeant January 5, 1865; 
mustered out with company June 1, 1865. 

Sergt. Joiiiae Vastbinder — Septeml^er 1, 1862; promoted to Cor- 
poral March 1, 1865; to Sergeant March 18, 1865; mus- 
tered out with company June 1, 1865; lives Brookville, 
Pennsylvania. 

Sergt. Alexander McQuiston — September 1, 1802 ; killed at 
Reams Station, Virginia, Augaist 25, 1864. 

Sergt. William Davidson — September 1, 1862; discharged on 
surgeon's certiticate March 2, 1864; died since the War. 

Sergt. Robert Kissinger — September 7, 1862 ; often used by Col- 
onel as scout; unusually cool and reliable; discharged March 
18, 1865, for wounds received in action; died since the War. 

Sergt. Edward Murphy — September 1, 1862; promoted to Second 
Lieutenant 10th Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps, March 17, 
1864; to First Lieutenant February 10, 1865; discharged 
November 15, 1867. 

Corp. Jacob B. Rumbaugii — September 7, 1862 ; promoted to Cor- 
poral April 27, 1863; prisoner from August 25, 1864, to 
March 2, 1865; discharged by General Order July 15, 1865; 
lives Chicora, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. William H. Harley — September 1, 1862 ; promoted to Cor- 
poral December 27, 1864; mustered out with company June 
1, 1865. 

Corp. John M. Davis — September 1, 1862; supix)sed to be the 
youngest man in the Regiment; promoted to Cor]X)ral Janu- 
ary 7, 1865; mustered out witli company June 1, 1865; lives 
Brookville, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Lew^is Deibler — September 1, 1862; captured; killed at 
Salisbury, North Carolina, November 26, 1864. 

Corp. Thomas McCullough — SeptembeT 1, 1862; died August 
17th of wounds received at Gettysburg July 2, 1863 ; buried 
in National Cemetery, Section A, Grave 50. 

Corp. Alexander Douglass — September 1, 1862; missing in ac- 
tion Spotsylvania Court TTouse, May 12, 1864; since dead. 



1020 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Corp. Joseph Earnest — September 19, 1862 ; missing in action at 
Reams Station, Virginia, August 25, 1864; since dead. 

Corp. Harrison Catts — September 7, 1862 ; discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate February 1, 1863; lives at Sigel, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Corp. John M. Love — ^September 1, 1862; transferred to Com- 
pany C, 22d Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps, December 
26, 1864; discharged by General Order July 3, 1865; lives 
Callensburg, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Rusling S. Adams — August 19, 1863, drafted; transferred 
to Company E, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers 
June 1, 1865. 

Corp. Russel Weeks — ^August 19, 1863; drafted; transferred to 
Company E, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 
1, 1865. 

Musician Joseph Arthurs — September 7, 1862 ; mustered out 
with company June 1, 1865 ; lives Sigel, Pennsylvania. 

PRIVATES. 

George N. Anthony — ^September 1, 1862 ; discharged on surgeon's 

certificate June 8, 1863; since dead. 
William Acker — September 9, 1862; discharged June 8, 1865, for 

wounds received in action. 

Eli Bailey — ^September 1, 1862 ; transferred to Veteran Reserve 
Corps April 14, 1864; since dead. 

John Banghart — September 3, 1862 ; discharged on surgeon's cer- 
tificate March 20, 1863 ; since dead. 

Emory J. Barr — September 19, 1862; died at Potomac Creek, Vir- 
ginia, April 16, 1863. 

Hugh A. Barr — September 1, 1862; captured; died at Salisbury, 
North Carolina, November 26, 1864. 

William H. Barr — September 7, 1862 ; died at Washington, D. 
C, June 15, 1863; buried in Military Asylum Cemetery. 

Jonathan L. Bitner — August 31, 1863, drafted; transferred to 
Company E, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 
1, 1865.' 

Joseph W. Bowley — April 9, 1864; wounded; transferred to Com- 
pany E, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 
1865. 

William C. Boyd — September 1, 1862; died at Falmouth, Vir- 
ginia, June 7, 1863. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANL4 VOLUNTEERS 1021 

Philip Boyer — September 1, 1802; wounded at Gettysburg, Penn- 
sylvania, July 2, 18G3 ; transferred to Veteran Reserve 
Corps March ';3, 1864. 

John S. Buzzard — September 7, 1862; wounded at Gettysburg, 
Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863; transferred to Company H, 
18th Regiment Veteran Reserve Corjis ; discharged by Gen- 
eral Order June 24, 1865 ; since dead. 

Andrew^ J. Clark — Augiist 1!>, 1863; drafted; deserted June 8, 
1864. 

Lewis Cobbs — 'September 19, 1862 ; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865 ; lives Brookville, Pennsylvania. 

JajMKs Cochran — ^Scptember 1, 1862 ; prisoner from August 25, 
1864, to March 13, 1865 ; discharged by General Order June 
12, 1865; since dead. 

Wallace Coon — ^September 1, 1862; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865 ; lives Sigel, Pennsylvania. 

Isaac Corey — September 1, 1862; deserted April 28, 1863. 

Andrew^ Craft — September 1, 1862; killed at Chancellorsville, 
Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

Piiiijp S. Crate — September 1, 1862; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865 ; since dead. 

Harvey Crispin — Sept'ember 1, 1862; died at Wasliington, D. C. 
June 15, 1864, of wounds received in action ; buried National 
Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. 

JosiAH T. Crouch — August 2, 1862; transferred to Company F, 
21st Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps; discharged by Gen- 
eral Order August 29, 1865. 

TsAiAH S. Davis — September 1, 1862; transferred to Veteran Re- 
serve Corps July 1, 1864; discharged by General Order 
June 29, 1865; lives Brookville, Pennsylvania. 

John W. Demott — September 19, 1862 ; transferred to Veteran 
Reserve Corps August 26, 1863; lives Brookville, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Alonzo Dennis — August 19, 1863, drafted; died at Washington. 
D. C, July 7, 1864; buried in National Cemetery, Arling- 
ton, Virginia. 

Darius Dickens — August 19, 1863, drafted; deserted June 8, 186-1. 

Stephen E. Dickens — August 19, 1863, drafted; discharged Feb- 
ruary 21, 1865, for wounds received in action. 

Calvin Dixon — September 1, 1862; mustered out with comjiany 
June 1, 1865; lives Dubois, Pennsylvania. 



1022 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

John Emmett — April 28, 1864; transferred to Company B, 48th 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, date unknown, 

Daniel Ferringer — September 1, 1862 ; killed at Cold Harbor, 
Virginia, June 3, 1864. 

William M. Firman — August 19, 1863, drafted; transferred to 
Veteran Keserve Corps; discharged by General Order Aug- 
ust 24, 1865. 

Alonzo Fowler — September 1, 1862 ; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865. 

James J. Galey — September 1, 1862; died at Annapolis, Mary- 
land, October 23, 1864. 

James Garbon — April 9, 1864; missing in action at Spotsylvania 
Court House May 12, 1864; since dead. 

Christ C. Geariiart — September 19, 1862 ; discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate March 10, 1863; lives Troutville, Penn- 
sylvania, 

Frederick Gillhousen — September 1, 1862; died July 17th of 
wounds received at Gettysburg July 2, 1863. 

IsRAEi- J. Grenoble — September 19, 1862 ; wounded Po River, 
\'irginia, with loss of leg, jMay 10, lfsG4; absent in hus[)ital 
at muster-out ; lives Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 

Samuel K. Groh — January 7, 1864; transferred to Company E, 
53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865. 

Orin Guile — August 19, 1863, drafted ; missing in action at Spot- 
sylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864; since dead. 

Andrew J. Hagerty — September 7, 1862; killed at Gettysburg 
July 2, 1863. 

Andrew Harp — September 1, 1862; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865 ; since dead, 

Augustus Haugh — September 19, 1862 ; died at Falmouth, Vir- 
ginia, February 19, 1863. 

Jacob S. Haugh — September 1, 1862; mustered out with cinnpan'v 
June 1, 1865 ; lives Brookville, Pennsylvania. 

David M. Hillis — September 1, 1862; discharged on surgeon's cer- 
tificate September 17, 1863; since dead. 

George Hornek — Se]>tember 1, 1862; discharged ou surgeon's cer- 
tificate June 15, 1863 ; since dead. 

John Howard — September 1, 1862; transferred to 71st Company 
2d Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps, June 16, 1864; dis- 
charged by General Order August 14, 1865. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIA VOLUNTEERS 1023 

Samuel Howard — September 1, 1862 ; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865. 

Benjamin F. Hull — September 1, 1862 ; discharged on surgeon's 
certificate March 12, 1863 ; since dead. 

Lawson a. Jearls — August 19, 1863, drafted; killed at Po River, 
Virginia, May 10, 1864. 

Manasses Kerr — ^Septenib^r 19, 1862; deserted April 23, 1863; 
since dead. 

James Labar — August 18, 1863, drafted; transferred to Company 
E, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers ; discharged by. 
General Order July 17, 1865. 

Harrison Long — September 7, 1862 ; died August I7tli of wounds 
received at Gettysburg July 2, 1863 ; buried in National 
Cemetery, Section A, Grave 56. 

Peter P. Love — April 19, 1864; transferred to Company E, 53d 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865; since dead. 

Reuben Lyle — September 19, 1862; wounded Chancellorsville, Vir- 
ginia, May 3, 1863; transferred to Company G, 18th Regi- 
ment, Veteran Reserve Corps; discharged by General Order- 
June 29, 1865; lives Brookville, Pennsylvania. 

Henry Mapes — September 1, 1862; discharged on surgeon's cer- 
tificate March 12, 1863; since dead. 

Lyman E. Mapes — September 19, 1862 ; mustered out with com- 
pany June 1, 1865 ; lives Howe, Pennsylvania. 

David Mattson — August 18, 1863, drafted; captured; died Peters- 
burg, Virginia, June 30, 1864. 

Frederick Miller — Substitute; October 29, 1863; transferred to 
Company E, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 
1, 1865.' 

William F. Miller— Drafted ; August 31, 1863; transferred t.i 
Company E, 53d l^egiment Penns^ylvania Volunteer;^, June 
1, 1865.' 

Harrison Moore — September 19, 1862; transferred t(i 131st Com- 
pany, 2d Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps, February 11, 
1864; discharged on surgeon's certificate April 12, 1865; 
since dead. 

Jackson Moore— Septendier 19, 1862; died at Philadelphia, Penn- 
sylvania, August 6, 1865. 

Thompson Mooriiead — Septeml^er 1, 1862; died September 17. 
1864 of wounds received at Petersburg, Virginia. 



1024 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Stewart II. Montier — September 1, 1862; captured Reams Sta- 
tion, Virg-iiiia, August 25, 1864; died at Florence, South 
Caroliua, January 13, 1865, or Salisbury, I^orth Carolina 
January 15, 1865. 

Benjamin F. Mulford — August 19, 1863, drafted; transferred to 
Company II, 24th Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps April 
14, 1864; discharged by General Order August 30, 1865. 

James A. jMurphy — April 9, 1864; transferred to Company E, 53d 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865. 

James McManagle — September 1, 1862; wounded in action; trans- 
ferred to Veteran Reserve Corps July 1, 1864; discharged 
by General Order June 29, 1865 ; since dead. 

^losES W, Newton — August 18, 1863, drafted; died Washington, 
D. (\, ^lay 27, 1864, of wounds received at Po River, Vir- 
ginia, May 10, 1864; burial record, died at Alexandria, Vir- 
ginia, May 28, 1864; Grave 1947. 

Peter Xttlph — September 1, 1862; died May 16, 1864, of wounds 
received at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; burial rec- 
ord died May 26, 1864; buried National Cemetery, Arling- 
ton. 

Nelson P. O'Conner — September 1, 1862; mustered out witii 
company June 1, 1865; lives Hazen, Pennsylvania. 

WiixiAM O'Conner — March 21, 1864; transferred to Company E, 
53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865; since 
dead. 

Robert Oursler — September 19, 1862; discharged by General 
Order June 27, 1865 ; since dead. 

WiLi>iAM J. Obr — September 1, 1862; died at Cockeysville, Mary- 
land, October 26, 1862. 

Edward Plyler— September 1, 1862 ; discharged October 23, 1863, 
for wounds received in action ; since dead. 

Ben.jamin Potter — August 19, 1863, drafted; captured; died An- 
dersonville, Georgia, January 18, 1865 ; Grave 12,479. 

Samuel Ransom — September 1, 1862; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865; lives Fisher, Pennsylvania. 

Harrison Ransom— April 9, 1864; captured; died Andersonville. 
Georgia, July 17, 1864; grave 3,468. 

James W. Rea— September 19, 1862; transferred to Signal Corps 
April 1, 1864. 

Eli Riiinehart— September 1, 1862; discharged with surgeon's 

certificate January 10, 1863. 
David D. Rffodes— September 1, 1862 ; killed at Spotsylvania Court 
House, Virginia, May 12, 1864. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1025 

Oesemus Rice — August 19, 1863, drafted; discharged on surgeon's 
certificate March 18, 1865. 

William Rogees— September 7, 1862 ; discharged on surgeon's cer 
tificate January 9, 1864; since dead. 

NoAii EuGG — August 31, 1863, drafted; transferred to Company E 
7th Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps, April 14, 1864; dis- 
charged by General Order July 22, 1865. 

Edwaed M. Sage — September 19, 1862; discharged by General 
Order June 8, 1865 ; since dead. 

Abeaiiam Sanee — August 31, 1863, drafted; discharged January 
26, 1865, for wounds received in action. 

Benjamin F. Scandeett — September 1, 1862; transferred to Vet- 
eran Reserve Corps April 14, 1864 ; transferred by General 
Order July 19, 1865; since dead. 

Petee Shannon — September 2, 1862; absent sick at muster-out; 

since dead. 
Samuel Shaw — ^September 1, 1862; killed Gettysburg July 2, 1863. 

John II. H. Shustee — ^September 1, 1862; wounded Gravelly Run 
March 30, 1865 ; discharged by General Order July 3, 1865 :. 
since dead. 

Lucius A. Simpson — Drafted; August 19, 1863; missing in action 
near Petersburg, Virginia, October 27, 1864. 

John W. Smith — September 1, 1862 ; transferred to \'eteran Re- 
serve Corps December 18, 1863; lives Knoxdalc, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Theophilus Smith — September 1, 1862 ; transferred to Veteran 
Reserve Corps Februarv 11, 1864; discharged by General 
Order July 14, 1865. ' . 

William H. H. Smith — September 7, 1862 ; wounded Cold Harbor 
June 5, 1864; absent in hospital at muster-out; lives Brook- 
ville, Pennsylvania. 

Alexandee Snydee — April 9, 1864, drafted; captured; died An- 
dersonville, Georgia, September 23, 1864 ; grave 9,567. 

Jacob Snydee — Drafted ; August 18, 1863 ; transferred to Com- 
pany E, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 
1865; lives Corsica, Pennsylvania. 

RiCHAED Sntdee— September 7, 1862 ; transferred to Veteran Re- 
serve Corps September 30, 1863. 

Sandeeson p. Stacy — August 19, 1863, substitute; promoted to 
First Lieutenant 43d Regiment, United States Colored 
Troops April 25, 1864; mustered out October 20, 1865. 



1 026 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

Lewis R. Staiilman — September 1, 1862; captured; discharged by 
General Order May 24, 1865 ; lives Brookville, Pennsylvania. 

John Staiilman — x\iigust 15, 1862 ; transferred to Company E, 
53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 1, 1865 ; since 
dead. 

Joseph Y, Thompson — March 8, 1861; missing in action at Spot- 
sylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 186-1; since dead. 

Samuel Try — September 1, 1862; discharged December 19, 1863, 
for wounds, with loss of arm, received at Gettysburg, Penn- 
sylvania, July 2, 1863 ; since dead. 

Robert M. Wadding — September 1, 1862 ; wounded Gettysburg, 
Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863 ; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865 ; lives Brookville, Pennsylvania. 

Marcus Watkins — August 19, 1863, drafted; died Washington, 
D, C, May 9, 1864; buried Military Asylum Cemetery. 

Joseph White — September 19, 1862; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865. 

William White — September 1, 1862; died Falmouth, Virginia, 
June 14, 1863. 

P. M. Whiteman — September 19, 1862; discharged by General 
Order May 15, 1865 ; since dead. 

Elijah Willoughby — Drafted; August 19, 1863; captured; died 
Andersonville, Georgia, August 4, 1864; Grave 4,702. 

Sehastian C. Wilson — Se|>tember 7, 1862; desertiMl July 31, 
1863 ; since dead. 

William P. Woods — September 7, 1862; trausferred to Veteran 
Reserve Corps A]>ril 14, 1864; since dead. 



ROSTER OF COMPANY K, 148Tn PENNSYLVANIA VOL- 
UNTEERS. 

Capt. Thompson Core — August 27, 1862, three years; died June 
1, 1864, of wounds received at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 
1864. 

Capt. Jeremiah Z. Brown — September 7, 1862, three years; pro- 
moted from First Sergeant to First Lieutenant September 8, 
1S63; to Captain July 7, 1864; brevetted Major October 27. 
1864; mustered out with company June 1, 1865; received 
Congressional medal ; present address New Bethlehem, Penn- 
sylvania, R. F. D. No. 1. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1027 

FiKST Lieut. J. B. Ferguson— September 7, 1862, three years; dis- 
charged September 8, 1863; resides Lineohi, A^ebraska. 

First Lieut. Alexander C. Sloan — September 7, 1862, three 
years ; promoted from Sergeant to First Sergeant November 
15, 1863; to Second Lieutenant July 7, 1864; to First Lieu- 
tenant September 14, 1864; mustei-ed out with company 
June 1, 1865; resides 107 Twenty-lirst Street, Porthmd, 
Oregon. 

Second Lieut. Henry 1L Dotts — ^September 26, 1862, thi*ee 
years; discharged on surgeon's certificate September 7, 1863; 
died 1900. 

Second Lieut. William S. Mortimer — September 7, 1862, three 
years; wounded at Gettysburg July 2, 1863; promoted from 
Sergeant September 8, 1863 ; wounded at Cold Harbor, Vir- 
ginia, June 3, 1864; oommissioned First Lieutenant July 7, 
1864; discharged on surgeon's certificate September 13, 
1864; resides Lamartine, Pennsylvania. 

SecOx^d Lieut. John Ward — September 7, 1862, three years; pro- 
moted from Sergeant September 14, 1864; wounded at 
Auburn Mills, October 14, 1864; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865 ; resides 5140 Butler Street, Pittsburg, Penn- 
sylvania. 

First Sergt. Henry LI. Henry' — September 7, 1862, three years; 
promoted from Corporal to Sergeant December 9, 1862 ; to 
First Sergeant October 31, 1864; mustered out wath company 
June 1, 1865 ; died February, 1902. 

Sergt. Abram S. Coursin — September 7, 1862, three years; pro- 
moted from Corporal August 1, 1864; wounded at Po River, 
Virginia, May 10, 1864; mustered out with company June 
1, 1865 ; resides Curllsville, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. 

Sergt. James F. McNoi.dy" — September 26, 1862, three years; pro- 
moted to Corporal October 27, 1863; to Sergeant August 31, 
1864; taken prisoner at Reams Station, Virginia, August 29. 
1864; absent, sick, at muster out; resides 711 Sixth Avenue, 
Altoona, Pennsylvania. 

Sergt. James F. George — September 7, 1862, three years ; pro- 
moted to Corporal November 15, 1863; to Sergeant January 
31, 1865; wounded at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; 
mustered out with company June 1, 1865 ; resides Brook- 
ville, Pennsylvania. 

Sergt. David R. Crick — Septeml)er 7, 1862, three years; promoted 
to Corporal November 15, 1863; to Sergeant May 19, 1865; 
mustered out with company June 1, 1865 ; resides Bennett, 
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. 



1028 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Sergt. James F. Weidner — September 26, 1862, three ye.ajs ; pro- 
moted to Corporal November 15, 1863; to Sergeant October 
31, 1864 ; transferred to Veteran Keserve Corps January 30, 
1865; discharged by General Order June 29, 1865; resides 
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. 

Sergt. Isaac N. Sloan — September 7, 1862, three years; promoted 
Corporal December 9, 1862 ; to Sergeant September 15, 
1861; to Sergeant Major May 18, 1865 ; wounded and taken 
prisoner at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 
1864; died in 1902. 

Sergt. Jacob F. Mast — September 7, 1862, three years; promoted 
from Corporal November 15, 1863; killed at Po Eiver, Vir- 
ginia, May 10, 1864. 

Sergt. William C. Sloan — October 2, 1862, three years; pro- 
moted from Corporal November 15, 1863; killed at Spotsyl- 
vania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864; buried in Wil- 
derness burial ground. 

Corp. John Fackender — ^September 7, 1862, three years; proinoted 
to Corporal August 4, 1864; taken prisoner near Fort Mor- 
ton, Virginia, October 27, 1864; absent at Camp Parole, 
Annapolis, Maryland, at muster out; resides at Clarion, 
Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Daniel M. Hersh — September 26^ 1862, three years; pro- 
moted to Corporal August 1, 186-t ; discharged by General 
Order May 15, 1865; resides 421 South Nineteenth Street, 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Corp. George G. Walters — September 7, 1862, three years; pro- 
moted to Corporal August 15, 1864; wounded at Reams Sta- 
tion, Virginia, August 25, 1864; mustered out with company 
June 1, 1865 ; resides 266 Park Avenue, Pittsburg, Penn- 
sylvania. 

Corp. William Bartlett — September 7, 1862, three years; pro- 
moted to Corporal October 31, 1864; mustered out with com- 
pany June 1, 1865 ; resides Brinkerton, Clarion County, 
Pennsylvania. 

Corp. Samuel H. Sloan — September 7, 1862, three years; pro 
moted to Corporal October 31, 1864 ; wounded at Po River. 
Virginia, May 10, 1864 ; mustered out with company June 
1, 1865; i-esides Ashland, Ohio. 

Corp. Henry Swartzfager — September 7, 1862, three years; pro- 
moted to Corporal January 31, 1865; wounded at Po River, 
Virginia, May 10, 1864; mustered out with company June 
1, 1865; dead. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1029 

Corp. Dennis Conner— September 7, 1862, three years; promoted 

to Corporal April 20, 1865 ; mustered out with company June 

1, 1865 5 resides Clarion, Pennsylvania. 
Corp. Anthony Divins — September 7, 1862, three years; promoted 

to Corporal May 19, 1865 ; mustered out with company June 

1, 1865 ; dead. 

Corp. Ross C. Kirkpatrick — September 7, 1862, three years; 
wounded at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 2, 1863; trans- 
ferred to Company D, 14th Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps, 
February 15, 1864; discharged by General Order June 27, 
1865; dead. 

Corp. John E. Cjlrson — September 7, 1862, three years; promoted 
to Corporal March 15, 1863; died at Point Lookout, Mary- 
land, June 18, 1863. 

Corp. Levi W. Gibson — September 7, 1862, three years ; promoted 
to Corjwral August 13, 1863; killed at Deep Bottom, Vir- 
ginia, August 15, 1864. 

Corp. Isaac F. Swartsfager — September 7, 1862, three years; 
promoted to Corporal November 15, 1863; wounded at Cold 
Harbor, Virginia, June 3, 1864; died at Washington, D. C, 
April 15, 1865, of wounds received in action. 

CoKP. High S. Xeal — September 7, 1862, three years; killed at 
Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

Musician Abraham R. Coursin — September 7, 1862, tnree years; 
mustered out with company June 1, 1865 ; resides Rivers- 
burg, Clarion County, Pennsylvania; resides at Rimei'sburg. 

Musician John A. Lee — September 7, 1862, three years; died of 
typhoid fever at Falmouth, Virginia, March 15, 1863. 

Wagoner Henry B. Fox — September 7, 1862, three years; mus- 
tered out with company June 1, 1865 ; resides Xew Bethle- 
hem, Pennsylvania. 

PRIVATES. 

Christ Armagost — February 26, 1864, three years; transferred to 
Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 
1, 1865 ; resides Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania. 

John F. Baird — September 7, 1862, three years; absent, sick, at 
muster-out;; resides Bl-inkerton Clarion County, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

John Bartley — September 7, 1862, three years; transferred to 
Veteran Reserve Corps February 15, 1864; dead. 

Jacob J. Berkley— September 1, 1863, three years; drafted; died 
at Stevensburg, Virginia, December 30, 1863. 



1030 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Philip Boarts — Septvmber 7, 1802, three years; died of fever, at 
"Wa^hiiio-ton, J). C, February 15, 1864; buried in IVIllitary 
Asylum Cemetery. 

John Botorf — October 20, 1863, three years; killed at Po River, 
Virginia, May 10, 1864. 

OwEx Cri>LExs — September 7, 1862, three years; mustered out 
with company ; resides Leatherwood, Clarion County, Penn- 
sylvania. 

John C. Clover — October 16, 1862, three years; transferred to 
Veteran Keserve Corps March 3, 1864; discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate June 1, 1864; dead. 

Hiram Carle — October 29, 1863, three years; substitute; wounded 
at Petersburg, Virginia, October 27, 1864; transferred to 
Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 
1, 1865; resides Turbotville, Pennsylvania. 

Bennival Carle — October 22, 1863, three years; killed at Po 
River, Virginia, May 10, 1864. 

Walter L. Corbett — September 7, 1862^ three years; killed at 
Deep Bottom, Virginia, August 14, 1864. 

MuNSON Corbett — September 7, 1862, three years; died at Fal- 
mouth, Virginia December 28, 1862. 

Hugh Carnathan — September 7, 1862, three years; taken pris- 
oner at Chancellorsville^ Virginia, May 3, 1863 ; deserted 
from Parole Camp, Maryland, October 2, 1863. 

John Donahue — Sei>temlier 7, 1862, three years; mustered out 
with company June 1, 1865; resides Crater, Clarion County, 
Pennsylvania. 

Jacob Derr — September 16, 1863, three years; drafted; wounded 
and taken prisoner at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; 
transferred to (^nipany K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- 
unteers June 1, 1865; resides Millvale, Pennsylvania. 

JosiAH Deiiil — October 19, 1863, three years; drafted; taken pris- 
oner at S|>otsylvania (Vuirt House, Virginia, May 12, 1864: 
held till A])ril 2S, 1865; transferred to Company K, 53d 
Regiment Pennsylvania Voluntoors, June 1, 1865; resides 
Watsontown, Pennsylvania. 

William H. Divins — February 26, 1864, three years ; transferred 
to Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
June 1, 1865; dead. 

Thomas M. Divins — February 26, 1864, three years; transferred 
to Com])any K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 
1, 1865; resides Brinkerton, Pennsylvania. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1031 

James P. Divins — Eebruary 26, 1804, three vcars; transferred to 
Company K, 53d Keginicnr Pciinsvlvaiiia N'olunteers, Juno 
1, 1865; died 1901. 

David Divins — :March 30, 1864, three years; died in Xew York- 
August 8, 1864; buried in Cypress Hill Cemetery, Long- 
Island. 

William H. Dorwokth — February 20, 1804, three years; trans- 
to Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 
1, 1865; dead; supposed to have been killed at Cold TTarbor, 
Virginia. 

William II. DomvoKTii — February 26, 1864, tiliroe years; trans- 
ferred to (^ompany K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers June 1, 1865 ; resides IIJ) Rosewell Street, Akron, Ohio. 

George Doney — October 22, 1862, three years; drafted; cajitured 
at SjX)tsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864; diod 
at Andersonville, Georgia, December 1, 1864 ; grave Xo. 6568. 

John Evalin — August 26, 1862, three years; transferred to Com- 
pany G, 10th Regiment Veteran Reserve Cor])s ; discharged 
by General Order July 24, 1865. 

Jacob Fox — September 7, 1862, three years; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865; resides Pennsburg, Pennsylvania. 

Edward Eaul — September 26, 1862, three years; wounded at Po 
River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; discharged by General 
Order June 9, 1865; resides Sellersville, Pennsylvania. 

John Flick — Septcnuber 7, 1862, three years; died at Windmill 
Point, Virginia, January 30, 1863. 

John Fox — September 26, 1862, three years; killed at Deep P>ot- 
tom, Virginia, August 15, 1864. 

Joseph Gries — September 26, 1862, three years; wounded at Spot- 
sylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864; absent, in 
hospital, at muster out ; resides Shamrock Station, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

James Green — March 26, 1864, three years; deserted May 3, 1804, 
but returned under the President's proclamation ; transferred 
to Company Iv, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers; re- 
turned to that company and mustered out with it June 30, 
1865 ; dead. 

Robert Huey — Se}>tember 7, 1862, three years; taken i)risoner at 
Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865; resides Star City, Indiana. 

John Harriger— September 7, 1862, three years; discharged by 
General Order June 5, 1865 ; dead. 



1 032 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

Henry Hillegras — September 26, 1862, three years ; wounded at 
Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; discliarged by General 
Order June 5, 1865 ; Gorysville, Bucks County, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Joseph ITamm — September 7, 1862, three years; discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate February 12, 1863; resides Curllsville, 
Pennsylvania. 

Silas W. Harrington — October 30, 1863, three years; substitute; 
wounded at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 
1864; transferred to Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers June 1, 1865; resides Kearney, Wyoming. 

Thomas J. Hoffman — October 27, 1863, three years; substitute; 
transferred to Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, June 1, 1865 ; resides Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. 

George Hesset — September 26, 1862, three years; wounded at 
Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; transferred to Veteran 
Reserve Corps, Januarj^ 1, 1865 ; resides Frankport, Phila- 
delphia County, Pennsylvania. 

JosiAii n. Jacobs — September 26, 1862, three years; wounded ai 
Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; died at Washington, D. 
C, June 16, 1864, of wound received in action at Cold Har- 
bor, Virginia, June 3, 1864; dead. 

Evans Keys — September 7, 1862, three years; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865. 

Enos Krauss — September 26, 1862, three years; wounded at Spot- 
sylvania, Virginia, May 12, 1864; absent in hospital at 
muster out; resides East Greenville, Pennsylvania. 

Peter Kluck — October 22, 1863, three years; drafted; trans- 
ferred to Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, June 1, 1865 ; dead. 

David A. Krotzer — February 26, 1864, three years; wounded at 
Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864 ; transferred to 36th Com- 
])'aiiy, 2d Battalion Veteran Reserve Corps; (lisehargcnl by 
General Order September 4, 1865 ; resides Chicora, Butler 
County, Pennsylvania. 

Andrew J. Kifer — September 7, 1862, three years; wounded at 
Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 2, 1863 ; transferred to Vet- 
eran Reserve Corps February' 15, 1864; resides Reidsburg, 
Clarion County, Pennsylvania. 

Harrison T>ong— October 28, 1863, three years; substitute; trans- 
ferred to Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, June 1, 1865; resides Coats Grove, Michigan. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1053 

JosiAH LiNTAMAN — October 29, 1863, three years; substitute; 
taken prisoner at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 18G4 ; trans- 
ferred to Company K, 53d Reg-irnent Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, June 1, 1865. 

John W. Latimore — September 7, 1862, three years; promoted to 
Corporal; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps February 
15, 1864; discharged by General Order July 25, 1865. 

John Myers — September 7, 1862, three years; wounded at Spot- 
sylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864; mustered 
out with company June 1, 1865 ; dead. 

Preston M. Magee — September 7, 1862, three years; mustered 
out with company June 1, 1865; resides Bayonne, New 
Jersey. 

Andrew J. Miller — September 7, 1862, three years; captured at 
Reams Station, Virginia, August 25, 1864; discharged by 
General Order July 20, 1865 ; resides New Bethlehem, Penn- 
sylvania. 

George W. Miller — September 7, 1862, three years; discharged 
on surgeon's certificate February 2, 1863 ; Fairmount City, 
Pennsylvania. 

Solomon Mahle — September 7, 1862, three years; discharged on 
surgeon's certificate April 24, 1863 ; dead. 

William Milligan — February 26, 1864, three years; wounded at 
Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864; dis- 
charged on surgeon's certificate March 18, 1865 ; dead. 

Joseph Milligan — February 26, 1864, three years; transferred to 
Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 
1, 1865 ; resides Brinkertown, Clarion County, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Samuel Merley — September 1, 1863, three- years; drafted.; 
wounded and taken prisoner at Boydton Plank Road, Vir- 
ginia, October 27, 1864; transferred to Company K, 53d 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 1865 ; dead. 

Ieander Myers — September 7, 1862, three years; killed at Peters- 
burg, Virginia, June 16, 1864; buried in Poplar Grove Na- 
tional Cemetery, Division A, Section D, Grave 75. 

Anthony McKinney — March 31, 1864, tbree years; transferred to 
Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 
1, 1865; died 1901. **.,A 

Jones McCormick— September 24, 1863, three years; prisoner at 
Reams Station, Virginia, August 25, 1864; discharged by 
General Order May 24, 1865; resides Limestone, Clarion 
County, Pennsylvania. 



1034 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

William McBkide — February 26, 1864, three years; transferred to 
Company I, 12th Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps, January 
1, 1865 ; discharged by General Order July 21, 1865 ; dead. 

David McClure — ^JSklarch 3, 1864, three years; not on muster out 
roll; resides Baldwin, Pennsylvania. 

John D. Xeil — September 7, 1862, three years; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865 ; dead. 

Abraham W. Xulph — February 26, 1864, three years; discharged 
on surgeon's certificate February 23, 1865 ; dead. 

David Polliard — September 7, 1862, three years; wounded at 
Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864; absent 
in hospital at muster out ; resides Riversburg, Clarion County, 
Pennsylvania. 

Oliver W. Pettet — September 7, 1862, three years; wounded al 
Totopotomoy Creek, Virginia, May 30, 1864, three years; 

absent in hospital at muster out ; dead. 
William E, Pysher — September 7, 1862, three years; discharged 

by General Order May 30, 1865 ; dead. 

Michael Phillips— March 31, 1864, three years ; missing in ac- 
tion at Reams Station, Virginia, August 25, 1864; trans- 
ferred to Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers June 1, 1865; dead. 

George W. Pritner — October 30, 1863, three years; transferred to 
Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 
1, 1865; Martins Ferry, Ohio. 

George Price — Seiptember 7, 1862, three years; died May 21, 
1863, of wounds received in action May 3, 1863. 

Reuben Quillman — September 7, 1862, three years; mustered out 
with company June 1, 1865 ; resides East Texas, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Daniel Quillman — September 26, 1862, three years ; mustered ovX 
with company June 1, 1865; resides East Texas, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

John N. Rathfon — September 26, 1862, tliree years; wounded at 
Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863 ; transferred to Vet- 
eran Reserve Corps ; discharged by General Order June 27, 
1865. 

Stern Reynolds — September 7, 1862, tliree years; wounded at 
Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864, and at 
Reams Station August 25, 1864; discharged by General 
Order July 8, 1865 ; dead. 



THE J48TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1055 

James Randolph — September 7, 1862, three jiears; taken prisoner 
at Reams Station, Virginia, August 25, 1864; mustered out 
with company June 1, 1865 ; dead. 

George W. Reedy — September 7, 1862, three years; mustered out 
with the company June 1, 1865 ; resides Redcliffe, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

John W. Reichart — February 26, 1864, three years; transferred 
to Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 
1, 1865; resides Challenge, Pennsylvania. 

Daniel Reese — ^Ootober 28, 1863, three yeai'^ ; substitute; cap- 
tured; died at Andersonville, Georgia, August 25, 1864; 
grave 6838. 

Am'b. Rothermel — October 21, 1863, three years; substitute; cap- 
tured at Reams Station, Virginia, Aug-ust 25, 1864; died at 
Salisbury, ISTorth Carolina, November 7, 1864. 

Lavinus W. Shaffer — September 26^ 1862, three years; taken 
prisoner at Totoiwtomoy Creek, Virginia, May 30, 1864 ; 
mustered out with company June 1, 1865 ; resides Allen- 
town, Pennsylvania. 

John Stewart — September 26, 1862, three years; sent to insane 
asylum K^ovember 1, 1862 ; absent at muster out; dead. 

W. L. Slagle — September 7, 1862, three years; discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate January 16, 1863; dead. 

Marion Smith — September 7, 1862, three years; transferred to 
Company E, 19tih' Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps, ISTovem- 
ber 1, 1863; discharged by General Order July 13, 1865; 
resides Hazel Ridge, Tennessee. 

James H. Switzer— September 7, 1862, three years; transferred 
to Company E, 19tih Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps, Feb- 
ruary 15, 1864; resides Emerick, Madison County, Ne- 
braska. 

John M. Stout— September 26, 1862, three years; transferred to 
Company D, 19th Regiment Veteran Resen-e Corps, March 
14, 1864; discharged by General Order July 13, 1865; re- 
sides Pennsburg, Pennsylvania. 

William J. M. Sloan— Septembei- 7, 1862, tliroe yeai-s ; died at 
Morrisville, Virginia, September 9, 1863. 

John Switzer— October 29, 1863, three years; died at Stevens- 
burg, Virginia, Februarv 26, 1864. 

Napoleon B. Salyards— September 26, 1862, three years; 
wounded at Totopotomoy Creek, May 30, 1864; died at City 
Point Virginia, April 2, 1865, of Avminds received in action. 



1056 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

Bennival Tsciiopp — Ocitober 20, 1863, tliree years; substitute; 
transferred to Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- 
unteers June 1, 1865 ; dead. 

Denton L. Thompson — ^September 7, 1862, three years; killed at 
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863. 

CiiKiSTiAN Thomas — ^/September 1, 1863, three years; drafted; 
died at Stevensburg, Virginia, January 7, 1864. 

Benjamin Thompson — September 7, 1862, three years; killed at 
Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864. 

James Varner — September 7, 1862, three years; discharged on 
surgeon's certifioate Feibruary 18, 1863. 

John Vanhouter — February 26, 1864, three years; transferred to 
Company H, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers June 
1, 1865 ; dead. 

McCoMB Vanhouter — February 26, 1864, tliree years; died at 
Washington, D. C, October 30, 1864, of wounds received in 
action at Reams Station ; buried in National Cemetery, Ar- 
lington, Virginia. 

Lebbeus B. Woods — September 26, 1862, three years; wounded and 
captured at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 
1864; discharged by General Order June 21, 1865; resides 
Surprise, Nebraska. 

Robert H. Wilson — September 7, 1862, three years ; mustered out 
with company June 1, 1865 ; resides Wardner, Idaho. 

Uriah Wilson — September 7, 1862, three years ; mustered out with 
company June 1, 1865 ; resides New Bethlehem, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

David D. Woods — September 7, 1862, three years; absent, sick, at 
muster out; resides West Decatur, Pennsylvania. 

Henky C. Wiant — September 7, 1862, three years; discharged on 
surgeon's cn-tificate April 2, 1864; dead. 

Henry W. Wentzel — February 26, 1864, three years; wounded at 
Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 15, 1864; transferred to Com- 
pany K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, June 1, 
1865 ; resides Ridgeway, Pennsylvania. 

George F. Wiant — February 26, 1864, three years; "\v(-)unded at 
Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12, 1864; trans- 
ferred to Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, June 1 1865 ; resides New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. 

William E. Weckerly — February 26, 1864, three years; trans- 
ferred to Company K, 53d Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, June 1, 1865; rsides New Bethlehem, Pennylvania. 



i 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1037 

Melcher Wasser — September 26, 1862, three years ; wounded and 
captured at Gettysburg; transferred to Veteran Reserve 
Corps February 15, 1864; discharged by General Order 
July 14, 1865 ; dead. 

William Wiant — September 7, 1862, three years; wounded at 
Cliancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1864 ; transferred to Vet- 
eran Resei-ve Corps February 15, 1864 ; resides Clarion, 
Pennsylvania. 

Abraham C. Wiant — February 26, 1864, three years ; wounded at 
Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864, and at Petersburg, Vir- 
ginia, Januaiy 16, 1864; transferred to Veteran Reserve 
Corps January 15, 1865 ; dead. 

John Woods — September 7, 1862, three years ; died at Stevens- 
burg, Virginia, March 8, 1864; buried in Culpeper National 
Cemetery, Block 1, Section A, Row 4, Grave 119. 

Adam Wonsettler — September 26, 1862, three years; killed at 
Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864. 

William Zeigenfuss — September 26, 1862, three years; wounded 
at Spotsylvania, Virginia, May 12, 1864; absent, in hospital, 
at muiter out ; resides Polo, Illinois. 



1038 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

CASUALTIES. 

KILLED AND MORTALLY WOUNDED. 

(Compiled from the rolls and arranged in alphabetical order.) 

1. Ammerman, William C, Corporal, B, died May 31, 1864, 

of wounds received at Spotsylvania Court House May 12, 
lSG-1:; buried at Arlington. 

2. Ammermtui, David, Private, B, died of wounds received at 

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 18G3; buried in JSTa- 
tional Cemetery, Section B, Grave 33. 

3. Acker, David, Private, D, died June 3, 1863, at Potomac 

Creek Hospital, of wounds received May 3, 1863, at 
Chancellorsville, Virginia. 

4. Allison, Matthew C, Corporal, E, May 19, 1864, of wounds 

received at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864. 

5. Bierly, Wesley W., First Lieuteaiant, A, September 2, 18G4, at 

Petersburg, Virginia, of wounds received June 22, 1864. 

6. Barr, Isaac, Private, A, August 16, 1864, Deep Bottom, Vir- 

ginia. 

7. Boob, William, PrivatCj A, June 16, 1864, at Richmond, of 

wounds i"eceived at Po River, Virginia, May 10th. 

8. Byers, John F., Private, B, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia, 

9. Bible, William H., First Lieutenant, C, May 3, 1863, Chan- 

cellorsville, Virginia. 

10. Beck, James T, Corporal, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

11. Biddle, Hiland, Corporal, C, December 28, 18.64, of wounds 

received October 8, 1864, at Petersburg, Virginia. 
(Burial Record, died at City Point, Virginia, January 
28, 1865.) 

12. Baird, Jacob, Private, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, Vir- 

ginia. 

13. Bible, William, Corporal, D, May 10, 1863, of wounds re- 

ceived at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

14. Bloom, Benjamin, Private, D, June 11, 1863, at Potomac 

Creek Hospital, Virginia, of wounds received May 3, 
1863, at Chancellorsville, Virginia. 

1.5. Brubaker, Cyrus, Private, D, May 12, 1864, S|x>tsylvania 
Court House, Virginia. 

16. Byams, George, Private, D, June 5, 1864, Cold Harbor, Vir- 
ginia. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1059 

17. Bush, Emanuel, Private, E, May 12, 1861-, Spotsylvania Court 
House, Virginia. (Buriel Record died at Richmond, 
Virginia, September 15, 1804.) 

18. Burrell, William H., Corporal F, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania; buried National Cemetery, Section E, 
Grave 7. 

19. Beans, Benjamin F., Private, G, August 25, 1864, Reams 

Station, Virginia. 

20. Bayard, John A., Second Lieutenant, II, July 3, 1863, of 

wounds received July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 

21. Beales, James E., Private, H, August 8, 1863, of woun.ds re- 

ceived at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863 ; buried 
at National Cemetery, Section C, Grave 85. 

22. Boring, John F., Private, II, June 18, 1864, Petersburg, Vir- 

ginia; buried in National Cemetery, City Point, \'ir- 
ginia, Section E, Division 2, Grave 175. 

23. Botorf, John, Private, K, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

24. Conner, Michael F., First Sergeant, B, May 3, 1863, Chan- 

cellorsville, Virginia. 

25. Carter, Abraham G., Sergeant, C, May 3, 1863, Chancollors- 

ville, Virginia. 

26. Campbell, William, Private, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia. 

27. Carver, Joseph, Private, C, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania; buried National Cemeteiy, Section F, Grave 
27. 

28. Cronamiller, Reuben, Private, C, June 4, 1863, of wniinds re- 

ceived at Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

29. Confare, Henry, Private, D, March 25, 1865, Petersburg, 

Virginia. 

30. Creighton, Alexander, Private, F, July 3, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania; buried in National Cemetery, Section A, 
Grave 4. 

31. Cooney, John, Private, F, June 19, 1864, at Richmond, Vir- 

ginia, of wounds received May 10, 1864, at Pu Uivor, 
Virginia. 

32. Condo, Benjamin D., Private, G, June 17, 1864, at Wash- 

ington, T). C, of wounds received at Cold Jlarbor, June 
3, 1864. 

33. Cook, James B, First Lieutenant, II, June 1, 1864, at Armory 

Square Hospital, Washington, D. C, of wounds received 
at Po River May 10, 1864. 

34. Carlton, John W., Private, 11, May 12, 1864, SiX)tsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 



1040 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

35. Clapp, Herman H., Private, II, June 3, 18G4, at Cold Harbor, 

Virginia. 

36. Craft, Andrew, Private, I, May 3, 1863, Cbancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

37. Crispin,. Harvey, Private, I, June 15, 1864, at Washington, 

D. C, of wounds received in action ; buried in !N^ational 
Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. 

38. Core, Thompson, Captain K, June 1, 1864, of wounds re- 

ceived at Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864. 

39. Carle, Bennival, Private, K, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

40. Corbett, Walter L., Private, K, August 14, 1864, Deep Bot- 

tom, Virginia. 

41. Crum, William, Private, A, wounded at Po River, May 10. 

1864; died at Washington of siame. 

42. Dale, Solomon, Private, A, May 12, 1864, of wounds received 

at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia. 

43. Davis, Abel, "^ Private, B, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania. 

44. Dorman, Jacob, Private, C, May 3, 1863, Cbancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

45. Durst, Franklin, Private, D, May 3, 1863, Cbancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

46. Durst, John, Private, D, October 6, 1863, at Harrisburg, 

Pennsylvania, of wounds received at Gettysburg, Penn- 
sylvania, July 3, 1863. 

47. Duffy, George J., Corjwral, G, ]\[ay 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

48. Devore, William, Private, G, August 16, 1864, Deep Bottom, 

Virginia ; buried at Milroy, Pennsylvania. 

49. Deisher, Israel, Private, H, May 12,' 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

50. Donvorth, John C, Private, K, June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor. 

51. Edmonds, Jacob B., Captain, C, June 22, 1864, Petersburg, 

Virginia. 

52. Ev(n'hart, Samuel, First Lieutenant, C, March 31, 1865, 

White Oak Road, Virginia; buried Spring Creek Ceme- 
tery. 

53. Earnest, Joseph, Corjwral, T, August 25, 1864, Reams Sta- 

tion, Virginia. 

54. Fleck, James M., Private, A, May 7, 1864, Wilderness, Vir- 

ginia. 

55. Fullmer, Tsaiali, Private, A, at Petersburg, Virginia, of 

wounds received at Po River, Virijinia, Mav 10, 1864; 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1041 

buried at Poplar Grove Cemetery, Virginia, Division S, 
Section E. 

56. Fullmer, William, Private, A, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

57. Forster, Robert McKay, Captain, C, July 2, 1863, Gettys- 

burg, Pennsylvania. 

58. Fraser, Alfred W., Private, D., May 3, 1863, Cliancellors- 

ville, Virginia. 

59. Frantz, Peter, Corporal, H, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 

of wounds received at Petersburg, Virginia ; buried at 
Port Matilda, Centre County, Pennsylvania. 

60. Flinn, Michael, Private, H, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

61. Ferringer, Daniel, Private, I, June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, 

Virginia. 

62. Fox, John, Private, K, August 15, 1864, Deep Bottom, Vir- 

ginia. 

63. Gilbert, :N'oah, Private, A, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

64. Gill, Samuel, Private, C, August 14, 1864, Deep Bottom, 

Virginia. 

65. Gilbert, George W., Private. G, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania, 

Court House, Virginia. 
QQ. Gross, William M., Private, G, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 
Court House, Virginia. 

67. Gunsalis, Samuel, Private, IT, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

68. Green, John, Private, IT, August 2, 1863, of wounds received 

at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863; buried Na- 
tional Cemetery, Ivoudon Park, Baltimore, ^Maryland. 

69. Gillhousen, Frederick, Private I, July 17, 1863, of wounds 

received at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863. 

70. Gibson, Levi W., Corporaf K, August 16, 1864, Deep Bottom, 

Virginia. 

71. Harman, Charles C, First Sergeant, C, July 1, 1863, at Wash- 

ington, D. 0., of wounds received at Chancellorsville, 
Virginia, May 3, 1863. 

72. Harshberger, Samuel, Corjwral, D, May 3, 1863, Chancel- 

lorsville, Virginia. 

73. Holloway, Samuel, Private, D, J\[ay 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia. 

74. Hull, Abraham, Private, D, Augiist 25, Reams Station, Vir- 

ginia. 

75. Henry, Robert A., First Sergeant, F, :May 10, 1864, Po 

River, Virginia. 



1042 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

76. IJuokcnberry, Benjamin, Private, F, Auoust 28, 18G4, at 

Washington, D. C, of wounds received at Deep Bottom, 
Virginia, August 16, 1864; buried in National Ceme- 
tery, Arlington, Virginia. 

77. Ilamer, Samuel, Private, G, October, 1864, on picket fron*: 

of Petersburg, Virginia. 

78. Hagerty, Andrew J., Private, I, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania, 

79. Tmboden, Palser F., Private, D, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia. 

80. Trvin, Martin T., Corporal, F, May 10, 1863, Po Eiver, Vir- 

ginia. 

81. Ishler, George W., Private G, May 6, 1863, of wounds re- 

ceived May 3, 1863, at Ohancellorsville, Virginia; buried 
at Boals'burg, Pennsylvania. 

82. Jearls, Lawson A., Private, I, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

83. Jacobs, Josiali H., Private, K, June 16, 1864, at Washing- 

ton, D. C, of wounds received June 3, 1864, at Cold 
Harbor, Virginia. 

84. Keys, Thomas C, Corporal, C, August 25, 1864, Reams Sta- 

tion, Virginia. 

85. Koontz, Tsaiah, Private, C, June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, Vir- 

ginia. 

86. Knarr, William, Private, D, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsvillc, 

Virginia. 

87. Kane, Jacob G., Private. D, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsvillc, 

Virginia. 

88. Koch, Franklin, Private, D, May 3, 1863, Chancpll.»rsville,_ 

Virginia. 

89. Klingensmith, Sampson, Private, E, July 2, 1863. Gettys- 

burg, Pennsylvania. 

90. Kunklc, John, Private, E, died in hospital from wounds re- 

ceived July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 

91. ■ Kennelly. Stephen, Corporal, F, :May 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia. 

92. Kennedy, David, Private, F, May 31, 1864, of wounds re- 

ceived May 12, 1864, at Spotsylvania Court House; 
buried National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. 

93. Koonfier, David, Private, G, June 2, 1864, Cold Harbor, Vir- 

ginia. 

94. Lanich, Jacob, Corjxtral, A, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania. 

95. Lander, Jacob S., First Lieutenant, C, June 3, 1864, Cold 

Harbor, Virginia. 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIA VOLUNTEERS 1043 

96. Leitzel, Samuel, Privat<>, 1), May 3, 1863, Ohancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

97. Long, ITenrv, Private, D, ]\ray 3, 1S63, Chancellorsville, Vir- 

ginia. 

98. Law, Jor^cpli TL, Private, E, April 7, 1865, Fannville, Vir- 

ginia. 

99. Landers, William, Private, E, April 8, 1865, of wounds re- 

ceived March 31, 1865, at White Oak Road, Virginia; 
buried in ISTational CemeteTy, City Point, Virginia, 
Section A, Division 4, Grave 65. 

100. Luckhart, David F., Private, E, May 30, 1864, at Armor\ 

Hospital, Washingt^^n, D. C, of wounds received Ma> 
10, 1864, at Po River, Virginia. 

101. Little, Beni:imin, Private E, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virgi'iia. 

102. Ludwig, James, Corporal, TT, October 27, 1864, Petersburj>, 

Virginia. 

103. Ludwio-,^Viriiain. Privato, Tl. May 3, 1863, (liancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

104. Long, Ilavrisdii, Private, L August 17, 1863, of wounds re- 

ceived July 2, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania : buried 
in i^ational Cemetery, Section A, Grave 56. 

105. McMurray, James F., Private A, at Washington, D. C, of 

wounds received June 3, 1864, at Cold Harbor, Virginia. 

106. McCalniont, William T., Corporal, C, July 2, 1863, Gettys- 

burg, Pennsylvania. 

107. McDowell, John,* Private, C, June 18, 1864, of wounds re- 

ceived June 3, 1864, at Cold Harbor, Virginia; buried 
in ISTational Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. 

108. McAllister, Henry V., Private, D, at Bellefonte. Pennsyl- 

vania, of wounds received June 3, 1864, at Cold ILar- 
bor, Virginia. 

109. :\rcAbee, Luke, Private, F, May 12, 1S64, Spotsylvania Court 

House, Virginia. 

110. McGuire, William, Sergeant, G, May 9, 1863, of wounds re- 

ceived IMay 3, 1863, a-t Chancellorsville, Virginia. 

111. ]\rcllliattan, Grorge W., Private, G, June 5, 1864, of wounds 

received Mav 12, 1864, at S]>otsylvania Court House, 
Virginia. 

112. McKinley, Samuel, Sergeant, H, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania ; buried at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 
among unknown dead. 

113. McDonakf, William, Corporal, H, June 20, 1864, at Wash- 

ington, V). C., of w.Miiids received May 10, 1864, at Po 
River, Virjjinia. 



1 044 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

114. ^McGuire, John A., First Lieutenant, I, May 15, 1864, at 

Falmouth, Virginia, of wounds received May 12, 1864, 
at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia. 

115. McQuiston, Alexander, Sergeant, I, August 25, 1864, Reams 

Station, Virginia. 

116. McCullough, Thomas, Corporal, I, August 17, 1863, of 

wounds received July 2, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pennsyl- 
vania ; buried in ISTational cemetery, Section A, Grave 59. 

117. Mingle, Elias, Sergeant, A, July 31, 1863, of wounds re- 

ceived July 2, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 

118. Miller, Daniel, Corporal, A, August 6, 1864, at Washington, 

D. C, of wounds received June 17, 1864, at Petersburg, 
Virginia. 

119. Miller, Aaron, Private, A, July 2, 1863, Gettvsburg, Penn- 

sylvania. 

120. Meyer, William C, Private, A, Aug-ust 14, 1864, Deep Bot- 

tom, Virginia. 

121. Moon, Charles, Private, B, April 7, 1865, at Washington, 

D. C, of wounds received March 31, 1865, at White 
Oak Road, Virginia ; buried in I^ational Cemetery, Ar- 
lington, Virginia. 

122. Matteni, John G., Corporal, C, Mav 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

123. Mayes, Miles M., Private, C, May 18, 1864, of wounds re- 

ceived May 12, 1864, at Spotsylvania Court House, Vir- 
ginia. 

124. ]\rarklo, Henry, Private, C, June 6, 1863, of wounds received 

May 3, 1863, at Chancellorsville, Virginia. 

125. Mastly,' John H., Private, C, May 11, 1864, of wounds re- 

ceived May 10, 1864, at Po River, Virginia. 

126. Matthews, George M., Private, C, M/ay 12, 1864, Spotsyl- 

vania Court House, Virginia. 

127. Murphy, John A, Private, D, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

128. Myers, Adam G., Private, D, June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, 

Virginia. 

129. :\fini<'1i." Andrew, Private, E, jNIarch 31, 1865, Gravelly Run, 

Virginia. 

130. Myers, Amos, Private, G, July 3, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania. 

131. Miller, John W., Private, H, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

132. Miller, Wymian S., Private, H, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANU FOLUNTEERS 1045 

133. Mertz, William 11., Private, H, October 27, 1864, Petersburg, 

Virginia. 

134. Makiii, William H., Private, H, July G, 1804, of wounds re- 

ceived May 29, 1864, at Four Mile Run, Virginia; 
buried National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. 

135. Moorbead, Thompson, Private, I, September 17, 1^64, Peters- 

burg, Virginia. 

136. Mast, Jacob F., Sergeant, K, May 10, 1804, Po Eiver, Vir- 

ginia. 

137. Myers, Leander, Private, K, June 16, 1864, Petersburg, Vir- 

ginia ; buried at Poplar Grove National Cemetery, Di- 
vision A, Section D, Grave 75. 
13S. Norris, William H., Private, C, May 3, 1863, Cbancellors- 
ville, Virginia, 

139. Newton, Moses W., Private, I, May 27, 1864, at Washington, 

D. C, of wounds received May 10, 1864, at Po River, 
Virginia. (Burial Records at Alexander, Virginia, 
]\ray 28, 1864, Grave 1947.) 

140. Nulph, Peter, Private, I, May 10, 1864, of wounds received 

May 10, 1864, at Po River, Virginia. (Burial Records 
died May 26, 1864.) Buried National Cemetery, Ar- 
lington, Virginia. 

141. Neal, Hugh S., Corporal, K, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

142. Osman, George, Private, C, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania ; buried National Cemetery, Section B, Grave 
53. 

143. Osman, Daniel, Private, D, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

144. Pheasant, George, Private, B, July 2, 1863, Gettysbuig, 

Pennsylvania. 

145. Postlethwaite, William J., Cori^ral, E, May 11, 1864, of 

wounds received May 10, 1864, at Po River, Virginia. 

146. Pearson, William, Private, H, November 20, 1864, of wounds 

received June 17, 1864, at Petersburg, Virginia ; buried 
in National Cemetery, City Point, Virginia. 

147. Phillips, Michael, Private, X, August 25, 1864, Reams Sta- 

tion, Virginia. 

148. Price, George, Private, K, May 21, 1863, of wounds received 

May 3, 1863, at Chancellorsville, Virginia. 

149. Roop, Jacob, Corporal, B, May 9, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

150. Ralston, David G., First Bieutenant, C, August 25, 1864, 

Reams Station, Virginia. 

151. Reed, John, Private, D, M«y 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, Vir- 

ginia. 



1046 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

152. Reeser, Jacob, Private, D, July 14, 1864, at Eiclimond, Vir- 

ginia, of wounds received May 10, 1864, at Po River, 
Virginia. 

153. Royer, Abraham M., Private, G, August 15, 1864, of wounds 

received May 30, 1864, at Totopotomoy, Virginia. 

154. lieader, Frederick, Private, II, at Potomac Creek Hospital of 

wounds received May 3, 1863, at Cliancellorsville, Vir- 
ginia. 

155. Khodes, Jacob R., , C, S^wtsylvania May 12, 1864. 

156. Rhodes, David D., Private, I, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

157. Spotts, John, Private, B, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania Court 

House, Virginia. 

158. Sidell, Joseph, Private, B, March 31, 1865, White Oak Road, 

Virginia. 

159. Stevenson, Francis, Second Lieutenant, C, May 3, 1863, 

Chanoellorsville, Virginia. 

160. Swiler, John F., Sergeant, C, June 22, 1864, Petersburg, 

Virginia. 

161. Seese, Jacob, Private, C, June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, Vir- 

ginia. 

162. Seonier, Simon, Private, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

163. Swiler, Smith, Private, C, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania Court 

House, Virginia. 

164. Seal, George W., Corporal, D, June 16, 1864, Petersburg, 

Virginia; buried at Poplar Grove l^ational Cemetery, 
Petersburg, Virginia, Division D, Section C, Grave 148. 

165. Stover, John J., Private, D, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

166. Stover, Cornelius, Private, D, May 17, 1863, at Potomac 

Creek Hospital of wounds received May 3, 1863, nt 
Chancellorsville, Virginia. 

167. Stayman, Henry, Private, D, July 11, 1864, at Philadelphia, 

Pennsylvania, of wounds received May 12, 1864, at Spot- 
sylvania Court House, Virginia. 

168. Shofstall, Joseph J., Corporal, E, March 31, 1865, Wliite 

Oak Road, Virginia; buried Poplar Grove National 

Cemetery, Petersburg, Virginia, Division D, Section B, 

Grave 47. 
160. Smitli, David, Private, E, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania (-ourt 

House, Virginia. 
170. Sankey, Jeremiah A., First Lieutenant, F, March 29, 1865, 

at City Point, Virginia, of ^vounds received March 25, 

1865, at Petersburg, Virginia. 



THE 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1047 

171. Smith, John 11., Private, F., May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 
17^. Steft'ey, George M., Private, F, July 3, 18G3, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

173. Swinehart, William 11., Corporal, G, May 10, 18G1, Po 

River, Virginia. 

174. Shoe-maker, Dias, Private, G, August 15, 1864, while a pris- 

oner^ of wounds received May 12, 1864, at Spotsylvania 
Court House, Virginia. 

175. Snyder, Samuel H., Private, G, in hospital at Washington, 

D. C, August 22, 1864, of wounds received May 10, 
1864, at Po River, Virginia 

176. Sweetwood, Isaac, Private, H, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

177. Stewart, James, Private, H, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania; buried in National Cemetery, Gettysburg, 
Pennsylvania. 

178. Shaffer, Frederick, Private, H, died of wounds received May 

10, 1864, at Po River, Virginia. 

179. Sturtz, Jacob, Private, H, August 25, 1865, Reams Station, 

Virginia, 

180. Shaw^, Samuel, Private, I, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania. 

181. Simpson, Lucius A., Private, I, October 27, 1864, Peters- 

burg, Virginia. 

182. Sloan, William C, Sergeant, K, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia ; buried in Wilderness Burial 
Ground. 

183. Schwartzfager, Isaac F., Corporal, K, April 15, 1865^ at 

Washington, D. C, of wounds received June 3, 1864, at 
Cold Harbor, Virginia. 

184. Salyards, IsTapoleon b!, Private, K, April 2, 1865, at City 

Point, Virginia, of wounds received May 30, 1864, at 
Totopotomoy Creek, Virginia. 

185. Timblin, George F., Private," E, June 3, 1864, at Washing- 

ton, D. C, of wounds received May 10, 1864, at Po 
River, Virginia ; buried in National Cemetery, Arling- 
ton, Virginia. 

186. Thompson, Williwm A., Private, G, June 1, 1864, near Han- 

overtown, Virginia. 

187. Test, James M., P^rivate, H, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

188. Thompson, Joseph Y., Private, I, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 



1048 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

189. Thompson, Denton L., Private, K, July 2, 1863, Gettys- 

burg, Penury 1 vaj i i a . 

190. Thompson, Benjamin, Private, K, May 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia. 

191. Van Dyke, William S., Corporal, G, May 12, 1864, Spotsyl- 

vania Court House, Virginia. 

192. Vanhouter, Macomb, Private, K, October 30, 1864, at Wash- 

ington, D. C, of wounds received August 25, 1864, at 
Peams Station, Virginia; buried in National Cemetery, 
Arlington, Virginia. 

193. Weight, John, Private, A, July 24, 1863, of wounds received 

July 2, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; buried at 
Eebersburg, Pennsylvania. 

194. Wolf, Franklin, Private, A, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

195. Witherow, S. D., Private, B, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

196. Wilan, Robert, Private, B, June 16, 1864, Petersburg, Vir- 

ginia. 

197. Wood, Lewis A., Corporal C, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

198. Weaver, William, Corporal, D, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia. 

199. Whitsel, Philip, Private, E, June 6, 1864, of wounds re- 

ceived June 5, 1864, at Cold Harbor, Virginia. 

200. Wynkoop, John S., Private, E, May 23, 1864, at Fredericks- 

burg, Virginia, of wounds received May 10, 1864, at Po 
River, Virginia 

201. Watkins, William, Private F, June 10, 1863, of wounds re- 

ceived May 3, 1863, at Chancellorsville, Virginia. 

202. Woodcock, Blair, Private, F, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

203. Weand, Jacob, Private, F, June 18, 1864, of wounds re- 

ceived May 12, 1864, at Spotsylvania Court House; 
buried in National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. 

204. Ward, George W., Corporal, G, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia. 

205. Williams, James A., Private, G, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg. 

Pennsylvania. 

206. Wants, Ulysses, Private, H, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia ; buried in Wilderness Burial Ground, 
grave unknown. 

207. Wonsottler, Adam, Private, K, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANU VOLUNTEERS 1049 

208. Yarnell, Nathan M., Corporal, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia. 

209. Young, Henry, Private, E, May 20, 1864, at Fredericksburg, 

Virginia, of wounds received May 10, 1864, at Po River, 
Virginia. 

210. Yerger, Harrison, Private, H, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia ; buried in Wilderness Burial Ground, grave 
unknown. 

211. Yotliers, Adoniram J., Private, H, June 9, 1863, of wounds 

received May 3, 1863, at Chancellorsville, Virginia. 

212. Zufall, Isaac, Private, B, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

WOUNDED. 

1. Ammierman, William. C, Corporal B, May 3, 1863, Chan- 

cellorsville, Virginia. 

2. Ammerman, R. Wesley, Private, B, May 12, 1864, Spotsyl- 

vania Court House, Virginia. 

3. Adams, Nelson, Private, B, March 31, 1865, White Oak 

Road, Virginia. 

4. Ammerman, Joseph, Private, B, May 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia. 

5. Ammerman, John Thompson, Private, B, July 2, 1863, 

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 

6. Adams. Albert, Private, C, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

7. Allen, Geo. K, Private, C, May 10. 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia ; transferred to V eteran Reserve Corps. 

8. Allen, Geo. W., Private, D, May 3, Chancellorsville, Vir- 

ginia. 

9. Andrew, Seth, Private, B, no data. 

10. Acker, William, Private, I, June 5, 1864, Cold Harbor, Vir- 

ginia. 

11. Beaver, James Addams, Colonel, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia; June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, Virginia; 
June 16, 1864, Petersburg, Virginia; August 25, 1864, 
Reams Station, Virginia. 

12. Beck, Benjamin, Corporal, A, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia; March 31, 1865, AVhite Oak Road. 

13. Beam, Jeremiah, Private, A, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

14. Bierly, Solomon, Private, A, June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, 

Virginia. 

15. Bierly Charles, Private, A, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

16. Boob,'Levi, Private, A, August 25, 1864, Reams Station, Vir- 

ginia. 



1050 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

17. Boob, Nathaniel, Private, A, Po lliver, \'irgima May 10. 

1864. 

18. Boyer, Adam, Private, A, July 3, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

19. Butler, Sidney J., Private, A, June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, 

Virginia. 

20. Barr, Samuel L., First Sergeant, B, October 14, 1863, Bristoc 

Station, Virginia. 

21. Barger, Constans, Sergeant, B, Worth Anna River, Virginia; 

Maroh 31, 1865, White Oak Road, Virginia. 

22. Brown, Michael A., Private, B, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia; July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; 
transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

23. Brower, James R., Private, B, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania, 

24. l^ottorf, Samuel, Corporal, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia ; transferred to Veteran Reserve CorrrS. 

25. Bathgate, John C, Corporal, D, May 30, 1864, Bethesda 

Church, Virginia ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

26. Bullock, Robert G., Private, D, May 10, 1864, Po River. 

Virginia. 

27. Bear, James, Private, E, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania. 

28. Barr, Clarence T., Private, E, in front of Petersburg, Vir- 

ginia. 
20. Bnrrell, David, Sergeant, F, August 14, 1864, Deep Bottom, 
Virginia. 

30. Barmoy, John, Private, F, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

31. Beans, Benjamin F., Private, G, July 3, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

32. Brisbin, Brice D., Private, G, July 3, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

33. Bayard, Geo. A., lieutenant Colonel, IT, Chanoe*llorsville, 

May 3, 1863. 

34. Bayard, John A., Second Lieutenant, TT, Mav 3, 1863, Chan 

cellorsville, Virginia. 

35. Blackburne, Robert, Cor]X)ral, H, May 12, 1864, Spotsyl- 

vania Court House, Virginia. 

36. Brown, Uriah K., Private, H, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

37. Bracken, Jacob, Private, H, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

38. Bowley, Joseph W., Private, T, no details. 



I 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1051 

39. Boyer, Philip, Private, I, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

40. Buzzard, John S., Private, I, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, 
-tl. Chestnut, William A., Private, A, June 3, 1864, Cold Har- 
bor, Virginia. 

42. Conaway, Thomas A., Private, B, May 12, 1864, Six>tsyl- 

vania Court House, Virginia. 

43. Craig, John, First Sergeant, C, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

44. Carner, William, Private, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corj^. 

45. Carson, William, Private, C, May 10, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

46. Carter, Jacob L., Private, C, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania. 

47. Campbell, Henry C, Sergeant, D, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia; May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania Court 
House, Virginia. 

48. Cross, Allen B., Sergeant, D, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

49. Cory, Jacob, Corporal, D, no details. 

50. Carter, William A., Private, D, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia, 

51. Carbough, Peter L., Private, D, no details. 

52. Clark, William T, First Lieutenant, E, May 2, 1863, Chan- 

cellorsville, Virginia. 

53. Crissman, Robert J., Corporal, E, May 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia. 

54. Cummings, John A., Private, E, May 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia; March 31, 1865, Adams Farm, Virginia. 

55. Cramer, James C, Private, E, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

56. Cooney, John, Private, F, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

57. Cassady, Robert, Private, H, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

58. Campbell, William M., Private, H, May 12, 1864, Spotsyl- 

vania Court House, Virginia; June 3, 1864, Cold Har- 
bor, Virginia. 

59. Custard, Robert, Private, H, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia; March 31, 1865, White Oak 
Road, Virginia. 

60. Close, William H., Private, H, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 



1 052 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

61. Conrsin, Abram S., Sergeant, K, May 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia, 

62. Carle, Hiram, Private, K, October 27, 1864, Petersburg, Vir- 

ginia. 

63. Droucker, Alexander J., Private, B, May 9, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia. 

64. Davis, Thomas R., Private, D, August 25, 1864, Reams Sta- 

tion, Virginia. 

65. Davidson, Lewis H., Private, D, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

66. Dunkle, Jacob, Private, D, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

67. Dunkle, Benjamin, Private, G, August 25, 1864, Reams Sta- 

tion, Virginia. 

68. Deihl, John G., Private, H, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

69. Dickens, Stephen E., Private, I, no details. 

70. Derr, Jacob, Private, K, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

71. Erhard, Amos, Corporal, A., July 3, 1863, Gettysburg, P^mn- 

sylvania ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

72. Emerick Jacob, Private, A, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

73. Eymer, William D., Private, A, May 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia. 

74. Edmiston, William A., Private, B, May 9, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia. 

75. Etters, David, Private, D, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania Court 

House, Virginia. 

76. Evans, Josepli L., Private, D, June — , 1864. in front of 

Petersburg, Virginia. 

77. Everhart, Samuel, Sergeant, G, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

78. Eckinroth, Henry, Private, G, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

79. Fairlamb, George Ashbridge, Lieutenant Colonel, May 3, 

1863, Chancellorsville, Virginia; May 12, 1864, Spot- 
sylvania Court House, Virginia. 

80. Forster, Robert Henry, Major, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia; Juno 18, 1864, Petersburg, Virginia. 

81. Furley, Samuel K., Private, A, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

82. Flick, Jacob, Private, B, August 25, 1864, Reams Station, 

Virginia. 

83. Fishel, Henry, Private, B, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania Court 

House, Virginia ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANIA VOLUNTEERS 1053 

84. Funk, Martin, Private, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

85. Fislier, Charles A., Private, D, no details. 

86. Friday, Harmon, Private, E, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

87. Freeman, David C, Second Lieutenant, F, June 8^ 1862, 

Cross Keys, Virginia. 

88. Fox, Joseph, First Lieutenant, G, twice wounded, no details. 

89. Fulton, William H., Private, G, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

90. Freeze, John, Sergeant, IL, April 2, 1865, Petersburg, Vir- 

ginia. 

91. Frantz, Peter, Corporal, H, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

92. Farley, Daniel G., Private, H, June 3, 1864, Cold Harboi, 

Virginia. 

93. Frantz, Jacob, Private, H, August 25, 1864, Reams Station, 

Virginia. 

94. Fulton, Robert, Private, H, August 16, 1864, Deep Bottom, 

Virginia. 

95. Faul, Edward, Private, K, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

96. Gilbert, Manasses, Corporal, A, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

97. Gilbert, Moses, Private, A, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

98. Gilbert, Samuel, Private, A, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

99. Guiser, Matthias, Private, A, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania. 

100. Garbrick, Amos, Private, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

101. Grater, Robert, Private, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

102. Gemmill, William, Second Lieutenant, D, May 3, 1863, Chan- 

cellorsville, Virginia. 

103. Garret, Thomas, Private, E, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

104. Gearhart, David, Private, E, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

105. Gearhart, Samuel R., Private, E, May 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia. 

106. Groft, George, Private, E, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania. 



1054 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

107. Garbriek, William II., Private, G, June 11, 1864, Cold Har- 

bor, Virginia. 

108. Gilbert, George W., Private, G, July 3, 1863, Gettysbiirgy 

Pennsylvania. 

109. Glessner, Pliilip, Private, G, May 13, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Gonrt House, Virginia. 

110. Gahagan, -Jolin W., Private, H, May 3, 1863, Cbancellors- 

ville, Virginia. 

111. Groh, Samuel K, Private, I, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

112. Grenoble, Israel J., Private, I, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

113. George, James P., Sergeant, K, May 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia. 

114. Gries, Joseph, Private, K, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania Court 

House, Virginia. 

115. Ilanly, William M., Private, A, May 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia. 

116. Helman, Henry, Private, A, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

117. Harper, William D., Captain, B, June 22, 1864, Jerusalem 

Plank Road, Virginia; May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 
ginia. 

118. Huston, George R., Sergeant, B, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

119. Hall, George P., Corporal, B, July 3, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

120. Harris, George W., Private, B, March 31, 1865, Five Forks 

Virginia. 

121. Huey, William C, Sergeant, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

122. Holloway, William P., Corix)ral, D, May 12, 1864, Six)t- 

sylvania Court House, Virginia. 

123. Harshbcrger, David, Private, D, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia. 

124. Heberling, William F., Private, D, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia. 

125. Hart, Charles, Private, D, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 
120. Huffmastcr, M. V., Private, D, March 25, 1865, near Peters- 
burg, Virginia. 

127. Hartcr, Daniel H., Private, D, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville ; 

transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

128. Holloway, David C\, Private, D, May 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1055 

129. Horner, Henry, Private, E, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

130. Havener, Christ C, Private, F, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

131. Harpster, Jolm H., Captain, G, July 3, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

132. Holahan, William C, Sergeant, G, May 12, 1861, Spotsyl- 

vania Court House, Virginia. 

133. Henney, David H., Sergeant, G, May 10, 1861, Po River, 

Virginia. 

134. Harpster, Joseph L., Corjwral, G, May 12, 1864, Spotsyl- 

vania Court House, Virginia. 

135. Hoffner, Jonathan, Private, G, June 5, 1864. 

136. Hunter, Francis J., Private, H, May 3, 1863, Chanoellorb- 

ville, Virginia. 

137. Hillegras, Henry, Private, K, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

138. Harrington, Silas H., Private, K, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 
130. Hesset, George, Private, K, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 
ginia ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

140. Iddings, Joseph, Private, B, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

141. Trvin, David, Corporal, F, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

142. Trvin, James B., Corporal, G, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia; October 27 1864, Fort Gregg, 
Virginia. 

143. Johnston, John L., Captain, A, June 16, 1864, Petersburg, 

Virginia. 

144. Jackson," John, Private, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginiiv; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

145. Jamison, Jacob H., Private, E, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

146. Jacobs William A., Corporal, G, May 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia. 

147. Johiistoiu John L., First Lieutenant, H, May 3, 1863, Chan- 

cellorsville, Virginia ; June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, Vir- 
ginia. 

148. Johnston, Henry, Private, H, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

149. Jones, Edward P., Private, H, July 3, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

150. Jones, GenVo-e T., Private, H, ^May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 



1056 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

l")!. Kreamer, Gideon, Private, A, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 
ginia. 

152, Kline, David, Private, B, June 22, 1864, Jerusalem Plank 
Read, Virginia. 

15:1 Knight, William, Private, B, Marcli 31, 1865, White Oak 
Road, Virginia. 

154. Kriner, Jacob, Private, B, October 27, 1864, Boydton Plank 

Road, Virginia. 

155. Keyser, Jacob C, Private, B, May 9, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

156. Kreps, David, Private, C, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania. 

157. Kline, Andrew J., Private, C, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

158. Kerr, David L., Corporal, D, j\Iay 3, 1863, Chancellorsvilk, 

Virginia. 

159. Kepler, John M., Private, D, March 31, 1865, White Oak 

Road, Virginia. 

160. Keys, David S., Private, D, May 3, 1863, Ohancellorsville, 

Virginia. 
Kil. Kooney, James A., Private, D, no data. 

162. Kenly, John, Second Lieutenant, E, May 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia. 

163. King, Erastus, Private, E, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

164. Ketner, Lot E., Sergeant, G, August 16, 1864, Deep Bottom, 

Virginia. 

165. Iveller, Daniel S., Corporal, G, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

166. Knopf, Anthony, Corporal, G, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia : April — , 1865, Adams Run, Virginia. 

167. Koon, George, Private, G, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia ; 

October 27, 1864, Ft. Gregg, Virginia. 

168. Kellerman, William H., Private, H, May 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia; October 27, 1864, Fort Crater, Virginia. 

169. Kelly, Robert J., Private, H., May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

170. Kissinger, Robert, Sergeant, I, no data. 

171. Kirkpatrick, Ross C, Corporal, K, May 3, 1863, Ohancellors- 

ville, Virginia; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

172. Kranss, Enos, Private, K, May 12, 1864, Spotsvlvania Court 

House, Virginia. 

173. Krotzor, David A., Private, K, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

174. K'ifcr, Andrew J., Private, K, May 2, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 



THE i48rH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1057 

it:). Leitzell, Georgo \V., Sergeant, A, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 
Pennsylvania; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

176. Linibert, Frederick, Corporal, A, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

177. Long, Daniel, Private, A, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, Vir- 

ginia. 

178. Lilly, Jacob, Private, B, March 31, 1865, White Oak Road, 

Virginia. 

179. Lowry, Chris'tian, Corporal, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 
ISO. Lambert, William, Private, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 
Virginia. 

181. Lee, Joseph, Private, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, Vir- 

ginia. 

182. Lansberry, S. P., Sergeant, D, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

183. Law Charleo M, Sergeant, E, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vii- 

ginia. 

184. Luckhart, David F., Private, E, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg. 

Pennsylvania. 

185. Luckhart, Thomas R., Private, E, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

186. Lucas, John D., Private, F, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania. 

187. Lytle, Isaac, Captain, G, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania Court 

House, Virginia. 

188. Lucas, Matthew B., Corporal, H, May 3, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

189. Long, George H., Private, 11, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

190. Lucas. William J. Private, 11, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia; May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania Court House, Vir- 
ginia. 

191. Ix)werv, Irwin, Private, H, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

192. I^bkeeher, Michael, Private, H, :May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia, 

193. Lape, Joseph, Private, H, :N[ay 10, 186-1, Po River, Virginia. 

194. Lyle, Reulien, Private, I, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, Vir- 

ginia ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

195. :McBath, Thomas, Private, C, August 14, 1864, Deep Bottom, 

Virginia. 

196. McEhvee, Thomas, Private, E, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

197. :McIvinley, Jeremiah, Private, F, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania- 



1058 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

198. McCool, David, Private, G, May 10, 1864, Po Kiver, Virginia. 

199. .Mcllhatten, David D., Private, G, May 10, 1804, Po Paver, 

Virginia. 

200. McKinney, William, Private, H, June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, 

Virginia. 

201. McManagle, James, Private, H, no data; transferred to Vet- 

eran Reserve Corps. 

202. Mnffly, Joseph W., Adjutant Field and StaiT, July 2, 1863, 

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania ; May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 
ginia; August 25, 1864, Reams Station, Virginia. 

203. Miller, John A., First Sergeant, A, no data. 

204. Miller, Henry, Sergeant, A, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

205. Meyer, Henry, Corporal A, May 3, 1863, Cliancellorsville, 

Virginia; May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

206. Meyer, William C, Private, A, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

207. Moore, Alfred C, Sergeant, B, March 31, 1865, White Oak 

Road, Virginia, 

208. Matz, Fabian, Private, C, March 31, 1865, White Oak Road, 

Virginia. 

209. Morey, William R., Private, C, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

210. Mosier, William, Private, C, May 10,. 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

211. Miller, Daniel, Private, A, June 17, 1864, Petersburg, Vir- 

ginia. 

212. Moorehead, Joseph H., Sergeant, E, June 4, 1864, Cold Har- 

bor, Virginia. 

213. Milliron, John, Corporal, E, August 25, 1864, Reams Station, 

Virginia. 

214. ]\reekens, John, Private, E, June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, Vir- 

ginia. 

215. Miller, George, Private, E, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania. 

216. Miller, Jacob W., Private, E, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir 

ginia. 

217. Mills, John, Private, F, August 25, 1864, Reams Station, 

Virginia. 

218. May, Francis M., Private, G, June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, Vir- 

ginia; April — 1865, Adams Run, Virginia, 
210. ]\riller, David W., Private, G, May 3, 1863, Cliancellorsville, 

Virginia; at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. 
220. Mover, John H,, Private, G, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virsrinia. 



"1 

1 



THE 14STH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1059 

221. Murphy, Adams T., Private, G, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

222. Marks, Isaiah W., Private, G, May la, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

223. Miles, Richard, Corporal, H, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

224. Moore, John W., Private, H, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

225. Myton, Thomas W., Private, H, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia. 

226. Moore, Hiram G., Private, H, June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, 

Virginia. 
22Y. Montgomery, W. F., Private H, August 25, 1864, Reams Sta- 
tion, Virginia. 

228. Meyer, Samuel W., Private, H, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

229. Mortimer, William S., First Lieutenant, K, July 2, 1863, 

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania ; June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, 
Virginia. 

230. Meyers, John, Private, K, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania Court 

House, Virginia. 

231. Milligan, William, Private, K, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

232. Merley, Samuel, Private, K, October 27, 1864, Fort Crater. 

233. N'orthrop, Fanton L., Private, A, May 14, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court Housie, Virginia; transferred to Veteran Reserv«; 
Corps. 

234. IS^ieman, George H., Corporal, H, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

235. Otto, Israel, Private, A, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Pennsyl- 

vania; June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, Virginia; April 2, 
1865, Sutherland Station, Virginia. 

236. Osman, Lemuel H., Private, C, June 3, 1864, Cold TIarbot, 

Virginia. 

237. Orris, Samuel IL, Private, H, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

238. Parkes, John, Private A, June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor. Vir- 

ginia. 

239. Pennington, Henry, Private, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia; May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

240. Ports, John W., Private, A, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

241. Peiters, William B., Private, B, May 4, 1864, Wilflernes', 

Virginia. 

242. Potter, Samuel L., Private, D, no data. 



1060 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

243. Phillip, Josiah, Private, E, August 18, 1864, Deep Bottom, 

Virginia. 
2-14. Pilson, Samuel^ Private, E, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

245. Plieli», William P., Sergeant, F, M^ay 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia. 

246. Parker, William A., Private, F, August 2.5, 1864, Reams Sta- 

tion, Virginia. 

247. Perry, William, Private, F, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania. 

248. Pennington, John, Private, F, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

249. Patterson, James J., Captain, G, June 16, 1864, Petersburg, 

Virginia. 

250. Patterson, Robert H., First Sergeant, G, July 2, 1863, Gettys- 

burg, Pennsylvania; June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, Vir- 
ginia. 

251. Pittman, William, Private, G, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

252. Phillips, Henry, Private, H, August 16, 1864, Deep Bottom, 

Virginia. 

253. Pearson, William, Private, H, June 17, 1864, Petersburg, 

Virginia. 

254. Plyler, Edward, Private, I, no data. 

255. Polliard, David, Private, K, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

256. Pettit, Oliver W., Private, K, May 30, 1864, Totopotomoy 

Creek, Virginia. 

257. Quick, Thomas, Private, B, June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, Vir- 

ginia. 

258. Rossman, David, Corporal, A, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia; June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, Virginia. 

259. Royer, Thomas E., Corporal, A, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia; transferred to Veteran Reserve 
Corps. 

260. Rupp, George M., Corporal, A, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania; May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania Court House, 
Virginia; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

261. Rosen Ixjrry, Franklin, Private, A, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

262. Roof, John, Private, A, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

263. Ray, James, Corporal, C, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

264. Roish', Daniel K., Private, C, May 3, 1863, Chaneellorsville, 

Virginia. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1061 

265. Ehinehart, Alfred A., Captain, D, May 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia. 

266. Rote, John C, Corporal, D, October 14, 1863, Auburn Mills, 

Virginia; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

267. Runkle, Charles D., Private, D, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

268. Reed, William A., Private, D, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia, 

269. Reeser, Jacob, Private, D, July 3, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania; at Spotsylvania, May 18, 1864. 

270. Richards, Vincent, Corporal, E, May 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia. 

271. Raybuck, Emanuel, Private, E, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania, 

272. Rhodes, Malchia, Private, E, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

273. Roland, John G., Private, E, August 25, 1864, Reams Station, 

Virginia. 

274. Rager, Samuel J., Private, G, June 17, 1864, in front of 

Petersburg, Virginia; October 26, 1864. 

275. Reed, Reuben, Private, G, July 3, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania; May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania Court House, 
Virginia; August 25, 1864, Reams Station, Virginia. 

276. Reel, Samuel, Private, G, August 25, 1864, Reams Station, 

Virginia. 

277. Ross, Alexander B., Private, G, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

278. Ross, Matthew M., Private, H, June 17, 1864, Petersburg, 

Virginia. 

279. Rathf. n. John M., Private, K, May 3, 1863, Chancedlorsville, 

Virginia ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

280. Reynolds Stem, Private, K, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia ; August 25, 1864, Reams Station, 
Virginia. 

281. Spangler, Simon M., First Lieutenant, A, May 12, 1864, 

Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia. 

282. Sloan, Isaac N., Sergeant Major, Field and Staff, May 12, 

1864, Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia. 

283. Sixes, Josiah, Private, A, June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, Vir- 

ginia. 

284. Swyers, David H., First Lieutenant, B, May 9. 1864, Po 

River, Virginia; March 31, 1865, White Oak Road, 
Virginia. 

285. Searson,^ Edwin, Corporal, B, July 3, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania, twice; June 6, 1864, Cold Harlwr, Virginia. 



1062 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

286. Swartz, Christian, Corporal, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

287. Sherwood, James, Private, C, October 27, 1864, Boydton 

Plank Road, Virginia. 

288. Shivery, David W., Private, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

289. Smythe, William, Private, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 
2!»0. Sowers, John C, Private, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 
Virginia ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

291. Sowers, Henry A., Private, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

292. Swiler, Christian, Private, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

293. Speaker, Charles F., Corporal, D, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia; May 30, 1864, Totopotomoy Creek, Vir- 
ginia; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

294. Stover, Thaddens D., Private, D, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia. 

295. Smith, Charles J., Private, D, no data. 

296. Stiill, Jacob, Private, D, no data. 

297. Shirk, Joseph, Private, D, no data. 

298. Swisher, Peter, Private, D, no data. 

299. Suttle, William, Private, D, no data. 

300. Stewart, Charles, Captain, E, May 2, 1863, Chancellorsvillo, 

Virginia. 
SOI. Sntton, John R, Captain E, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 
sylvania. 

302. Sprankle, Peter D., First Lieutenant, E, October 27, 1864, 

Fort Crater, Virginia. 

303. Sntton, James M., Second Lieutenant, E, May 10, 1864, Po 

River, Virginia. 

304. Smith, Daniel W., Sergeant, E, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

305. Sutter, Daniel R., Corporal, E, October 27, 1864, Ft. Crater, 

Virginia. 

306. Shilling,' Samuel, Private, E, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania. 

307. Sloppy, Philip, Private, E, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

308. Smith, David, Private, E, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania. 

309. Snyder, John, Private, E, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

310. Speedy, Joseph C, Private, 'E, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1065 

311. Strayer, Jacob M. R., Private, E, August 25, 1864, Reams 

Station, Virginia. 

312. String-fellow, J. W., Corporal, F, May 10, lSG-1, Po River, 

Virginia; Aug-ust 25, 1801, Reams Station, Virginia. 
313 Speclit, David, Private, F, !ALay 12, 1864, Six>tsylvania Court 
House, Virginia. 

314. Sentraan, Josieph, Private, F, March 31, 1865, White Oak 

Road, Virginia, 

315. Smith, Philip T. B., Private, F, Petersburg, Viri2,inia, June 

18, 1864. 

316. Stuart, John W., Second Lieutenant, G, May 10, 1864, Po 

River, Virginia. 

317. Singleton, Thomas, Private, G, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

318. Stover, David, Private, G, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

319. Sanders, Darius L., Sergeant, H, May 10, 1861 Po River, 

Virginia. 

320. Spotts, Jacob, Private, H, M^ay 3, 1863, Ohancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

321. Stiner, David, Private, H, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia; May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

322. Shultz, William H., Private, H, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania; May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania Court Ilou^e, 
Virginia. 

323. Sweetwood, Isaac, Private, H, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania. 

324. Stonebraker, Jeremiah, Private, H, March 31, 1865, White 

Oak Road, Virginia. 

325. Smith, Alfred, Private, H, June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, Vir- 

ginia; June 17, 1864, front of Petersburg, Virginia. 

326. Steese, James A., Private, H, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

327. Stonebraker, Valentine, Private, H, May 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia. 

328. Stuck, Christian, Private, H, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

329. Saner, Abraham, Private, T, no data. 

330. Smith, William H. H., Private, T, June 5, 1864, Cold Harbor, 

Virginia. 

331. Sloan, Samuel H., Corporal, K, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

332. Schwartzfager, Henry, Corporal, K, May 10, 1864, Po River. 

Virginia. 

333. Tate, Eli P., Private, C, March 31, 1865, White Oak Road, 

Virginia. 



1064 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

334. Thomas, John, Private, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, Vir- 

ginia ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

335. Transue, Harvey H., Private, E, May 13, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

336. Taylor, William L., First Sergeant, G, May 3, 1863, Chan; 

cellorsville, Virginia. 

337. Thompson, James A., Private, G, July 3, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

338. Try, Samuel, Private, I, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania. 

339. Vanvalin, Oliver W., Corporal, B, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

340. Venada, Simon, Corporal, D, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

341. Vansickle, Joseph, Private, D, November 3, 1863. 

342. Vancile, Peter, Private, E, June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, Vir- 

ginia. 

343. Weaver, James F., Lieutenant Colonel, May 9, 1864, Po 

River, Virginia. 

344. Weaver, Daniel, Sergeant, A, August 14, 1864, Deep Bottom. 

Virginia. 

345. Weiriek, Thomas G., Private, A, June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, 

Virginia. 

346. Weiser, 'Charles W., Private, A, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

347. Whipple, Augustus B., Private, A, June 3, 1864, Cold Har- 

bor, Virginia. 

348. Webb, Jacob D., Private, A, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

349. Wile, Philip, Private, A, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virpnia. 
?50. Wolf, William, Private, A, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 
ginia; June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, Virginia. 

351. Watkins, Benjamin F., Private, B, May 12, 1864, Spotsyl- 

vania Court House, Virginia. 

352. Walker, George W., Private, B, May 9, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia ; March 31, 1865, White Oak Road, Virginia. 

353. Walker, l\l:itlnns, Private, B, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

354. Williams, Thomas, Private, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

355. Wauee, David IT., Private, D, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

356. Wolf. David K, Private, D, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 



THE i48rH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1065 

357. Wells, James K., Private, E, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania. 

358. Wynkoop, John S., Private, E, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

359. Went, George W., Corporal, G, August 15, 1864, Deep Bot- 

tom, Virginia. 

360. Wagner, John D., Corporal, II, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

361. Whippo, Charles O., Private, H, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia. 

362. Woodring, Daniel W., Private, H, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Virginia, three times. 

363. Wilson, George A., Private, II, May 12, 1864, Siwtsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

364. Wadding, Eobert M., Private, 1, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

365. Ward, John, Second Lieutenant, 1\, October 14, 1863, Auhurn 

Mills, Virginia. 

366. Walters, George G., Corporal, K, August 25, 1864, Reams Stii- 

tion, Virginia. 

367. Woods, Lebbeus B., Private, K, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

368. Wentzel, Henry W., Private, K, June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, 

Virginia. 

369. Wiant, George F., Private, K, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

370. Wasser, Melcher, Private, K, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

371. Wiant, William, Private, K, May 3, 1863, Ohancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

372. Wiant, Abraham C, Private, K, May 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia, and June 16, 1864, Petersburg, Virginia ; 
transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

373. Yocum, Frederick, First Sergeant, C, May 12, 1864, Spotsyl- 

vania Court House, Virginia. 

374. Yetters, Joseph, Private, C, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsvillo, 

Virginia ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

375. Young, David IT., Private, D, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, 

Virginia. 

376. Youts, John E., Private, G, May 3, 1863, Chancellorsvillo, 

Virginia ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 

377. Zerby, Andrew. Private. A, June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, Vir- 

ginia. 

378. Zimmerman, Benjamin, Private, H, May 3, 1863, Chancellors- 

ville, Vira^inia ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. 



1066 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

379. Zeigenfuss, William, Private, K, May 12, 1S64, Siwtsvlvaiiirv 
("ourt House, Virginia. 

PRISONEKS OF WAR. 

1. Animeniian, John Thompson, Private, B, August 25, 1864:, 

Reams Station, Virginia. 

2. Alvord, James, Private, D, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania Court 

House, Virginia. 

3. Anderson, William K., Private, K, May 2r), 1864, Xorth 

Anna, \'^irginia. 

4. Bayard, George Adams, Major Field and Start", June 22, 1864, 

Jerusalem Plank Road, Virginia. 

5. Bierly, Wesley W., First Lieutenant, A, June 2 , 1864, Je- 

rusalem Plank Road, Virginia. 

6. Butler, Sidney .1., Private, A, June 3, 1864, Cold Harbor, 

Virginia. 

7. Boob, Nathaniel, Private, A, August 25, 1864, Reams Station, 

Virginia. 

8. Biddle, John W., Private, B, June 16, 1864, in front of 

Petersburg, Virginia. 

9. Baker, Benjamin F., Private, B, no details. 

10. Brower, James R., Private, B, June 22, 1864, Petersburg, 

Virginia. 

11. Burdic, Sylvester, Private, D, ]\[ay 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

12. Boyer, John, Private, E, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania ; also June 22, 1864, Petersburg, Virginia. 

13. Bush, Emanuel, Private, E, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania Court 

House, Virginia. 

14. Beans, Nathan E., Private, G, June 16, 1864, Petersburg, 

Virginia. 

15. Bowers, John, Private, G, August 25, 1864, Reams Station. 

Virginia. 

16. Brisbin, Price T)., Private, G, June 22, 1864, Petersburg, 

Virginia. 
IT. Barr, Hugh A., Private, I, no details. 
IS. Gorman, George, Corpora], A, July 2, 1863. Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

19. Carner, James, Private, C, near Petersburg, Virginia, Fort 

Crater, Oetol>er 27, 1864. 

20. Cooney, John, Private, F, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

21. Carey, Henry, Sergeant, T, June 4, 1864. 

22. Cochran, James, Private, I, August 25, 1864, Reams Station, 

Virginia. 
28. Carnathan, Hugh, Private, K. ^Fay 3, 1863, Cliaiuvllorsville. 
Virginia. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLFANU VOLUNTEERS 1067 

24. Davis, Thomas 11., Private, D, August 25, 18G4, Eeams Sta- 

tion, Virginia, 

25. Dent, James G., Private, F, May, 1863, Chancellorsville, Vir- 

ginia. 

26. Deibler, Lewis, Corporal, I, no details. 

27. Derr, Jacob, Private, K, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

28. Deihl, Josiali, Private, K, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania Court 

House, Virginia. 

29. Doney, George, Private, Iv, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania Court 

House, Virginia. 

30. Eitters, David, Private, D, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania Court 

House, Virginia. 

31. Fairlamb, George Aslibridge, Lieutenant Colonel Field and 

Staff, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania Court House. 

32. Frederick, Leonard, Private, B, no details. 

33. Fleming, Jamies E., Private, F, no details. 

34. Funk, John T., Private, H, June 17, 1864, Petersburg, Vir- 

ginia. 

35. Fackender, John, Corporal, K, October 27, 1864, near F(U-i 

Morton, Virginia. 

36. Gettig, Samuel R., Corporal, A, August 25, 1864, Reams Sta- 

tion, Virginia. 

37. Grim, Adam, Private, A, August 25, 1864, Reams Statioii, 

Virginia. 

38. LIurto, Charles F., Private, B, June 22, 1864, Jenisalem 

Plank Road, Virginia. 

39. Hines, James, Private, B, August 25, 1864, Roams Station, 

Virginia. 
-10. Horner, Cyrus, Private, B, no data. 

41. Heiligstein, Sieg-fried, Private, C, no data. 

42. Harner, Jacob, Private, D, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

43. Harman, John S., Private, E, June 22, 1864, Petersbur:^, 

Virginia. 

44. Havener, Christ C, Private, F, August 25, 1864, Roams Sta- 

tion, Virginia. 
15. Henrv, James, Private, F, no data. 

46. Harpster, Joseph L., Corporal, G, May 12, 1864, Spotsyl- 

vania Court House, Virginia. 

47. Hill, Sylvester, Corporal, H,' Ootobor 27, 1864, Potorsbnrg, 

Virginia. 

48. Hudsell,' Dennis, Private, IT, June 22, 1864, Jerusalem Plank 

Road, Virginia. 

49. Huey, Robert, Private. Tv, May 3, 1863. Chancollorsville. Vir- 

ginia. 



1068 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

50. Jordon, Thomas^ Sergeant, H, June 17, 1864, Petersburg, 

Virginia. 

51. Kraemer, Jesse, Private, A, October 27, 1864, Ft. Crater^ 

Petersburg, Virginia. 

52. Keeler, William, Private, B, August 25, 1864, Reams Station, 

Virginia. 

53. Keyser, Jacob C, Private, B, May 9, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

54. Keely, Oliver F., Private, B, no data. 

55. Kline, Andrew J., Private, C, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

56. Kroh, Elias R., Private, E, August 25, 1864, Reams Station, 

Virginia. 

57. Klinger, Ephriam, Corporal, H, May 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia. 

58. Knickenbracken, C, Private, H, June 22, 1864, Jerusalem 

Plank Road, Virginia. 

59. Long, Jesse, Private, A, August 25, 1864, Reams Station, 

Virginia. 

60. Long, Daniel, Private, A, June 22, 1864, Petersburg, Vir- 

ginia. 

61. Lucas, George W., Sergeant, B, June 16, 1864, Petersburg, 

Virginia. 

62. Leonard, Frederick, Private, B, died in prison. 

63. Lord, Albert, Private, F, August 25, 1864, Reams Station, 

Virginia. 

64. Lucas, Matthew B., Corporal, LI, no data. 

65. Lintaman, Josiah, Private, K, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

66. McFaddon, Montgomery, Private, E, August 25, 1864, Reams 

Station, Virginia. 

67. MclS^oldy, James F., Sergeant, K, August 25, 1864, Reams 

Station, Virginia. 

68. McCoiTuiek, Jones, Private, K, August 25, 1864, Reaoas 

Station, Virginia. 
60. Meyer, Thomas P., Sergeant, A, October 14, 1863, Auburn 
Mills, Virginia. 

70. Maze, Israel. Private, A, June 7, 1864, Worth Anna, Virginia. 

71. Mayes, T^wis, Private, C, October 27, 1864, Ft. Crater^ Vir- 

ginia. 

72. ^lilliron, John, Corporal, E, August 25, 1864, Reams Station, 

Virginia. 

73. Milliron, William, Private, E, August 25, 1864, Reams Sta- 

tion, Virginia. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1069 

Y4. Miller,^ EJi R., Private, E, August 25, 1864, Reams Station, 
Virginia, 

75. Miller,^ William, Private, F, August 25, 1864, Reams Station, 

Virginia. 

76. Miller, Herman K., Sergeant, H, June 17, 18G4, Petersburg, 

Virginia. 

77. Montgomer)^, W. P., Private, H, August 25, 1864, Reams Sta- 

tion, Virginia. 

78. Mattson, David, Private, I, no data. 

79. Montier, Stewart H., Private, I, August 25, 1864, Reams Sta- 

tion, Virginia. 

80. Miller, Andrew J., Private, K, August 25, 1864, Reams Sta- 

tion, Virginia. 

81. Merley, Samuel, Private, K, Octol>er 27, 1864, Fort Crater, 

Virginia. 

82. Onstead, Godfrey, Private, B, no data. 

83. Oberlin, William P., Private, E, March 31, 1865, Gravelly 

Rim, Virginia. 

84. Parkes, John, Private, A, October 27, 1864, Ft. Crater, Vir- 

ginia. 

85. Potter, Benjamin, Private, I, no date. 

86. Rhoads, Jacob R., Private, C, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

87. Riffle, Abraham, Private, C, August 25, 1864, Reams Station, 

Virginia. 

88. Refsnyder, John C, Private, D, May 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia. 

89. Reeser, Jacob, Private, D, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

90. Richards, Vincent, Corporal, E, May 10, 1864, Po River, 

Virginia. 

91. Rising, Joseph, Private, E, October 27, 1864, Fort Crater, 

Virginia. 

92. Roland, John G., Private, E, August 25, 1864, Reams Station, 

Virginia. 

93. Rumbarger, John H., Private, G, June 16, 1864, Petersburg, 

Virginia. 

94. Rager, Samuel J., Private, G, October 26, 1864. 

95. Rumbaugh, Jacob B., Corporal, I, August 25, 1864, Reams 

Station, Virginia. 

96. Ransom, Han'ison, Private, 1, no data. 

97. Randolph, James, Private, K, August 25, 1864, Reams Sta- 

tion, Virginia. 

98. Reese, DanieC Private, K, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

99. Rothermel, Abram, Private, K, August 25, 1864, Reams Sta- 

tion, Virginia. 



1 070 TfiE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

UK). Slnaii, Isaac N., Sergeant Major Field and Staff, May 12, 
1864, Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia. 

101. Shields^ Patterson M., Private, C, June 10, 1864, Petersburg, 

Virginia. 

102. Spranlde, Peter D., First Lieutenant, E, October 27, 1864, 

Fort Crater, Virginia. 

103. Shall, John B., Private, E, August 25, 1864, Reams Station, 

Virginia. 

104. Shilling Samuel, Private, E, August 25, 1864, Reams Sta- 

tion, Virginia. 

105. Sloppy, Philip, Private, E, May 10, 1864, Po River, Vir- 

ginia. 

106. Snyder, John, Private, E, May 10, 1864, Po River, Virginia. 

107. Stamm, David E., Private, E, August 25, 1864, Reams Sta- 

tion, Virginia. 

108. Staggers, James L., Private, E, August 25, 1864, Reams Sta- 

tion, Virginia. 

109. Steftey, William O., Private, F, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

110. Starliper, William V., Private, G, June 22, 1864, near Peters- 

burg, Virginia. 

111. Shoemaker, Dias, Private, G, May 12, 1864, Spotsyl- 

vania Court House, Virginia. 

112. Snyder, William, Corporal, H, June 22, 1864, Jerusalem 

Plank Road, Virginia. 

113. Sanders, Sylvester, Corporal, IT, June 22, 1864, Jerusaleni 

Plank Road, Virginia. 

114. Stuck, (Miristian, Private, H, May 12, 1864, Spotsylvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

115. Snyder, Alexander, Private, I, no data. 

116. Stahlman, Lewis K., Private, I, no data. 

117. Shaffer, Lavinus W., Private, K, May 30, 1861, Totopotomoy 

Creek, Virginia, 
lis. Trontman, Martin, Private, A, October 27, 1864, Fort Crater, 
Virginia. 

119. Thompson, Robert P., Private, E, August 25, 1864, Reams 

Station, Virginia. 

120. Wolf, dias. A., Private, A, August 25, 1864, Reams Station. 

Virginia. 

121. Walker, William, Private, B, no data. 

122. Welch, George D., Private, E, August 25, 1864, Reams Sta- 

tion, Virginia. 

123. Welch, John, Private, F, no data. 

124. Wingard, William, Private, G, August 25, 1864, Reams Sta- 

tion, Vircfinia. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLTANIA VOLUNTEERS 1071 

125. Ward, William, Sergeant, II, Juno 18, 1864, Petersburg, 

Virginia. 
120. Williams, John, Privatei, 11, October 27, 1864, Fort Crater, 

Virginia. 

127. Wilcox, Isaac, C, Private, A, May 12, 1864, S[X)tsylvania 

Court ll'ouso, Virginia. 

128. Willougliby, Elijali, Private, 1, no data. 

129. Woods, Lebbens B., Private, K, May 12, 1864, Spotsvlvania 

Court House, Virginia. 

130. Wasser, Melcher, Private, K, Gettysburg, Penn- 

sylvania. 

131. Yeager, Samuiel, Private, B, no data. 

132. Yarlett, George W., Private, G, August, 25, 1864, Reams Sta- 

tion, Virginia. 

133. Zimmerman, Benjamin, Private, B, no data. 

DIED. 

1. Allen, Jobn Wesley, Assistant Surgeon, Field and Staff, died 

at Altoona, Pennsylvania. 

2. Ammerman, John Thompson, Private, B, died at Anderson- 

ville, Georgia, February 19, 1865. (Burial Records: 
died at Salisbury, Nortii Carolina, February 7, 1865. 

3. Alvord, James, Private, I), died at Richmond, Virginia, July 

15, 1864. 

4. Abott, James, Private, D, died near Stevensburg, Virginia, 

December 10, 1863. 

5. Aden, James, Private, E, died at Morrisville, Virginia, Aug- 

ust 17, 1863; buried in National Cemetery, Arlington, 
Virginia, Block 2, Section E, Row 11, Grave 83. 

6. Andrews, Jacob B., Private, G, died San Jose, California. 

December 11, 1890 ; Ijuried in soldieTs' plot in c/eanetcn' 
there. 

7. Anthony, Ge^orge N., Private, I, no details. 

8. Bayard, George Adams, Major, Field and Staff, killed at 

Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1903. 

9. Bierly, James B., Private, A, died near Falmouth, Virginia. 

Februaiy 24, 1863 ; buried at Madisonburg, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

10. Boob, Levi, Private, A, died Augnist 26, 1867, by accident; 

buried at Hartleton, Pennsylvania. 

11. Bi-esslor. David, Private, A, buried near Penn Hail, Penn- 

sylvania. 
• 12. Butler, Sidney J., Private, A, died at Andersonville, Georgia, 
July 22,"^ 1864; Grave 3808. 
13. Barr, Samuel L., First Sergeant, B, died at Bellefonte, Penn- 
sylvania. 



1072 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

14. Beerly, Nathaniel, Musician, B, died at Milesburg, Penn- 

sylvania, December 2, 1902. 

15. Beerly, .Mesnlam, Private, B, died at Falmoutli, Virginia, 

Pebriiarj 8, 1868. 

16. Beiinet, George, Private, B, died at York, Pennsylvania, 

March 23, 1863; buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery. 

17. Bear, Jacob, Private, B, died near Stevensburg, Virginia, 

March 21, 1864; buried in National Cemetery, Culpeper 
Court House, Virginia, Block 1, Section A, Row 12, 
Grave 412. 

18. Brubaker, Emanuel, Private, B, died at Washington, D. C, 

June 20, 1864; buried in National Cemetery, Arlington, 
Virginia. 
l',». Brubaker, Jacob, , D, Tiffin, Ohio, no data. 

20. Baker, Benjamin F., Private, B, died at Andersonville, 

Georgia, October 27, 1864; grave 11566. 

21. Brower, James R., Private, B, died at Andersonville, Georgia, 

October 18, 1864. 

22. Beck, David, , C, Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, 1879. 

23. Benner, John F., Captain, C, died in California, November, 

1902. 

24. Bathurst,_ Lawrence B., Musician, C, died since War. 

25. Baker, D. Webster, Private, C, died at Plattsville, Illinois, 

January 1, 1903. 

26. Bailey, Isaac, Private, C, died since the War. 

27. Barmoy, John, , F, since the War. 

28. Bathgate, Jno. C, Corporal, D, no details. 

29. Bell, Archibald M., Private, D, died at Washington, D. C, 

October 17, 1863. 

30. Bohn, George W., Private, D, died Januaiy 12, 1864. 

31. Burdic, Sylvester, Private, D, died at Andersonville, 

Georgia, August 12, 1864. 

32. Boyer, Elias, , F, since the War. 

33. Boyer, John, Private, E, died since the War. 

34. Breon, Jacob, Captain, F, died Altoona, Pennsylvania, April 

21, 1901. 

35. Berger, Jacob J., Private, F, died at Baltimore, Maryland, 

November 28, 1864. 

36. Beans, Nathan E., Private, G, killed accidentally in Clear- 

field County, Pennsylvania. 

37. Blackburn, Robert, , II, Ichersburg, Pennsylvania, Julv 

25, 1904. 

38. Bowers, John, Private, G, reported as died in prison. 

39. Brady, Washington, G., Corporal, II, died at Fallen Tinilx^r. 

Cambria Coimty, Pennsylvania ; buried there. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1075 

40. Bullei*, Samuel, Private, 11, died at Bellefoiite, Pennsylvania, 

buried in cemetery there. 

41. Brown, Orlando H., Second Lieutenant, I, died since the War. 

42. Bailey, Eli, Private, I, died since the War. 

43. Banghart, John, Private, I, died since the War. 

44. Barr, Emory J., Private, 1, died at Potomac Creek, Virginia, 

April 16, 1863. 

45. Barr, Hugh A., Private, I, died at Salisbury, North Caro- 

lina, November 26, 1864. 

46. Barr, William H., Private, I, died at Washington, D. C, 

June 15, 1863; buried in Military Asylum Cemetery. 

47. Boyd, William C, Private, I, died at Falmouth, Virginia, 

June 7, 1863. 

48. Buzzard, John S., Private, I, died since the War. 

49. Boarts, Phillip, Private, K, died at Washington, D. C, Feb- 

ruary 15, 1864; buried Military Asylum Cemetery. 

50. Brown, GeorgB W., Private, C, died at Philipsburg, Pennsyl- 

vania, August 20, 1904. 

51. Bartley, John, Private, K, no details. 

52. Berkley, Jacob J., Private, K, died at Stevensburg, Virginia. 

December 30, 1863. 

53. Crouse, Henry, Corporal, A, died December 22, 1899; buried 

at Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania. 

54. Conser, Henry G, Private, A, died at Valley Falls, Kansas, 

May, 1900. 

55. Campbell, Patrick, Corporal, C, died since the War. 

56. earner, James, Private, C, died at Salisbury, North Carolina, 

November 24, 1864. 

57. Camer, William, Private, C, died since the War. 

58. Carson, William, Private, C, died since die War. 

59. Carter, Jacob L., Private, C, died sincie the War. 

60. Cline, John A., Private, C, died at Anderson vi lie, Georgia, 

December 8, 1862. 

61. Cross, Allen B., Sergeant, D, died since the War. 

62. Campbell, Henry C, Sergeant, D, died August 2, 1904, at 

State College, Pennsylvania. 

63. Carter, William A., Private, D, died near Pine Grove, Penn- 

sylvania. 

64. Close, Able, Private, D, died at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 

July 14, 1864. 

65. Clarke, William T., First Lieutenant, E, died since the War. 

66. Cochran, Isaac G., Private, E, died since the War. 

67. Crissman, Eobert J., Corporal, E, Punxsutawney, Pennsyl- 

vania, September 17, 1904. 



1074 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

08. Crvster, Amos, Private, E, died in Hospital at York, Penn- 

sylvania, Febrnarj 3, 1863. 

09. C'rider, Solomon, Private, F, died at Cockeysville, Maryland, 

October 6, 1862. 

70. Condo, Charles M., Private, G, drowned in the Gunpowder 

Creek, September 21, 1862. 

71. Condo, Daniel, Private, G, died at Spring Hills, Pennsyl- 

vania, February 11, 1869. 

72. Condo, Jared, Blaeksniith, G, murdered by ijrisonei"^ Jiily 

29, 1904, while in line of duty as turnkey in Bellefonto, 
Pennsylvania, jail. 

73. Gassady, Robert, Private, H, died at , Missouri. 

74. Cochran, James, Private, I, no details ; died since the War. 

75. Crate, Philip S., Private, I, no details ; died since bhe War. 

76. Carson, John E., Corporal, K, died at Point Lookout, Mary- 

land, June 18, 1863. 

77. Coursin, Abraham P., Musician, K, died , 1901. 

78. Clover, John C, Private, K, no details. 

79. Corbett, Munson, Private, K, died at Falmouth, Virginia. 

December 28, 1862. 

80. Davis, Uriah Q., Surgeon, Field and Staff, killed at Milton, 

Pennsylvania, in railroad accident. 

81. J)avidson, William J. J., Corporal, B, died at Potomac Creek 

Hospital, Virginia, May 2, 1863. 

82. Deneen, Henn- S., Private, B, died near Stevensburg, Vir- 

ginia, April 21, 1864; Burial Records, April 12, 1864; 
buried in i^ational Cemetery, Culpeper, Virginia, Block 
1, Section A, Row 7, Grave 211. 

83. Divelbiss, Jacob H., , D, in ]>rison during War. 

84. Dresher, James J., Private, D, died since the War. 

85. Driver, Daniel P., Private, E, died on United States Trans- 

port on James River, April 12, 1864. 

86. Dunlap, Alexander R., Private, E, died since the War. 

87. I>olan, Martin, Captain, F, died since the War. 

88 Dunlap, Charles, Private, F, died at Stevensburg, \'irginia 
January 4, 1864. 

89. Davidson, William, Sergeant, I, died since the War. 

90. Deibler, Lewis, Corporal, I, killed at Salisbury, IvTorth Car- 

olina, while a prisoner of war, November 26, 1864. 

91. Douglass, Alexander, Corporal, I, died since the War. 

92. Dennis, Alonzo, Private, I, died at Washington, D. C, July 

7, 1864; buried in National Cemetery, Arlington, Vir- 
ginia. 

93. Dotts, Henry H., Second Lieutenant, K, died 1000. 
01. Diveus, Anthony. Cori>r>ral, TC, no details. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1075 

95. Divens, David, Private, K, died at New York Augiist 8, 1864 ; 

buried Cypress Hill Cemetery, Long Island. 

96. Divens, William II., Private, K, no details. 

97. Divens, James P., Private, K, died 1901. 

98. Doney, George, Private, K, died at Andersonville, Georgia, 

December 1, 1864; Grave No. 6568. 

99. Erhard, Amos, Cor^x^ral, A, died at 1897 ; buried at 

Scalp Level, Pennsylvania. 

100. Edleman, Elias, l*rivate, A, no data. 

101. Edmiston, William A., Private, B, died at Fillmore, Penn- 

sylvania. 

102. Eddy, Washington, D., Private, D, died at Washington, D. 

'C, April 7, 1864. 

103. Elliott, Oliver W., Private, D, died at Washington, D. C, 

April 27, 1864. 

104. Earnest, Joseph, Corporal, I, no data. 

105. Forster, Robert Henry, Major Field and Staff, died at Harris- 

burg, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1901. 

106. Fisher, Calvin P. W., Assistant Surgeon Field and Staff, died 

at Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. 

107. Fisher, Jacob A.'J April 19, 1904. 

lOS. Furney, Nelson, Private, A, died at Washington, D. C, No- 
vember 24, 1864 ; buried at Arlington, Virginia. 

109. Flick, Jacob, Private, B, no details. 

no. Frederick, Leonard, Private, B, died at Andersonville, 
Georgia, August 26, 1864 ; Grave 6884. 

111. Freed, Abraham, Private, C, died near Falmouth, Virginia, 

January 10, 1863. 

112. Fortney, John H., Private, D, died at Tyrone, Pennsylvania, 

April 3, 1887. 

113. Fox, Emanuel, Private, D, died at Falmouth, Virginia, Jan- 

uary 28, 1863. 

114. Fisher, William, Private, E, died at Cockeysville, Maryland, 

October 10, 1862. 

115. Fleming, James E., Private, F, died at Salisbury', Nortii Caro- 

lina, January 18, 1863. 

116. Freeman, David C., Second Lieutenant, F, since the War. 

117. Fox, Joseph, First Lieutenant, G, killed at Bellefonte, Penn- 

sylvania. 

118. Fugat'e, John A. J., Second Lieaitenant, H, died at Reynolds- 

ville, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, 1900; buried at 
Revnoldsville, Pennsylvania. 

119. Funk, John T., Private,' H, died in prison at Salisbury, 

North Carolina, date uiikno-\\Ti. 



1076 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

120. Flick, John, Private, K, died at Windmill Point, Virginia, 

January 30, 1863. 

121. Garrett, Griffith, Private, A, died at Falmouth, Virginia, May 

11, 1863. 

122. Guiser, Matthew, Private, A, died July 23, 1904, Kinmundy, 

Illinois. 

123. Gilbert, Samuel, Private, A, no details. 

124. Grove, Martin, Private, A, died near Falmouth, Virginia, 

February lY, 1863. 

125. Graham, William E., Captain, C, died in Minnesota, 1902. 

126. Gates, George, Private', C, died since the War. 

127. Gates, Daniel, Private, C, died near Falmouth, Virginia, 

April 4, 1863. 

128. Gable, William, Private, D, died at Cockeysville, Maryland, 

November 14, 1862. 

129. Gettis, Robert, Corporal, E, died near Falmouth, Virginia, 

February 29, 1863. 

130. Gearhart, David, Private, E, died since the War. 

131. Gearhart, Samuel R., Private, E, died June Y, 1864, at York, 

Pennsylvania, of disease. 

132. Glenn, George, Corporal, G, buried at Spring Creek Cemetery. 

133. Gibb, Alexander, Second Lieutenant, H, died at New York 

City ; buried near New York. 

134. Gahagan, John W., Private, H, died at New York City; bur- 

ied there. 

135. Gephart, Thomas, Private, H, died at Camp Hancock, Vir- 

ginia, March 6, 1863 ; buried at Zion Church Yard, 
Centre County, Pennsylvania. 

136. Galey, James J., Private, I, died at Annapolis, Maryland, 

October 23, 1864. 

137. Garbon, James, Private, I, no date, died since the War. 

138. Guile, Grin, Private, I, no date, died since the War. 

139. Harper, William, Sergeant, A, died February, 1901 ; buried 

at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. 

140. Harper, Simon, Private, A, died August, 1900; buried at 

Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. 

141. Held, Charles H., Private, A; buried at Millheim, Penn- 

sylvania. 

142. Harper, William D., Captain, B, died at Renova, Pennsyl- 

vania, December 15, 1890 ; buried at North Bend. 

143. Huston, George R., Sergeant, B, died at Gibbs, Adair County, 

Missouri, March 16, 1904. 

144. Hines, James, Private, B, died at Andersonville, Georgia, 

February 27, 1865; Burial Record December 9, 1864, 
Salisbury, North Carolina. 



i 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1077 

145. Horner, Cyrus, Private, B, died at Andersonville, Georgia, 

February 2Y, 1865. 

146. Heiligstein, Siegfried, Private, C, died at Andersonville, 

Georgia, December 8, 1864. 

147. Holloway, Daniel C, Private, D, died at Aaronsburg, Penn- 

sylvania; sinoe the War. 

148. Hallowell, Joseph, Cor^wral, E, died since the War. 

149. Harmon, Jo'hn, Private, E, died at Washington, D. C, Feb- 

ruary 11, 1863; Burial Kecord April 30, 1863; buried 
in Military Asylum Cemetery. 
3 50. Hallet, Inman A., Private, F, died since the War. 

151. Henry, James, Private, F, died January 1, 1865, while a pris- 

oner of war. 

152. Hollingsworth, Isaac, Private, F, died at Falmouth, Virginia, 

April 1, 1863. 

153. Howard, John W., , F, since the War. 

154. Holahan, William C, Sergeant, G, died at Renova, Penn- 

sylvania. 

155. Henney, David H., Sergeant, G, died at Potters Mills, Penn- 

sylvania; buried at Spruceto^vn, Pennsylvania. 

156. Housel, Benjamin, Private, G, buried at Belief onte, Penn- 

sylvania. 

157. Hill, Sylvester, Corporal, H, died January 1, 1865, while 

prisoner of war. 

158. Haines, George, Private, H, died near Howard, Centre Coun- 

ty, Pennsylvania ; buried there. 

159. Harp, Andrew, , I, Akron, Ohio, September 14, 1901. 

160. Haugh, Augustus, Private, T, died at Falmouth, Virginia, 

February 19, 1863. 

161. Homer, George, Private, I, no data; died sinoe the War. 

162. Hillis, David M., Private, I, no data; died since the War. 

163. Hull, Benjamin F., Private, 1, no data; died since the War. 

1 64. Harp, Andrew, Private, I, died since the War. 

165. Henry, Henry H., First Sergeant, K, died February, 1902. 

166. Huey, Pobert, Private, K, no data. 

167. Harriger, John, Private, K, no data. 

168. Iddings, Joseph, Private, B, died at Runville, Pennsylvania. 
160. Trwin, T^ewis H., Private, E, died September 18, 1864, in 

hospital, Washington, D. C. 

170. Irvin, James B., Corporal, G, died January 4. 1803: buried 

at Steffies, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. 

171. Johnstou, Tra, Private, F, died at Washington, D. C, Feb- 

ruary 19, 1865 ; buried in Military Asylum Cemetery. 

172. Jacobs. Wiliam A., Corporal. G. buried at Centre Hall. Penn- 

sylvania. 



] 078 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

173. Jordon, Thomas, Sergeant, li, died at Andersonville, Georgiti, 

Octobei- 24r, 1864; Grave 11430. 

174. Jolmstoii, John, Private, II, died at Milesburg, Centre Coun- 

ty, Pennsylvania. 

175. Jones, David B., Private, II, died at Alexandria, Virginia, 

March 30, 1864; buried in National Cemeterv, Grave 
194. 

176. Kurtz, John G., Quartermaster Field and Staff, died at Mil- 

ton, Pennsylvania. 

177. Kreamer, Gideini, Private, A, buried at Rebersburg, Penn- 

sylvania. 

178. Krape, Samuel, Private, A, died at Falmouth, Virginia. 

April 14, 1863. 

179. Ki-eps, William H., Private, B, no data. 

180. Kline, David, Private, B, died at Julian, Pennsylvania. 

181. Kevser, Jacob C, Private, B, died at Richmond, Virginia, 

July 24, 1864. 

182. Keeler, Jose]>h, Private, B, died at Falmouth, Virginia, April 

4, 1863; buried at Roland, Pennsylvania. 

183. Killinger, Abraham, Private, B, died at Washington, D. C, 

September 16, 1863; buried Military Asylum Cemetery. 
Is4. Keely, Oliver F., Private, B, died at Andersonville, Georgia, 

August 6, 1864, Grave 4895. 
185. Kreps, David, Private, C, died since the War. 
186." Kline, Andrew J., Private, C, died at Annapolis, Maryland. 

October 4, 1864. 

187. Koeh, Jacob, Corporal, D, no date. 

188. Koi^h, Tasker K., Private, D, died at York, Pennsylvania, 

June 1, 1863. 

189. Kenly, John, Second Lieutenant, E, died since the War. 

190. Kramer, Benjamin F., Private, E, Burial Records, died at 

Beverly, New Jersey, September 29, 1864. 

191. Keller, Daniel S., Corporal, G, died at Bellefonte, Pennsyl- 

vania. 

192. Kelly, Saanuel, Private, G, 'buried at Sprucetown, Centre 

County, Pennsylvania. 

193. Klinger, Ephraim, Cor|>oral, H, died at Salisbury, Nortli 

Carolina, while prisoner of war. 

194. Kelly, Rdhert J., Private, H, died near Port Matilda ; buried 

in Williams Cemetery, near Martha. 

195. K('ll(M-iii:ni, William II., Private, PI, died at Milesburg, Centre 

(^^unty, Pennsylvania; buried there. 

196. Knuckbraeken, C, Private, II, died at Petersburg, Virginia. 

September 16, 1864; buried there. 

197. Kuipjx^nlx'rg, Ilirani, Private, IT, no data. 



THE i48rH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1079 

198. Kissinger, Robert, Sergeajit, J, died since the War. 

1!»1». Kerr, Manasses, Private, 1, no data; died since the War. 

I'OO. Kirkpatriek, Ross C, Corporal, K, no data; died since the 
War. 

201. Lipton, Robert, Adjutant Field and Staff, died at Milesburg, 

202. Lanieli, Henry, Private, A, buried Loganton, Pennsylvania. 

203. Loose, George S., Private, A, died at Potomac Creek Hospi- 

tal, Virginia, June 7, 1863. 

204. Long, Daniel, Private, A, died at Charleston, South Carolina, 

March, 1865. 

205. Like, John B., First Sergeant, B, died at York, Pennsylvania, 

December 16, 1862; buried at Milesburg, Penns^dvania. 

206. Lambert, William, Private, C, died since tlie War. 

207. Lee Josei^h, Private, C, died since the War. 

208. Lyman, Aim 'N., Private, C, died near Stevensburg, Virginia, 

April 10, 1864. 

209. I^itzel, Emanuel, Private, D, died at Cockeysville, Maryland, 

December 12, 1862. 

210. Leitzel, Jacob, Private, D, died at Woodward, Pennsylvania, 

December, 1862. 

211. Long, Joseph, Private, E, died January 5, 1864, at Douglass 

Hospital, Wasliington, D. C, from amputation of leg, 
buried National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. 

212. Lytle, Isaac, Captain, G, died in Xew Jersey; buried at Har- 

risburg, Pennsylvania. 

213. Lucas, Matthew B., Corporal, IT, killed by Confederates while 

prisoner of war. 

214. Lanks, Stephen I^., Private, H, died January 9, 1864. 

215. Lambert, Osborn, Private, H, died at Bcllefonte, Pennsyl- 

vania. 

216. Lucas, William J., Private, IL died at Harrisburg, Penusyl- 

vania. 

217. Lebkecher, Michael, Private, H, died at Bellefonte, Penn 

sylvania; buried in cemetery near Unionville, Centre 
County, Pennsylvania. 

218. Tx>ve, Peter P., Private, 1, no data; died since tJie War. 

219. Lee, John A., Musician, K, died at Falmouth, Virginia, March 

15, 1863. 

220. McFarlane, Robert, Lieutenant Colonel Field and Staff, died 

at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. 

221. ^McGarvey, Charles, Private, B, no data. 

222. McTvason, John, Private, C, died at Falmouth, Virginia, 

March 17, 1863. 

223. McTntyre, Spencer, Private, IT, died at Philadelphia. Penti- 

sylvania. 



1080 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

224. McMaiiagle, James, Private, 11, no data; died siuoe the War. 

225. McKinuey, Anthony, Private, K, died 1901. 

226. McBride, William, Private, Iv, no data. 

227. Mayes, William H., Hospital Steward Field and Staff, died 

since the War. 

228. Miller, John A., First Sergeant, A, died May 14, 1900; 

buried at Millheim, Pennsylvania. 

229. Maze, Israel, Private, A, died at Andersonville, Georgia, Sep- 

tember 22, 1864. 

230. Matz, Fabian, Private, 0, died since the War. 

231. Musser, Andrew, Captain, D, died at Potomac Creek Hos- 

pital, Virginia, May 14, 1863. 

232. Musser, Israel F., First Lieutenant, D, died at Potomac 

Creek Hospital, Virginia, May 26, 1863. 

233. Miller, Daniel, Corporal, A, died at Washington August 8, 

1864; buried at Arlington, Virginia. 

234. Miller, Daniel, Private, D, died on his ^vay home. 

235. Miles, Eichard, Corporal, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 1902. 

236. Moore, David, Private, D, died April 11, 1864. 

237. Mabon, John L., Sergeant, E, died since the War. 

238. Milliron, William, Private, E, no data. 

239. Miller, William, Private, F, died at McAlevey's Fort, 1899. 

240. Martz, David, Private, F, died at Milton, Pennsylvania, No- 

vember 12, 1864. 

241. Mitchell, William, Private, G, buried at Waterstreet, Hunt- 

ingdon County, Pennsylvania. 

242. Meyer, John, Private, G, buried at Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. 

243. Musser, Daniel G., Private, G, died at Camp Hancock, Vir- 

ginia, January 11, 1863 ; buried at Pine Grove Mills, 
Pennsylvania. 

244. Montgomery, W. W., Corporal, H, died near Howard, Centre 

County, Pennsylvania. 

245. Makin, Adam, Private, H, died Marcli 28, 1864, in Division 

Hospital. 

246. Miller, Abraham, Private, H, died March 28, 1864, in Har- 

wood Hospital, Washington, D. C. ; buried in Military 
Asylum Cemetery, Washington, D. C, 

247. Montgomery, W. F., Private, H, died at Salisbury, North 

Carolina, December 10, 1864, while a prisoner of war. 

248. Marlin, Silas J., Captain, I, died at Brookville, Pennsylvania. 

since the War. 

249. Mapes, Henry, Priviate, 1, no data; died since the War. 

250. Mattson, David, Private, T, died at Petersburg, Virginia, Juno 

30, 1864 

251. Moore, Harrison, Private, T, no data; died since the War. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1081 

252. Moore, Jackson, Private, 1, died at Philadelphia, Pennsyl- 

vania, Augnst 6, 1865. 

253. Montier, Stewart II., Private, J, died at Salisbury, \orth 

Carolina, January 13, 1865. 

254. Myers, John, Private, K, no data. 

255. Merley, Samuel, Private, K, no data. 

256. Neil, Robert C, Private, C, died since the War. 

257. jSTichols, Samuel, Private, C, died since the War. 

258. Newcomb, William S, Private, E, died in Hospital at Fal- 

mouth, Virginia, January 5, 1863. 

259. Newcomer, John P., Private, II, died in Burnside Township, 

Centre Coimty, Pennsylvania. 

260. Neil, John D., Private, K, no data. 

261. Nulph, Abraham W., Private, K, no data. 

262. Otto, Samuel D., Principal Musician Field and StalT, no data. 

263. Otto, Israel, Private, A, no data. 

264. Onstead, Godfrey, Private, B, died at Andersonville, Georgia. 

265. Odenkirk, John II., Corjwral, D, died at Potters Fort, Penn- 

sylvania. 

266. Oberlin, William P., Private, E, died since the War. 

267. Olswals. David, Private, F, died at Falmouth, Virginia, April 

3, 1863. 

268. Oliver, William, Private, H, no data. 

269. O'Connor, William, Private, I, no data; died since the War. 

270. Oursler, Eobert, Private, I, no data; died since the War. 

271. Orr, William, J., Private, T, died at Cockeysville, Maryland, 

October 26, 1862. 

272. Parsons, Wilson J., Private, B, died February 23, 1865 ; 

buried in Poplar Grove Cemetery, Petersburg. Virginia, 
Division C, Section D, Grave 105. 

273. Peters, John, Private, B, died near Morrisville, Virginia, 

August 17, 1863. 

274. Pennington, Henry, Private, C, died since the War. 

275. Polsgrove, George'W., Private, C, died near Stevensburg, Vir- 

ginia, December 31, 1863. 

276. Polsgrove, George, D, Brandy Station, 1863-64. 

277. Pringle, William, Private, E, died August 24, 1864, on trans- 

port; buried in Cypress Hill Cemetery, Long Island. 

278. Perry. William, . F, since the War. 

279. Proudfoot, John B., , F, since the War. 

280. Page, Reuben, Private, G, died 1003 ; buried at Linden Hnll, 

Pennsylvania. 

281. Pennington, John , F, since the War. 

282. Plyler, Edward, Private. I, no data; died since the War. 



1082 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

2S'6. Potter, Benjaiiiiu, Private, 1, died at Andersonville, Georgia, 
January 18, 1865 ; Grave 12-179. 

264. Pettit, Oliver W., Private, K, uo data. 

28o. Pysher, William E., Private, K, no data. 

28U. Pupp, George M., Cor^wral, A, buried at Aaronsburg, Penn- 
sylvania. 

267. Pousb, J. E., Private, A, no data. 

288. Rii'bards, Armor, Private, B, died at Pbiladelphia, Pennsyl- 

vania, A'ovember 17, 1804. 

289. Kobinson, John G., Corporal, C, died at Boalsburg, Pennsyl- 

vania. 
29U. Pay, James, Cor^wral, C, died since the War. 

291. Eeisb, Daniel K., Private, C, died May 4, 1809. 

292. Rover, Henry, Private, C, died at Washington, D. C, June 

30, 1863. 

293. Poyer, James M., Corjxn-al, G, died Eebruary 7, 1888 ; buried 

at Pebersburg, Pennsylvania. 

294. Rankin, Alfred A., Private, D, died at Bellefonte, Pennsyl- 

vania, 1878. 

295. Reed, William A., Private, D, died at Reedsville, Pennsyl- 

vania, 1903. 

296. Roland, George W., Corporal, E, died at York, Pennsyl- 

vania, December 21, 1802 ; buried in Prospect Hill Cem- 
etery. 

297. Roland, Jacob, Corporal, E, died since the War. 

298. Raybuck, Emanuel, Private, E, died September 15, 1890. 

299. Roland, John G., Private, E, died February 0, 1805, at Salis- 

bury, North Carolina. 

300. Rager, Samuel J., Private, G, no date; died in prison. 

301. Rt^d, ReuU'n, Private, G, died February 10, 1901; buried 

at Pine Grove ^lills, Pennsylvania. 

302. Riley, John T., Private, G, buried at Binningham, Pennsyl- 

vania. 

303. Rankin, John K. M., Private, H, died at Alexandria, Vii- 

ginia, July 1, 1863; buried in National Cemetery, Alex- 
andria, Virginia, Grave 872. 

304. Ransom, Harrison, Private, T, died at Andersonville, Georgia, 

July 17, 1864; Grave 3468. 

305. Rogers, William, Private, I, no data ; died since the War. 

306. Randolph, James, Private, K, no data. 

307. Reese, Daniel, Private, K, died at Andersonville, Georgia, 

August 25, 1864; Grave 6838. 

308. Re^Tlolds, Stern, Private, K, no data. 

309. Rothermel, Abram, Private, K, died at Salisbury, North 

Carolina, Xovembor 7, 1864. 



THE i48rH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1083 

310. Stevens, William H^my, Chaplain Field and Staff, died 

Shelby, Iowa, June 10, 1901; buried Three Springs, 
Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. 

311. Sloan, Isaac X., Sergeant Major Field and Staff, died Lar 

caster, Pennsylvania. 

312. Shaffer, Daniel E., Second Lieutenant, A, died at Madison- 

burg, Pennsylvania, September 12, 1864. 

313. Strayer, Levi, Corporal, A, died January 17, 1903; burie<^. 

at Rebersburg, Pennsylvania. 

314. Shaffer, Daniel, Corjx)ral, A, died near Falmouth, Virginia, 

March 6, 1863; buried at Madisonburg, Pennsylvania. 

315. Smith, Levi IL, Private, A, buried at Mifflinburg, Peim- 

sylvania. 

316. Stover, Simon, Private, A, died at Falmouth, Virginia, April 

9, 1863 ; buried at Rebersburg, Pennsylvania. 

317. Stevens, John S., Private, A, died at Stcvensburg, Virginia, 

March 17, 1864. 

318. Swyers, David H., First Lieutenant, B, died at Milesburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

319. Shultz, Jacob, Private, B, died at Bellefonte, Pennsvlvania. 

320. Strait, Isaac, Private, B, died in Fulton County, Pennsyl- 

vania. 

321. Sailor, Benjamin, Private, B, died at Cockeysville, Maryland, 

October 27, 1862 ; buried at Poland, Pennsylvania. 

322. Shroyer, James, Private, B, died at Cockeysville, Maryland. 

December 3, 1862. 

323. Stone, William, Private, B, died at Falmoutli, Virginia, Feb- 

ruary 6, 1863. 

324. Schroyer, William, Private, B, died at Potomac Creek Hospi- 

tal, Virginia, May 29, 1863. 

325. Shaffer, John, Private, B, died at Washington, D. C, March 

1, 1865 ; buried in ISTational Cemeteiy, Arlington, Vir- 
ginia. 

326. Shuey. Daniel, First Lieutenant, C, died since the War. 

327. Smith, David, , C, McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, no 

date. 

328. Suders, John, , C, McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, no 

data. 

329. Swiler, Christian, Private, C, die<l since the War. 
Shannon, Samuel, Private, D, killed by accident at Carlisle, 

Pennsylvania, January 5, 1865. 

330. Sutton, James M., Second Lieutenant, F. died since the War. 

331. Sloppy, Philij), Private, F, died at Richmond, Virginia, De- 

cember 7, 1864, while a prisoner of war. 



1084 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

332. Snvder, John, Private, E, died at Richmond, Virginia, De- 

cember 7, 1864, while a prisoner of war. 

333. Staggers, James L., Private, E, died at Salisbury, Xorth 

Carolina, December 17, 1S64, while a prisoner of war. 

334. Sutton, Joseph L., Private, E, died May 25. 1S63. in Division 

Hospital, Falmouth, Virginia. 

335. Shaeffer, Daniel. Private, F, died at Potters Mills, Penn- 

sylvania, April 9, 1863. 

336. Steffev, William O., Private, F, died at Richmond, Virginia, 

January 17, 1864. 

337. Shires, David W., Private, G, died December 14, 1862; 

buried at Sprucetown, Pennsylvania. 

338. Snyder, Jacob, Corporal, H, died in Finley Hospital, Wash- 

ington, D. C, July 1, 1863 : buried in Military Asylum 
Cemetery, Washington, D. C. 

339. Snyder, William, Corporal, H, died at Salisbury, Xorth Caro- 

lina, date and grave unknown. 

340. Sanders, Sylvester, Corporal, H, died at Camp Parole, Annap- 

olis, Maryland : buried at Annapolis, Marvland. 

341. Sanders, Thomas, , H. Howard, Pennsylvania, March 

1903. 

342. Spotts, Jacob, Private, H, died near Martha, Centre County, 

Pennsylvania, and buried there. 

343. Sanders. Thomas B., Private. H, died near Howard, Centrc 

County, Pennsylvania, 1902. 

344. Sweetwood, Amos, Private, H, died near Falmouth, Virginia, 

April 1, 1863 ; buried at Sprucetown, Centre County. 
Pennsylvania. 

345. Stonebraker. Valentine, Private, H, died near Olivia, Blair 

County, Pennsylvania ; buried there. 

346. Stonebraker, Jeremiah, , H, at Bald Eagle Furnace, 

Olivia, Pennsylvania. 

347. Stuck, Christian, Private, H, died at Camp Parole, Annapolis, 

Maryland, Xovember 15, 1864 : buried there. 

348. Sage, Edward M., Private, I, no data; died since the War. 

349. Scandrett, Benjamin F., Private, T, no data; died ainoe the 

War. 

350. Shannon, Peter, Private, I, no data; died since the War. 

351. Shuster, John H. H., Private. I, no data : died since the War 

352. Stahlman, John, Private, T, no data; died since the War. 

353. Snyder, Alexander, Private, I, died at Andersonville, Georgia. 

September 23, 1«64: Grave 0567. 

354. Schwartzfager, Henry, Corporal, K, no data. 

355. Stewart, John, Private, K, no data. 

356. Slagle. W. L., Private. K, no data. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1085 

357. Sloan, William J. M., Private, K, died at Morrisville, Vir- 

ginia, September 9, 1863. 

358. Switzer, John, Private, K, died at Stevensburg, Virginia, 

February 26, 1864. 

359. Troutman, Martin, Private, A, died at Salisbury, North 

Carolina, November 22, 1864, while a prisoner. 

360. Thomas, John, Private, C, died since the War. 

361. Thomas, J. E., First Lieutenant, D, died at Pinegrove Mills, 

Pennsylvania, 1872. 
302. Thompson, Eobert P., Private, E, died at Salisbury, North 
Carolina, December 8, 1864, while a prisoner. 

363. Thompson. Joseph, Y., Private, I, no data; died since the 

War. 

364. Try, Samuel, Private, I, no data. 

365. Tsehopp, Bennival, Private, K, no data. 

366. Thomas, Christian, Private, K, died at Stevensburg, Virginia, 

January 7, 1864. 

367. Vamcr. James. Private, G, no data. 

368. Van Houter, John, Private, G, no data, 

369. Wolf, Simon S., First Lieutenant, A, died January 1, 1875 ; 

buried at Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. 

370. Weaver, James F.. Colonel, August 13, 1904, Milesburg, 

Pennsylvania. 

371. Woodling, Philip. Musician, A, died April 9, 1863 ; buried at 

Rebersburs:, Pennsvlvania. 

372. Wolf, Charles A.. Private. A, died February 9, 1865, Salis- 

bury, North Carolina. 

373. Wolf, Henry, Private, A, died near Falmouth. Virginia, Ma\ 

28, 1863 ; buried at Rebersburg, Pennsylvania. 

374. Wolf, Samuel, Private, A, died at Falmouth, Virginia, Feb- 

ruarv 22, 1863. 

375. Watkins. "Benjamin F., Private, B, died at Snow Shoe, Penn- 

sylvania. 

376. Wolf," Henry, Private, B, died near Stevensburg, Virginia, 

April 16, 1864: buried in National Cemetery, Culf^per 
Court House, Virginia, Block 1, Section A, Row 7, Grave 
215. 

377. Walker, William, Private, B, died at Andersonville, (Jeorgia, 

October 12. 1864: Grave 10797. 

378. Walker. Matthias. Private, B. died at ;N[ilesburg. Pennsyl- 

vania, December 4, 1864. 

379. Wertz, Abraham, Corporal, C, died since the War. 

380. Williams. Thomas, Private, C, died since the War. 

381. Weaver, Honvy H.. Private, D. died at Aaronsburg, Pennsyl- 

vania, 1903. 



1086 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

3S2I. Wagner, John D., Corj>oral ; died at Martha, Centre County, 
Pennsylvania; buried Williams Cemetery. 

383. Williams, George, , D, Tiffin, Ohio, about 1898. 

384. Wolf, Jonathan E., Private, D, died at Falmouth, Virginia, 

May 12, 1863. 

385. Wells, Isaiah L., Corporal, E, died at Philadelphia, Pennsyl- 

vania, June 5, 1864. 

386. Wilkins, 'William B., Corporal, E, died since the War. 

387. Weamer, John S., W^agoner, E, died at Cockeysville, Mary- 

land, Kovember 30, 1862. 

388. Welch, George D., Private, E, died at Salisbury, North Caro- 

lina, February 6, 1865, while a prisoner. 

389. Welch, Ixnvis A., Private, E, died February 19, 1902. 

390. Whitacre, Daniel C, Private, E, died July 7, 1863, at Gen- 

eral Hospital, Alexandria, Virginia; Burial Records, 
June 28,1863; Grave 866. 

391. AVilson, William P., Captain, F, Lieutenant Colonel United 

States Army August 6, 1886. 

392. W^elch, John, Private, F, died at Salisbury, ISTorth Carolina, 

January 17, 1864, while a prisoner. 

393. Watson, Washington, , F, since the War. 

394. Williams, Williain W., Private, G, died I^ovember 11, 1864, 

of disease ; buried at Spring Creek Cemetery. 

395. Wingard, William, Private, G, died in Andersonville Prison. 

Georgia. 

396. Wyland, Samuel B., Sergeant, H, died at Bellefonte, Penn 

sylvania; buried there. 

397. Ward, William, Sergeant, II, died at Millen, Georgia, Decem- 

ber 1, 1864; gTave unknown. 

398. Whippo, Charles O., Private, H, died ; buried at 

Fort Matilda, Centre Coimty, Pennsylvania. 

399. Williams, John, Private, H, died at Salisbury, North Caro- 

lina, February 15, 1865, while a prisoner; buried there, 
grave unknown. 

400. Watkins, Marcus, Private, I, died Washington, D. C, Ma_\ 

9, 1864 ; buried Military Asylum Cemetery. 

401. AVhite, William, Private, T, died at Falmouth, Virginia, June 

14, 1863. 

402. Whiteman, F. M., Privaite, I, no data ; died since the War. 

403. Willoughby, Elijah, Private, I, died at Andersonville, Georgia, 

August 4, 1864; Grave 4702. 

404. Wilson, Sebastian C, Private, I, no data ; died since the War. 

405. Wood, William P., Private, I, no data; died since the Wa*-. 

406. Wasser, Melcher, Private, K, no data ; died since the War. 

407. Wiant, Henry C, Private, K, no data. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1087 

408. Wianr, Abraham C, Private, K, no data. 

409. Woods, John, Private, X, died at Stevensburg, N'irgiiiia. 

March 8, 1864; buried at Culi^eper ^N'ational Cemetery, 
Bloek 1, Section A, Row 4, Grave 119. 

410. Yeager, Samuel, Private, B, died at Andersonville, Georgia, 

February 27, 1865. 

411. Yocum, Frederick, First Sergeant, C, died at Phili^wburg, 

Pennsylvania, since the War. 

412. Yarlett, George W., Private, G, died at Andersonville Prison. 

Georgia, 

413. Y^oung, John T., Private, G, buried at Altoona, Pemisylvania. 

414. Yager, William, Musician, H, no data. 

415. Zimmerman, Benjamin, Private, B, died at Anders<mvillc, 

Georgia, July 29, 1864; Grave 4255. 

416. Zimmerman, Benjamin, Private, II, buried at Pine Glen, 

Centre County, Pennsylvania. 



BOLL OF THF SURVIVORS OF THE 14STII REGIMENT, 
PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS, SO FAR AS KNOWN, 
WITH THEIR PRESENT POST OFFICE ADDRESSES, 
SO FAR AS THEY CAN BE ASCERTAINED. 

NAME. COMPANY. P. O. ADDRESS. 

Albert Adams C . . . . 

Charles Allen B Sauk Centre, Minn. 

Henry C. Allen G Altoona, Pa. 

Allen S. Ammerman B West Decatur, Pa. 

R. W. Ammerman B McAllisterville, Pa. 

Christopher Armagost. . . .K Reynoldsvillo, Pa. 

Joseph Arthurs I Sigel, Pa. 

William Bailey G Stormstown, Pa. 

John F. Baird K Brinkerton, Pa. 

George K. Baker G Downs, Kas. 

William Baney F Philipsbnrg, Pa. 

Constans C. Barger B Roland, Pa. 

James Barger B Roland, Pa. 

William Barlet K Brinkerton, Pa. 

Clarence T. Barr E Iving&ton, N. M. 

Simeon Bathurst F Roland, Pa. 

George Baughman E Sprankle ^Mills, Pa. 

Daniel H. Baumgardner. .H Brookville, Pa. 

James A. Beaver Field Bellefonte, Pa. 

Benjamin Beck A Wolf's Stoi-e, Pa. 



1 088 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

NAME COMPANY. F. O. ADDRESS. 

David Behers F Eenore, Pa. 

( harles ]iier]v A Kobcrsburg-, Pa. 

John W. Biddle B Fleming, Pa. 

Solomon Bierly A Seligman, Mo. 

George Billet B Lamar, Pa. 

George M. Boal D Centre Hall, Pa. 

Nathaniel Boob A. . . . • . MilHinburg, Pa. 

Henry A. Bottorf G Downs, Kan. 

W. L. Bottorf G . .Canton, O. 

Daniel Bower A. . . . • .Ivote, Pa. 

Michael Bower D Ethiighan), 111. 

Adam Boyer A Abilene, Kansas. 

Jacob Bracken H Sunimerhill, Pa. 

Jacob Breckbill A Altoona, Pa. 

B. D. Brisbin G Centre Hall, Pa. 

Austin K. Browcr B Watkins, Minn. 

Philij) B. Bruwer B VVingate, Pa. 

J. Z. Brown K New Bethlehem, Pa. 

Nathaniel Brown D Fanners Mills, Pa. 

Uriah K. Brown H Johnstown, Pa. 

Samuel Bryan B Roland, Pa. 

John A. Ihirchfield 1) Williamsburg, Pa. 

E. J. Burkert A 1G09 Barry Ave., Chicago, 111. 

Peter Burkct E. . . • .Penfield, Pa. 

David Burrell F Spring Mills, Pa. 

W)illiani Byors E. . . . • .Indiana, Pa. 

Iliram Carl K Turbotville, Pa. 

Pobt. A. Cassidy. Field and Staff. .Canton, O. 

Harrison Catts I. . . . • . Clarington, Pa. 

Henry Clingenberger . . . .E. . . . • .Indiana, Pa. 

William H Close H O^ak Hall Station, Pa. 

Tx?wis Cobbs I . . . . . . Brookville, Pa. 

John Coble C • • Linden Hall, Pa. 

John Confer F • .White Cloud, Kan. 

Dennis Conner K. . . . • .Clarion, Pa. 

George W. Constable. . . . .H- • • • • ••^>00 Ohio St., Johnstown, Pa. 

Wallace Coon I. . . . • .Brookville, Pa. 

Andrew M. Corbin C. . . . Hiram, Pa. 

George Corman A. . . . • • Freoport, 111. 

James T. Corman A Pobershurg, Pa. 

Abram S. Courson X Curlaville, Pa. 

John Craig C Julian, Pa. 

David Ti. Crick K Bennett, Pa. 

John A. Crissman H TiOck Haven, Pa. 

William L. Campbell. . . .H PunxsutaAvney, Pa. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1089 

NAME. COMPANY. P. O. ADDUESS. 

Owen Culleris K Goheemville, Pa. 

I. S. Davis I Brookville, Pa. 

John Davis G Downs, Kan. 

John M. Davis I Brookville, Pa. 

Josiali Deihl K Watsontown, Pa. 

A. 0. Deininger A llughesville, Pa. 

John W. Demott I Brookville, Pa. 

Samuel B. Dennis D Shonnan Heights, Tenn. 

Jacob Derr K Millville, Columbia Co., Pa. 

Wm. C. Devinriey. Field and Staff. . Wilkiiisburg, Pa. 
Leonard W. Divolbiss . . . .D Aaronsburg, Pa. 

Thomas Divins . K Brinkerton, Pa. 

Calvin Dixon I Dubois, Pa. 

W. II. Doniworth K Akron, O., Ill) lioswell St. 

.John Donohoe K Crate.s, Clarion Co., Pa. 

B. F. Dunklo G. . . . . . Labta.sburg, O. 

George W. Dunkle F Spring Mills, Pa. 

Jacob Dunkle D Aaronsburg, Pa. 

L. C. Edmonds D ..... . Ford City, Pa. 

James Ellenberger C fulian. Pa. 

Jacob Emerick A. . . . . .Milheim, Pa. 

John M. English F. . . . . . Driftwo(^>d, Pa. 

Sylvester A. English F ..... . Benezette, Pa. 

John Fackender K. . . . . .Reidsburg, Pa. 

Geo. A. Fairlamb. Field and Staff. .Bellefonte, Pa. 

Daniel Farley H. . . . . .Houtzdale, Pa. 

George W. Farnsler H Port Matilda, Pa. 

Edward Faul K Sellersville, Pa. 

J. B. Ferguson K 138 S. 12th St., Lincoln, Nob. 

Henry Fishel B State College, Pa. 

Xelson Flack H Bellefonte, Pa. 

John A. Fleck H Bellefonte, Pa. 

Hbnry Fleisher G Huston, Pa. 

J. J. Fleming D Connellsville, Pa. 

David F. Fortney D Bellefonte, Pa. 

Henry B. Fox K New Bethlehem, Pa. 

Jacob Fox K Pennsburg, Pa. 

Michael Fox F Belleville, Pa. 

Jacob Frantz H Port Matilda, Pa. 

John Freeze H Milesburg, Pa. 

Harmon Friday E Tyrone, Pa. 

Levi H. Fullmer A Rebersburg, Pa. 

Martin C. Funk. . : C Port Matilda, Pa. 

Llewellyn Fulton C Osceola Mills, Pa. 

Robert Fulton H Huntingdon, Pa. 



1090 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

NAME. COMPANY. P. O. ADDRESS. 

W. H. Fulton G Dakota, 111. 

Amos Garbrick C . . . . . . Bellefonte, Pa. 

W. H. Garbrick G Tyrone, Pa. 

William Garis F Williamsport, Pa. 

Charles Garrett H Belief onte, Pa. 

Thomas Garrett Et Dorrance, Kan. 

Thomas J. Gates G Mill Creek, Pa. 

Christopher Gearhart I Troutville, Pa. 

William Gemmiil D Allenwood, Pa. 

James F. George K Brookville, Pa. 

Samuel R Gettig A Eebereburg, Pa. 

John Gilbert G . . . . 

Manasses Gilbert A Rebersburg, Pa. 

Moses Gilbert A Wolf's Store, Pa. 

Ge^orge Goodman E. . . . .Tyrone, Pa. 

Robert Grater C 7411 Susquehanna St., Pitts- 
burg, Pa. 

I. J. Grenoble I Gettysburg, Pa. 

Adam Grim A Smithfield, Mo. 

John Grim A Smithfield, Mo. 

Henry Grim D . . . . 

George Groft E Indiana, Pa. 

John W. Haffly A Aaronsburg, Pa. 

George P. Hall B Fleming, Pa. 

Joseph E. Hall . . Field and Staff . . Clatskanie, Ore. 

William M. Hallowell. . . .E Julesburg, Col. . 

Dr. A. T. Hamilton. . . Staft" Lewistown, Pa. 

Johnson Hamilton E Luthersburg, Pa. 

Joseph Hamm K Curlsville, Pa. 

William M. Hanly A Mahalasville, Morgan Co., Ind. 

John H. Harpster G Rajahmundry, India. 

Joseph Harpster G Port Matilda, Pa. 

Wm P. Harpster . Field and Stalt . .Hout£;dale, Pa. 

S. W. Harrington K Kearney, Wyo. 

George W. Harris B Runville, Pa. 

David Harshberger D. . . . ■ . Ilublcrsburg, Pa. 

Jonas Harshberger C. . . . • . Soalp I^vel, Pa. 

Diiiiicl H. Ilarter D Rittman, O. 

John Hartman E Hawthorn, Pa. 

Jacob S. Ilaugh I Brookville, Pa. 

Christ Havener F Clinton Co., Pa. 

Henry Heaton F Yarnell, Pa. 

W. F. Ileberling D Benore, P5. 

Diivid K Henry E Hamilton, Pa. 

Daniel M. Hersh K 421 S. 19th St., Philadelphia. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1091 

NAME. COMPANY. 1'. O. ADDRESS. 

George Hessert K i'rankford, Philadolpbia, Pa. 

Henry Hilligas K Quakertowu, Pa. 

David M. Hillis I Rejnoldsville, Pa. 

Jonathan Hoffner G Cornprobst JNiills, Pa. 

J. B. Holloway D Burbauk, O. 

W. P. Holloway 13 Orangeville, 111. 

Robert Hudson H Philipsburg, Pa. 

Robert Huey K Star City, Ind. 

Wm. C. Huey C North Warren, Pa. 

Thomas J. Hutfman K 440 R. R. St., Blooinsburg, Pa. 

Enoch Hugg B Philipsburg, Pa, 

Francis J. Hunter H Axeniann, i*a. 

James Huston B Tyrone, Pa. 

Lewis W. Ingram. Field and Staff . .Oregon City, Ore. 

W. A. Ishler G Belief on te, Pa. 

John Jackson C Tyrone, Pa. 

W. A. Jacobs F Snow Shoe, Pa. 

Jacob H. Jamison E Big Run, Pa. 

Tillman Jarrett H Three Rivers, Mich. 

D. J. Johnson A Easton, Pa. 

John L. Johnston A Union Leag-ue, Philadelphia. 

J. C. Johnstonbaugh C 703 Talbet Ave., Braddock, Pa. 

Thomas Johnstonbaugh . . . G Clearfield, Pa. 

George T. Jones H Philipsburg, Pa. 

Jared I. Jones - . . . A Hiawatha, Kan. 

J. C. P. Jones B Curwensville, Pa. 

James O. Jordan F Driftwood, Pa. 

W?illiam Keeler B Roland, Pa. 

J. W. Kennedy A LakeC-ity, ^linn. (Enlisted un- 
der name "John Strong.") 

E. D. Kern D . . . . . . Catawissa, Pa. 

David L. Kerr D ..... . Centre Hall, Pa. 

IJvans Keyes K . . . . . . Rimerton, Pa. 

A. J. Kifer K . . . . . . Reidsburg, Pa. 

Aaron Klinefelter A.. . . . . . Altoona, Pa. 

Anthony Knoppf G. . . . . .Oak Hall Station, Pa. 

James Knox C ..... . Fillmore, Pa. 

George Koon G. . . . . .Pleasant Gap, Pa. 

W. B. Krape D . .Bumham, Mifflin Co., Pa. 

Enos S. Krauss K. . . . . .E. Greenville, Pa. 

J. Luther Kreamer D. . . . . .Woodward, Pa. 

Jesse Kreamer A. . . . . .Millheim, Pa. 

David A. Krotzer K. . . . . .Chicora, Pa. 

Luther D. Kurtz D Mifflinburg, Pa. 

Michael Lamy A MiJlheim, Pa. 



1092 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

NAME. COMPANY. P. O. ADDRESS. 

Geo. VV. Laiiich A Dublin, Ind. 

John W. Latiniore K JSTew Bethlehem, Pa. 

Charles M. Law E Markton, P. O., Pa. 

U. C Law E Lyons, Iowa. 

Joseph Lee C Irvona, Clearfield Co., Pa. 

Is a P. Leightley F Yeagertown, Pa. 

Geo. W. Leitzell A Altamont, 111. 

Wm. H. Lightner F Petersburg, Pa. 

Fred Limbert A Aaronsburg, Pa. 

John Lingle F Poe Mills, Pa. 

Wm. M. Lohr B Cove, Md. 

Harrison Long K Coats Grove, Mich. 

Jesse Long A Rebersburg, Pa. 

Wm. Long D Rebersburg, Pa. 

Albert Lord F Cameron, Pa. 

John M. Love I Callensburg, Pa. ; 

Christian Lowry C Buffalo Run, Pa. .• 

J. D. Lucas F Howard, Minn. \ 

John G. Lucas B Sauk Centre, Minn. \ 

Wm. Lucas F Philipsburg, Pa. 

Thos. R. Luckhart E Plumville, Pa. 

Jacob L. Lynn T) . . • ■ Spirit Lake, Iowa. 

Reuben B. Lyle I. . . . • .Brookville, Pa. 

Ephraim Lytle C Benore, Pa. 

Samuel Lytle G State College, Pa. 

Martin H. Mackey F Altoona, Pa. 

Wm. J. Maokey F . . . . • • Altoona, Pa. 

P. M. Magee K. . . . • • Care Tidewater Oil Co., Bay- 

onne, IST. J. 

Lyman E. Mapes I Howe, Pa. 

John Martz G. . . . ■ • Centre Hall, Pa. 

Frank ,G. Mattern D. . . . • • Milesburg, Pa. J 

James I. Mayes C . . . . • ■ Kansas City, jMo., or Kan. " 

John D. Meekans E ..... • Cookport, Pa. 

Leonard Messimer D. . . . • • Penn Hall, Pa. 

Henry Meyer A. . . . • -Rebersburg, Pa. 

Joseph K. Meyer A. . . . • -Rebersburg, Pa. 

Thomas P. Meyer A. . . . ■ • Lock Haven, Pa. 

Andrew J. Miller K. . . . • -New Betlilehem, Pa. 

David L. Miller D • -Pine Grove Mills, Pa. 

David W. Miller G •• Pine Grove Mills, Pa. 

Geo. W. Miller K • -Fairmont, Clarion Co., Pa. M 

Henry Miller A. . . . - • Millheim, Pa. " 

Herman K. Miller H . . . . •■ Bellefonte, Pa. 

Joseph Milligan K Brinkerton, Pa. 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1095 

NAME. COMPANY. F. O. ADDRESS. 

John Milliron E Richardsville, Pa. 

Jolm Mills F Roland, Pa. 

Samuel E. Mitchell B Philipsburg, Pa. 

Joseph Mock A Lock Haven, Pa. 

Morris Mock A Lock Haven, Pa. 

H. H. Montgomery H Belief onte, Pa. 

Alfred C. Moore B Harrisbiirg, Pa. 

Joseph Moorehead E Atwood, Pa. 

Wm. S. Mortimer K Lamartine, Pa. 

J. H. Moyer G Hiawatha, Kan. 

Joseph W. Muffly Staff Des Moines, Iowa. 

Adams T. Murphy G Grampian, Pa. 

Samuel D. Musser Field and Staff . . Scranton, Pa. 

John H. Myers K ..... . Bear Lake, Mich. 

Thomas W. Myton H. ... .Huntingdon, Pa. 

Thomas McBath C ..... . Peterson, Clay Co., Iowa. 

James E. McCartney B. . . . . .Xational Soldiers' Home, Va. 

David W. McClure"! K Baldwin, Pa. 

David McCool G Downs, Kan. 

Jones McCormick K Limestone, Pa. 

David Mcllhatten G Sligo, Pa. 

Thomas McElwee E Plumville, Pa. 

B. F. McGiffen I Topeka, Kan. 

Wm. McKinney FI Snmv Shoe, Pa. 

James F. McNoldy K 711 Sixth Ave., Altoona, Pa. 

Geo. H. Neimaii H Fleming, Pa. 

Henry S. ITolder F Petersburg, Pa. 

Jas. P. Odenkirk . Field and Staff'. . Wan-en sburg, ]\ro. 

Nelson P. O'Conner I Brookville, Pa. 

Samuel H. Orris H Mile^bnrg, Pa. 

Lemuel H. Osman C State College, Pa. 

Wm. Otto A Cochranton, Pa. 

Jas. J. Patterson G Shaver, Boone Co., Ark. 

R. H. Patterson G • .Peru Mills, Pa. 

A. S. Paul C . . . . • .Xorth Yakima, Wash. 

Edward Paul K • • Sellersville, Pa. 

Wm. B. Peters B • .Burtrum, Minn. 

Allison Pilson E Macedonia, 111. 

William Pittman G Mercersburg, Pa. 

David Polliard K Rimersburg, Pa. 

Edward H. Poormau . . . .B Snow^ Shoo, Pa. 

James Poorman B Linden Hall, Pa. 

Geo. G. Pottsgrovc C Philipsburg, Pa. 

Geo. W. Printner K Martin's Ferry, O. 

John Pugh D Gr«y Eagle, Todd Co., Minn. 



1094 THE STORY OF OUR REGIMENT 

NAME. COMPANY. P. O. ADDRESS. 

Thomas Quick B liunville, Pa. 

Eeuben Quillman K East Texas, Pa. 

Clias. A. Kamsey. Field and Staff. .Hillsboro, 111. 

Samuel Ransom I Fisher, Pa. 

Geo. W. Reedy K Redcleffy, Pa. 

John W. Reicliart K. . . . . .Challenge, Pa. 

Samuel T. Reel G • - Tyrone, Pa. 

Geo. M. Reeser D Windber, Pa. 

Henry Reybuck E • - Sprankle Mills, Pa. 

A. A. Rhinehart D. . . . • .Irving, 111. 

Hardman Richards H. . . . • .Dubois, Pa. 

Vinceut Richards E. . . . • .Brookville, Pa. 

Matthias Rider G • .Gatesburg, Pa. 

Joseph Risinger E. . . . • .Indiana, Pa. 

Andrew B. Roan B • .West Decatur, Pa. 

David Ross Q . . Buffalo Run, Pa. 

Wm. D. Ross D ■ .500 K 6th St., Kansas City, 

Kan. 

David Rnssman A. . . . • .Pleasant Gap, Pa. 

John C. Rote D • .Axemann, Pa. 

Daniel Royer G ■ -Valley Falls, Kan. 

Thomas E. Royer A • . Rebersburg, Pa. 

Jacob B. Rumbaugh I. . . . • ■ Chicora, Pa. 

T. C. Rumberger C. . . . • -Philipsburg, Pa. 

Osoar L. Runk H • • Philipsburg, Pa. 

C. D. Runkle D • • Centre Hall, Pa. 

Darius L. Sanders H • -Renova, Pa. 

Edwin Searson B . .Grand Island, Neb. 

James C. Sellers G. . . . . . Sa,wpit, Col. 

L. W. Shafor K. .. Allentown, Pa. 

John B. Shall E. . . . . .Dayton, Pa. 

Jacob Shank H . . Mount Eagle, Pa. 

Samuel Shilling E. . . . . .Ringgold, Pa. 

David W. Shivery C. . . . . .State College, Pa. 

James P. Shoop G. . . . . .Canton, O. 

Wm. H. Shultz H. . . . . . Milesburg, Pa. 

Thos. Singleton G . . Kittanning Point, Pa. 

A. C. Sloan K. ..... 193 Laraliee St., Portland, O 

S. H. Sloan K . . Ashland, O. 

Alfmd Smith H. . . . . . Milesburg, Pa. 

Daniel W. Smith E. . . . . . Johnsonburg, Pa. 

J. W. Smith I Knoxdale, Pa. 

Tx^vi r. Smith E Brookville, Pa. 

Martin Smith X Hazelridge, Tenn. 



« 



THE 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 1095 

NAME. COMPANY. P. O. ADDRESS. 

Itliiel B. Snyder G , Kaibsas. 

Kidbard Snyder I Corsica, Pa. 

Henry Sowers C State College, Pa. 

Jo'hn C. Sowers C State College, Pa. 

Simon M. Spangler A Newton, Kan. 

Obas. F. Speaker D 426 Park Ave., Williamsport, 

Pa. 

1). S. Specht F. . . . . . 110 Spruce St. Lewistown, Pa. 

J. C. Speedy E ..... . Indiana, Pa. 

P. D. Sprankle E Silver Plume, Col. 

Samuel Stair F Newport, P'a. 

Lcnvis 1\. Stalilman I Brookville, Pa. 

J. P. Starliper G Fort London, Pa. 

Wm. V. Starliper G (^hambersburg. Pa. 

G. W. Steffey F , Michigan. 

David Steiner H Buffalo Eun, Pa. 

Geo. Stone B 309 Pine St., Johnstown, Pa. 

John M. Stout K Permsburg, Pa. 

David Stover G Lincoln Centre, Ivan. 

Eli as Stover A Rebersburg, Pa. 

John Y. Stover D Wolf's Store, Pa. 

Thaiddeus D. Stover D Smullton, Pa. 

Samuel Strayer A Shickley, Neb. 

John W. Stringfellow F Peale, Pa. 

John W. Stuart G . .State College, Pa. 

Jacob W. Sunday B. . . . . .Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa. 

D'aniel R. Sutter E. . . . . . Jx)vington, 111. 

John F. Sutton E 

Edward Swab F Ih. Eagle, Pa. 

Christian Swartz C Bellefonte, Pa. 

Geo. Sweeney D Centre Ilall, Pa. 

Shelum Swineford I Brookville, Pa. 

J. H. Switzer K Bmerick, Madison Co., Neb. 

Eli P. Tate C Yeagertown, Pa. 

ThoP. T. Taylor B Altoona, Pa. 

Wm. L. Taylor G Ilarrisburg, Pa. 

Jas. A. Thompson G . . . . . . Stormstown, Pa. 

Roibert. A. Travis E Tarentum, Pa. 

Zach. Truckenmiller C Zion, Pa. 

John G. TTzzle H Snow Shoe, Pa. 

Johiel VastHnder I Brookville, Pa. 

Simon Vonada D Lewisburg, Pa. 

James W. Van Valin B Hiawatha, Kan. 

Oliver W. Van Valin B Johnsonburg, Pa. 



1 096 THE STORY OF O UR REGIMENT 

NAME. COMPANY. P. O. ADDRESS. 

li. M. Wadding I Brookville, Pa. 

Ira Walker A Orangeville, 111. 

Philip Walker H Snow Shoe, Pa. 

Ezra B. Walter C Hillsdale, Kan. 

G. G. Walters K 266 Park Ave. E., Pittsbur-', 

Pa. 

David H. Wance D. . . . . . Philipsburg, Pa. 

Jas. K. P. Ward C . . Washington, Pa. 

John Ward K . .5140 Butler St., Pittsburg, Pa. 

David H Weaver D . . . . . . Pine Grove Mills, Pa. 

Daniel Weaver A. . . . . .Wolf's Store, Pa. 

W E Weckerly K . . 2000 G Ave., Kearnej, Neb. 

James F. Weidener K. . . . . .Bethlehem, Pa. 

William Weight A . . . . . . Rebersburg, Pa. 

James K. Wells E . . . . . . Plumville, Pa. 

Thos. G. Weirick A Bureau of Public Printing, 

Washington, D. C. 

Ohas. W. Weiser A Burbank, O. 

Henry W. Wentzell K Ridgway, Pa, 

Andrew L. Whitehill . . . . C Lemont, Pa. 

Geo. F. Wiant K Piollett, Pa. 

Geo. A. Wilson H 118 Beaver Ave., Johnstown, 

Pa. 

Eobt. H. Wilson K Wardner, Idaho. 

Uriah Wilson K ISTew Betlilehem, Pa. 

Solomon Wise A . . . . 

David D. Woods. K . .Sandy Ridge, Pa. 

Lebbaeus B. Woods K Surprise, ISTeb. 

D. W. Woodring H Bellefonte, Pa. 

Wm. H. Wortz B Ehronfeld, Cambria Co., Pa. 

Wm. Wyant K Clarion, Pa. 

Miles Wynkoop E Vail, Pa. 

H. H. Yarnell G Connellsville, Pa. 

Joseph Yetters C Hannibal, Mo. 

David II. Young D Aiteh, Pa. 

John B. Zeigler A Swengle, Pa. 

Geo. Zulinger F Chambersburg, Pa. 

Total, 407. 



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